<p>So I just took the French placement exam and I scored a 526, 97 points over the 429 needed to qualify for the department exam. I say this not to brag but because I was shocked by this. I did take five years of French with my last year being AP French but the French program at my school is definitely not the best. I was so sure of my own failings that I was convinced that there was no way I could get a 4 let alone a 5 on the exam, hell, maybe not even a 3, that I didn't even sign up for the exam. I think the reason for my success on the online placement exam was because, firstly, it was all multiple choice, which, while I may not be able to remember should I use a preposition or not on my own I can figure out the answer when presented with options. Secondly, I am a far better reader of French than I am a speaker, writer, or listener. Since I am sure that French classes at Penn test all four skills, one can understand my concern. While I want to do well in French and I would like to become as proficient as possible and take as many French classes as I can, I also don't want a terrible beginning to college French that will screw up my GPA for years.</p>
<p>My question then becomes, how difficult is French 140? What is the format of this class? I know that it says that you can not take classes below your placement, if deemed necessary, how would one go about this? Also, should I take the department exam? On one hand it would be nice to be finished with the language requirement but on the other hand if I am not ready for French 140 there is no way I am ready for 200 level French classes. If yes, what is the department exam like? Is there writing, listening, speaking, reading parts? free response and/or multiple choice?</p>
<p>Sorry this was so long and thanks ahead of time for any replies. They are much appreciated!</p>
<p>Switching levels within the language classes towards the beginning of the semester is relatively easy and the professors are pretty flexible.</p>
<p>I don’t know about the French placement exam specifically, but when I took the Chinese placement exam, reading, writing, speaking, and reading were all parts of it.</p>
<p>When I took the French placement test two years ago it was just an online test that was mostly if not entirely multiple choice. From what I remember it tested grammar (the different tenses and appropriate uses of them, conjugations, etc.) as well as reading comprehension. I don’t think there was a speaking/listening component, although I placed into 140 (don’t know if you would need to prove complete proficiency if you’re trying to place out entirely)</p>
<p>I found 140 to be pretty straightforward. I took French all through junior and senior high (finished off with IB French ab initio) and the majority of the concepts I had already learned; 140 just helped me become much more comfortable with the grammar and with listening/speaking. The class is conducted entirely in French. When I took it, it was framed as a “journey” to different French speaking countries (Senegal, Martinique, Morocco, and…one other?) so for each region we would learn vocab and apply grammar concepts relating to the culture of the region.</p>
<p>Somewhat off topic, but does the UPenn French Placement Exam take timing into consideration? I walked alway for a while when I was taking it and I think my score was a bit lower than it could have been, however, I didn’t try too hard on a few of the reading passages…</p>
<p>@rundmc: You can take the placement test online. Here’s the link:
[Romance</a> Languages :: French Studies :: The Language Requirement in French :: Online Placement Exam](<a href=“French and Francophone Studies”>French and Francophone Studies)</p>