Latin Placement Exam

The Latin Placement Exam is available online to any student at Washington University and to entering freshmen who have a university ID number. All students planning to register for their first Latin course at Washington University must take the exam and can do so at any time of year. High school coursework and/or completion of the AP Latin exam are not sufficient to determine placement.

The objects of the placement exam are to introduce incoming students to the expectations of the Latin program at Washington University, to place each student in a course at the right level, and to group together students with similar abilities so that each course will be as productive as possible. For all these reasons, exam-takers must not use a grammar or dictionary during the exam, although many find it helpful to review beforehand and all are encouraged to do so. The exam, which should take about one hour to complete, consists of 40 multiple-choice questions on basic grammar and 30 multiple-choice questions on the syntax of short sentences. It is not designed to test vocabulary, although command of basic vocabulary will be important to success with the questions.

The exam is located at https://asapps.artsci.wustl.edu/flpe/. Use a computer with a high-speed connection. Problems have arisen for students who try to take the exam on a Mac, so exam-takers are advised to use a PC. Be sure to take the exam in a quiet place where you can focus. Use your Washington University ID and use the password "test" to begin. Exam results will be displayed (briefly) on the screen when you have finished, and will be recorded and archived by the Classics Department. If you do not see the results, or if you have any other problems or questions while taking the exam, you can contact the Classics Department administrator, Cathy Marler (cmmarler@artsci.wustl.edu). The four-year advisors of all incoming students are provided with placement recommendations so that they can assist in registration. Students who wish to discuss their exam results or placement are encouraged to consult with the Latin instructors for the semester in question, and/or with the placement exam administrator, Professor Cathy Keane (ckeane@ wustl.edu). For information on particular Latin courses in the Classics Department, see the course listings linked to the departmental website.

Students seeking to obtain back credit after taking the AP Latin Exam need to complete a 300-level Latin class at Washington University with a grade of B or better. Back credits in Latin are not applicable toward the Classics major or minor requirements.