<p>I have two semesters of Intermediate French from my first school. After receiving my credit transfer report from Georgetown, it seems that how these french courses will transfer depends on the French placement test results. What is the format of these tests and how hard are they generally speaking? If I do badly on the exam, will the intermediate courses transfer as Elementary? Evaluating 1 year of my hard work with a single test after a long summer seems very unfair.</p>
<p>It’s been awhile, so my memory is a bit hazy, but I did take the French placement test and I can tell you that it was 100% written (no oral component, which is strange because the proficiency exams are oral). If I remember correctly, there were a number of reading comprehension type questions, some grammar questions (most multi-choice) and then some vocabulary stuff. The whole thing took less than 90 minutes.</p>
<p>I really wouldn’t stress about the test. You can study for it if you want, but there’s no point in cramming. The test is designed to see where you stand, and doing really well on it isn’t really a benefit. If you do better than you “should” that just means that you end up in a language class you aren’t prepared for, and you’ll probably struggle. Of course, if you do really poorly, you could end up in a class that’s way too easy for you, be bored, and be further away from the proficiency exam, but just keep in mind that the test is designed with the knowledge that you haven’t been taking French all summer. It does its job fairly well.</p>
<p>^and what French were you eventually placed in? Did you think it was an appropriate placement? How did you do?</p>
<p>I had five years of French in high school and did a 3-week summer immersion program after sophomore year. There was no more French left for me senior year, so it had been a long time since my last French class when I got to Georgetown. I did well on the placement test and placed into 151 (advanced grammar and writing) which is basically the highest level you can place into. The class was hard, probably a little too hard for me given my rustiness, and I fought my way to a B+ (the lowest grade I ever earned at Georgetown). On the plus side, after 151 you’re allowed to take the placement test and I passed, finishing off my language requirement (I’ve never much cared for languages).</p>
<p>I guess the question is, would I have been better off if I had done a little worse on the test and ended up in 102 (Advanced French II). I probably would’ve gotten an A in that class (which would have been nice), but I would’ve had to take a full year of French before the proficiency exam. That would have, frankly, “bummed me out” as they say. On the whole, I think I ended up in the best class for me.</p>
<p>^ can you tell me what was the format of the test? Was there some essay writing portion?</p>
<p>No essay. As I said above it is all written, though, but I’m a bit fuzzy on the details. It’s mostly multi choice/short answer.</p>
<p>^I was asking because in the instructions it says that we will be required to type words with appropriate accents. This made me think that there would be a good amount of writing. How long are the short answers? sorry for so many questions.</p>
<p>it’s a lot of fill in the blank stuff, like mostly words, sometimes questions. otherwise it’s multiple choice. no essay. it really did seem to be nicely suited for placement, starting off with the easiest of present tense conjugations and progressing to reading comprehension multiple choice. bonne chance!</p>
<p>^uggghh, I just took it and I did terribly! 70.5 out of 151. Maybe unnecessary punctuation did this, the test counts the answers wrong even if there’s an accent missing or something. I think this places me in Advanced French I and if this is really so, then I have nothing to complain about.</p>
<p>Also, if the class you are placed into really is too hard or easy for you, most professors are extremely accommodating and will put you in the level you desire.
Don’t sweat it, unless you just want to pass the requirement as soon as possible.</p>