<p>Could someone please tell me about the online placement exam for Spanish? Are they looking for specific points of grammar, correct conjugation of irregular verbs, ser vs. estar and por vs. para scenarios, reading comprehension, or something else besides? And should I expect to write long passages, or simply answer questions of the multiple choice/fill in the blank variety? Is there some sort of invaluable study aid, whether online or textual that would help? Thanks!</p>
<p>you won't be asked to write anything, it's pretty much all multiple choice involving grammar and reading comprehension. (i'm basing this off the french test, i'm assuming they're similar).</p>
<p>Actually, the French test did have a short writing section as well as fill in the blanks and MC. There was also a listening section that was incredibly easy (and you can listen to everything as many times as you want). I presume Spanish would be pretty similar.</p>
<p>Two things:
1. Asking or offering information on the placement exam is illegal.
2. Just take the exam. Look briefly (and I stress "briefly) at a Spanish textbook or AP prep book to make sure you don't forget anything too obvious. Take the exam and see where it places you (101-1, 115-1, 102-1, 102-3, 199). If you try to beat the test by having a textbook open while you take the exam, be aware that those who place into 199 and fulfill their foreign language requirement will be retested during new student week in true test conditions. There also is a verbal exam for those who place out of 2 years of a foreign language. So those who do very well at home, but do horribly on campus show NU that they cheated...not a good note to start one's career on.</p>
<p>So don't worry about it. Prepare a little bit so the test accurate assesses your abilities, but take the test honestly and see what happens. Being placed in 115-1 and acing the early classes isn't the cruelest of fates.</p>