Placement guidelines for language classes

 

If you plan to study Spanish or Portuguese at UCSB the following information will help you determine your entering level of Spanish and/or Portuguese.

 

1. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Students who have taken some High School Spanish courses but did not take the AP test or scored lower than 3: Take the Spanish Placement Exam.


All exams are given at 9:00 AM in Kerr Hall 2160


Exam dates for Spring 08
Wednesday April 9, 2008
Wednesday May 7, 2008
Wednesday June 4, 2008


A score of 3 or higher fulfills GE’s completely

The score received on the placement exam correlates with the number of the course that the student passes out of (e.g  4 on exam = student passes out of Spanish 4).


If you miss the exam you can also follow these general equivalencies:

 

Years of High School Study in a Language

Normal University
Course Equivalency

Placement in
University Courses

1

Span 0

Span1

2

Span 1

Span 2

3

Span 1,2

Span 3

4

Span 1,2,3

Span 4 or 5

5

Span 1,2,3,4,5

Span 5 or 6

 

2. STUDENTS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE AP EXAM

    • A score of 3 places the student into Spanish 6
    • A score of 4 or 5 places the student into Spanish 25
    • A score of 3 or higher on either AP Spanish exam fulfills GE requirement (Area B)

For majors, only AP Spanish Language scores count; there is no equivalent for AP Spanish Literature.

 

3. STUDENTS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE SAT II

 

A score of 570 or above passes the student out of Spanish 3 (no other scores have been established).

 

4. TRANSFER STUDENTS

For transfer students who have taken Spanish at an institution with semesters: 1 semester = 1 ½ quarters at UCSB

    • After 1 semester, enroll in Spanish 2 or 3 at UCSB
    • After 2 semesters, enroll in Spanish 4 at UCSB
    • After 3 semesters, enroll in Spanish 5 or 6 at UCSB
    • After 4 semesters, enroll in Spanish 25 at UCSB

5. PORTUGUESE STUDENTS


Portuguese Students with no prior experience in Portuguese should take Portuguese 1. Students with some background in Portuguese, either in high school, study abroad, or native speakers, should consult the Language Program Director, Laura Marqués-Pascual, Phelps 4323.

 

6. NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKERS


Students who either learned Spanish at home or abroad and are proficient in spoken Spanish and can read and write but have not taken formal Spanish classes, take Spanish 16A. This includes students who were raised in a Spanish speaking environment, have lived in a Spanish speaking country for an extended period of time (more than three years), and speak the language with some members of their family and friends.