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Placement Information and Exams

Questions about placement not answered by the material below should be addressed to Language Program Director Roberto Rey Agudo. Please check also this  Frequently Asked Questions about studying Portuguese and Spanish at Dartmouth.

Portuguese Language Placement Procedures

Students may place into Portuguese classes by taking the Portuguese Placement Exam on Canvas. Results will be updated on Banner before Advising Day (September 11). All upper-class students who need to take a placement exam can do so by scheduling an individual time for a placement exam with Rodolfo Franconi, or Carlos Cortez Minchillo.

For more general information about language classes, the online exam, and further opportunities for language study, see the department website.

Spanish Class Enrollment Advice

If you studied Spanish prior to matriculation and you would like to continue your studies at Dartmouth, please use these guidelines to figure out which class you should enroll in.

If you have taken the SAT II test:

  • 0 – 410: SPAN 1
  • 420 – 590: SPAN 2
  • 600 – 680: SPAN 3
  • 690 or better: SPAN 9. (Language requirement fulfilled)

If you have taken AP Exams:

  • AP Language 4 or 5: SPAN 9. (Language requirement fulfilled)
  • AP Literature 4: SPAN 9. (Language requirement fulfilled)
  • AP Literature 5: SPAN 20. (Language requirement fulfilled)

If you have taken the British A level exams:

  • “A” on the A level exam: SPAN 20. (Language requirement fulfilled)
  • “B” on the A level exam: SPAN 9. (Language requirement fulfilled)

If you have taken the IB exam:

  • 6 or 7 on the Higher-level IB exam: SPAN 20. (Language requirement fulfilled)

Please note that if you have taken SAT II, AP, British A level or IB exams you do NOT need to take the online placement exam.

Students who do not have SAT II, AP, British A level or IB exam scores must take the Spanish Language Placement Test if they wish to continue with their Spanish studies at Dartmouth. The exam is offered online for incoming first year students from August 3 – September 7. The score you receive will indicate the course for which you should register. All students who place out of SPAN 3 on the placement exam will be required to take an oral exam on campus during fall orientation.

For more general information about language classes, the online exam, and further opportunities for language study, see the department website.

Students who have lived or studied abroad for more than 6 months should contact the Language Program Director for further placement information.

Important placement information for possible LSA participants: if you have taken SPAN 3 on campus or place out of SPAN 3 on the online placement exam, if you score a 4 or 5 on either AP exam, or if you score 690 or better on the SAT II exam, you are overqualified and thus not eligible to apply for the LSA program - but please check out our LSA+ and FSP programs!