What are the Classics Department Placement Exams?
The Placement Exams in Latin or Greek are designed to assess the student’s mastery of Latin or Greek acquired through prior study. The exam is offered during a two-hour window, but the student should plan to spend about an hour on the exam.
Who should take the exam?
- Students who intend to take Latin or Greek and have had prior study in the language.
- Students who wish to test out of the language requirement.
Do Latin and Greek satisfy General Education requirements?
Two semesters of Beginning Latin (LATN-1010+LATN-1030) or two semesters of Beginning Greek (GREK-1010+GREK-1030) will satisfy the GenEd requirements for foreign languages.
What if I have taken AP Latin?
Students who have earned a score of 3 on the AP Latin Exam will receive 3 credits, the equivalent of one semester of Beginning Latin (LATN-1010). Students who have earned a score of 4 on the AP Latin Exam will receive 6 credits, the equivalent of two semesters of Beginning Latin (LATN-1010+LATN-1030).
Does the Placement Exam give me credit?
Students who place out of one or more levels of a language by taking the Placement Exam do not receive credits for the courses. They have prerequisites waived for advanced courses in those languages. They can, however, satisfy their General Education language requirements if they place out of two semesters of a language.
Can I take an advanced Latin class (LATN-3000 or higher) if I only tested out of one semester?
In most cases students who only tested out of one semester of Beginning Latin should not attempt an advanced Latin class. On a case-by-case basis, exceptions may be made for especially motivated and talented students. Students who earned a 3 on the AP or who tested out of only one semester of Latin may either wait to take LATN-1030 in the Spring semester or, in some cases, may have the prerequisite waived for them to take an advanced Latin course in the Fall semester. They are encouraged to discuss their options with the Chair of the Classics Department, to ensure the best chances of success in their academic goals.
When can I take the Classics Placement Exams?
The Placement Exams are offered four times throughout the academic year, during the 2:00–4:00 pm window on the following dates. Students should look for announcements about the location in the FYI e-mail, or contact a Classics professor to ask.
- Tuesday before first day of classes (usually about August 28th/January 13th).
- Fall Semester: Thursday of the Week of November 11–15
- Spring Semester: Thursday of the Week of February 24–28