Spanish Placement Testing
Placement testing ensures you enroll in the appropriate Spanish level. To take the Spanish Placement Test (or another language), self-enroll in the Spanish Placement Exam Canvas course using the link on the right side of the screen.
Choosing the correct level is essential. Prior experience—such as high school coursework or time spent speaking Spanish—directly affects your learning and starting point.
Students who are bilingual, heritage learners, or who regularly use Spanish in social settings should enroll in the Heritage Learner sequence: SPAN 1210, 1220, 2210, and 2220. A survey and placement test in the Canvas course will help guide placement.
For English speakers learning Spanish, the language offers global utility, career advantages, and cultural enrichment. With over 550 million speakers, Spanish is widely used in travel and business. It is also relatively accessible due to shared Latin roots and phonetic consistency, while supporting cognitive development. The recommended sequence is: Spanish Placement Test, SPAN 1110, SPAN 1210, SPAN 2110.
The Spanish Placement Test is required for all incoming students pursuing the Applied Spanish Minor or BA in Spanish. Results are used by faculty to determine appropriate course placement and support first-semester success.
Important Details
- The test cannot be failed, but you should do your best for accurate placement.
- The exam is timed (45–60 minutes) and must be completed in one sitting.
- Once started, it cannot be paused or restarted.
Exam Components
- Background questions
- Illustrated reading passages
- Reading comprehension (multiple choice)
If unsure, it is better to leave a question blank than guess.
BA Requirements at WNMU
Complete 9 upper-division credit hours, including:
- SPAN 2220 (Heritage IV) – 3 credits
- SPAN 303 (Intro to Culture & Advanced Grammar) – 3 credits
- OR BLED 431 (Language Arts) – 3 credits
For questions, contact Dr. Gregory A. Robinson, Spanish Program Director, at gregory.robinsonguerra@wnmu.edu You may meet via Zoom or schedule office hours.