During the registration process for the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE), all students acknowledge that they understand the following LPE retake policy:
Course placement requirements and prerequisites apply to all courses, including fourth semester.
Additional Information
Students enrolled in 1004
You will have the opportunity to take the LPE at the end of 1004.
If you do not pass the LPE during 1004, you can still fulfill your CLA Second Language Requirement by earning a C- or better in the course. If you earn a C- or better in the course, you may take the LPE at a later date or retake any portions of the LPE you failed.
Incoming freshman or transfer students
If you have language skills equivalent to two years (or four semesters) of college-level instruction, you may try to test out of your CLA Second Language Requirement by attempting the LPE prior to taking your first language course at the University of Minnesota.
If you pass the LPE, you fulfill your CLA Second Language Requirement and may register for third-year language courses.
If you do not pass the LPE, your language requirement is to earn a C- (or S) or better in a fourth semester course.
For course placement into French, German, Hindi, Somali, Spanish or Urdu: You need to take the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT) in order to place into the correct language course. The EPT is the prerequisite for taking second-year language courses (1003 or 1004 in French, German, or Spanish) or the accelerated course (SMLI 1225 for Somali). Vietnamese is available as a self-assessment and proficiency tool.
For course placement into languages without an EPT: You need to contact the appropriate language department and follow their course placement procedures. Visit Course Placement for Languages to learn more.