<p>Hi, I'm an incoming student of the class of 2010.</p>
<p>Though I took four years of Latin in high school, I decided not to bother with the AP or SAT II tests for the language since I then intended to just take another language at Columbia, like French. Now, however, I'm beginning to think that it'd be best to simply get the requirement out of the way, meaning that I would have to take the placement test. Has anyone in this forum done this? If so, I'd like to know the basics (for the Latin version). Is a dictionary allowed? Does it focus mostly on grammar, or are there some vocabulary or even culture-oriented questions?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The language tests vary by department. I don't know anything of the Latin one, but the French and Italian ones involved grammar questions and short translations. There are few or no culture questions; this is primarily to assess language skill. The French one was electronic.</p>
<p>My advice would be to try the AP if you still can- I only got a 4 on the Latin 5 (Ovid and Catullus) one and it got me out of the language requirement (most AP exemptions at Columbia require 5s). </p>
<p>Or go for a language. It's a ridiculously easy way to earn 4 credits, and a welcome break from other, large or difficult classes. You'll make friends and get a good grade, almost guaranteed. I highly recommend German; it's the best department I've experienced here.</p>