Language Placement
Fulfilling the Language Requirement
For all students - including first-year students and transfer students:
To fulfill the Weinberg Language Requirement in French or to enroll in French classes for the first time, please follow the instructions below.
| If you have... | |
|---|---|
| Advanced proficiency (ex: French baccalauréat, lycée, or your education has been predominately in French): | Please follow the policy to demonstrate your proficiency. We encourage you to continue your French studies at Northwestern. For placement into advanced French courses, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Cynthia Nazarian. |
| IB French Language A score of 6 or 7: | Congratulations! You have satisfied the Weinberg Language Proficiency Requirement in French. We encourage you to continue your studies in French at Northwestern. Please consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Cynthia Nazarian, with questions. |
|
A score of 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) French Language and Culture Exam: |
Congratulations! You have satisfied the Weinberg Language Proficiency Requirement in French. We encourage you to continue your French studies at Northwestern. You may automatically register for French 210, 211, or 300-309. More advanced options may be possible for your individual level: please consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Cynthia Nazarian, with questions. |
| A score of 4 on the Advanced Placement (AP) French Language and Culture Exam: | Great! Welcome to the French Language Program. You can register for French 201 (offered in Fall only). When you complete this course with a grade of C- or above, you will have fulfilled the WCAS language requirement. Please contact the placement coordinator, Prof. Dominique Licops, with questions. |
| A score of 1, 2, or 3 on the Advanced Placement (AP) French Language and Culture Exam or prior knowledge or study of French: | Great! Welcome to the French Language Program. You NEED to take the French Placement Test, which will place you in the appropriate course for your level. Please contact the placement coordinator, Prof. Dominique Licops, with questions. |
| Never studied any French before: | Welcome to the French Language Program. You DO NOT NEED to take the placement test. You may register for 111-1 Elementary French (offered only in the Fall). You will need to complete six courses to satisfy the Weinberg Language Proficiency Requirement in French. Please contact the placement coordinator, Prof. Dominique Licops, with questions. |
French online placement test
For first-year and transfer students:
Please consult the table above for placement. If you need to take the online placement test, it must be completed by July 31st.
The French placement test is given online only.
Taking the placement test by July 31st will ensure that:
- Your results will be posted online by August 15th and will show which course to register for, or you will be asked to complete a validation test. This will help you plan your schedule.
- You can take the test when you feel ready.
- You can take the time you need to complete the test.
- You can work in a quiet, relaxed testing environment.
Taking the test during the Academic Year:
If you take the French Placement Test during the academic year, your results will be posted on the placement test website within 72 hours or your submission. If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dominique Licops.
Before you take the placement test, please read carefully:
- The purpose of the placement test is to place you in the course that best fits your current level of proficiency. You have two hours to complete the test and must do so in one sitting. This two-hour window is designed to include students who receive the accommodation of extra time on tests.
- Answer each question honestly and to the best of your ability, without the help of any tool, dictionary, online translator, AI device, or person. We are interested in what YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN. If you do not know the answer to an item, do not be discouraged. This exam is intended to differentiate levels from first- to third-year college French.
- It is not possible for you to place out of the language requirement on the basis of the online placement test alone. If your level is high enough to validate your proficiency, you will be asked to come for an in-person validation of proficiency that consists of an oral interview and written exercises. If you use any type of help, beware that your placement results may place you in a course that is not appropriate to your proficiency level. This will not only create a difficult situation for you but may also lead to referral to the Assitant Dean for Academic Integrity.
- The French Placement Test is valid for one year. Students who receive their results in Fall have up to and including the following Fall to take the recommended course. For any questions, email Prof. Dominique Licops.
Click Here To Take the Placement Test
validation test
The validation test consists of an oral interview and a short writing test (fill in the blank and written composition). You will receive a Canvas invitation to complete the written part.
The validation determines:
- Whether you have satisfied the Weinberg foreign language requirement.
- For which course you can register.
Oral interviews will be conducted on Zoom or in person as indicated below.
For first-year and transfer students:
- You will receive an invitation to the Canvas placement site in early September.
- Dates of oral interviews:
- September 10th, 2026
- Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Location: on Zoom (you have to sign up via the Canvas placement test site you are invited to
The results will be posted to the online placement test website at the latest by Wednesday, September 16th at 5:00pm.
Validation Test during the Academic Year:
Other than during Wildcat Welcome, validation interviews will be held by appointment only. Once you have retrieved your placement exam results online, if it indicates validation, please email Prof. Dominique Licops. You will be invited to the Canvas placement site to do the written part, and to schedule an appointment for the interview.
sample placement test questions
- No preparation is needed for the placement test, since it measures your French level at the time that you take it.
- To familiarize yourself with the format of the test, you can review these sample questions.
for closed courses
- Regularly check CAESAR since seats often open after registration.
- If the course section for which you would like to enroll remains closed, please send an email with the section number and a screenshot of your CAESAR schedule to the Director of Language Program (DLP), Prof. Margaret Dempster, (m-dempster@northwestern.edu) as well as to the coordinator of the course (if it is a multi-section course: 111, 121, 125) or the instructor of the course (115, 201, 202). Information about the coordinators is included in course descriptions in CAESAR and is on the FRIT Course Information page.
for more information
If you need additional information, please contact Prof. Dominique Licops.