Placement

For the Class of 2026: The series of three, one-term elementary courses in ​French (French 1, 2, and 3) or Italian (Italian 1, 2, and 3) gives students the foundations they need in the language and, if they enter the language program at the elementary level, allows them to satisfy Dartmouth's language requirement. For those who are exempt from the 1, 2, 3 sequence, a single course such as French 8 -- Exploring French Culture and Language -- or Italian 9 – Language Through Culture – fulfills the College requirement.  Please see further details on the Language Requirement here.

For the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025: The 1, 2, 3 series of elementary courses in ​French or Italian allows students to satisfy Dartmouth's language requirement.  Students are then able to move on to intermediate courses in French (French 8, Exploring French Culture and Language and French 10, ​Introduction to French Literature) or in Italian (Italian 9, Language Through Culture, and Italian 10, Introduction to Italian Literature).  

Details regarding placement in language classes are provided below.  For more information, please contact our Language Program Directors: Professor Brigitte Mosenthal for French and Professor Tania Convertini for Italian. 

FRENCH COURSE PLACEMENT

The number of previous courses taken in the language, and/or scores ​on​ the SAT II Subject Test or the CEEB Advanced Placement examination, will be used to determine placement:

French 1:  A score of 0-530 on the SAT II Subject Test

French 2:  A score of 540-600 on the SAT II Subject Test or completion of three or more years of French courses in high school

French 3:  A score of 610-710 on the SAT II Subject Text or a score of 4 on the AP

Incoming first-year students who do not have a placement in a French course level based on their SAT II or AP scores should take the French Placement 2026 exam. It is available on Canvas from August 1 to September 2. For any questions, please contact Professor Brigitte Mosenthal.

EXEMPTION FROM THE FRENCH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT (FRENCH 1, 2, 3):

The following scores/grades will exempt students from the Classes of '23, '24 and '25 from the Language Requirement:

1. A score of 5 on the CEEB Advanced Placement examination.

2. A score of 720 or higher on the SAT II Subject Test.

3. A grade of 6 or 7 on the Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB).

4. A grade of "A" on the British A-Level.

Exemption from French 8: Dartmouth's Advanced Proficiency Exam

Entering students who have been exempted from French 1, 2, and 3 are eligible to take the Advanced Proficiency Exam (APE) during New Student Orientation in September.   APE Registration

The APE exam helps determine student readiness for classes centered on culture, literature, and history that assume good knowledge of French language. A score of 90% places you out of the intermediate course French 8 (Exploring French Culture and Language), and into French 10 (Introduction to French Literature). French 10 is the first course that counts toward a minor in French or a major in French, French Studies or Romance Languages.  

The APE exam takes about an hour, and you do not need to prepare; it seeks to determine your current level. You will receive the results of your exam in time, so that you can register for the right level course when making your course selections. 

ITALIAN COURSE PLACEMENT

The number of previous courses taken in the language, and/or scores on the SAT II Subject Test or the CEEB Advanced Placement examination, will be used to determine placement:

Italian 1:  A score of 0-530 on the SAT II Subject Text

Italian 2:  A score of 540-600 on the SAT II subject test or completion of three or more years of Italian courses in high school

Italian 3:  A score of 610-710 on the SAT II Subject Test or a score of 4 on the AP

Incoming first-year students who do not have a placement in an Italian course level based on their SAT II or AP scores can take the Online Written and Oral Exam from August 1 -August 31. For any questions, please contact Professor Tania Convertini.

Exemption from the Italian Language Requirement (Italian 1, 2, 3)

The following scores/grades will exempt students from the Classes of '23, '24 and '25 from the Language Requirement:

1. A score of 5 on the CEEB Advanced Placement examination.

2. A score of 720 or higher on the SAT II Subject Test.

 

Italian Advanced Placement Additional Information

Students interested in seeking Advanced Placement in Italian should inquire with Professor Tania Convertini at tania.convertini@dartmouth.edu.

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