Language Testing
The Department of Middle Eastern Studies offers two types of language testing for current and incoming UT students:(1) Placement Exams
(2) Credit-By-Exam Evaluations
Placement Exams
Purpose
All students who have studied a Middle Eastern language at an institution other than UT or have some knowledge of the language, however little and however gained, must take a placement exam before registering for a language class.
A placement exam determines which course in the DMES language sequence is appropriate for a student, based on his/her current level of proficiency. Credit for courses in the sequence that a student places out of may be granted, if so desired.
Format
The exam consists of exercises in listening, reading, and writing, as well as an oral interview with the test proctor. The exam is scheduled for three hours, though participants may finish in less time.
Eligibility
The placement exam is open to any student planning to enroll in a DMES language course in the upcoming semester. Students who completed a DMES language course at UT but did not make a C or better cannot take the placement exam as a substitute for meeting a course prerequisite. Native or heritage speakers seeking to gain credit to fulfill the language requirement for their degree are not eligible to take the placement exam (See Credit-By-Exam below).
Schedule
The next language placement test will take place on August 22nd, 2013. Click here to sign up for the Arabic placement test. For Hebrew, Persian and Turkish, please sign up here. Please contact Katie Aslan at kaslan@austin.utexas.edu if you have questions about language placement.
Arabic Placement Test: 9:00am - 1:00pm, CLA 1.402
Hebrew Placement Test: 9:00am - 12:00pm, MEZ 1.118
Persian Placement Test: 9:00am - 12:00pm, MEZ 1.122
Turkish Placement Test: 9:00am - 12:00pm, MEZ 2.122
Credit-By-Exam Evaluations
Purpose
A credit-by-exam (CBE) evaluation determines which courses in the language sequence a student may claim credit for based on his/her current proficiency level. These evaluations are typically taken by students who wish to fulfill the language requirement or receive credit for one or more courses in the language sequence but DO NOT intend to continue their study of that language at UT.
Format
The exam consists of exercises in reading and writing, as well as a short oral interview if necessary. The exam is scheduled for three hours, though participants may finish in less time.
Eligibility
CBE evaluations are open to any student seeking to gain credit to fulfill the language requirement for his/her degree. Students who are planning to enroll in a DMES language course in the future should not opt for CBE; they should take a placement exam. Students who seek CBE and later decide to enroll in a language course at UT will have to take a separate placement exam (See Placement Exams above).
Schedule
The credit-by-exam is held only ONCE per year in the fall semester, usually in October. The next Credit-By-Exam test will take place in the fall 2013 semester.
Examinees must bring with them a Department-Administered Credit-By-Exam form from the Center for Teaching and Learning at 2616 Wichita St. There is a $20 registration fee and $55 examination fee.
