Language Placement Testing

Correct placement in foreign language courses is an important consideration for UB students and for teachers of foreign languages.  

The purpose of the placement exam is to determine the first UB course for those who will study a foreign language to which they have had previous exposure. We are currently offering placement exams for Chinese, French, Italian, Kreyol and Spanish through Avant PLACE. 

The exam is taken only once per language and should be completed within 40 minutes. The exam includes sections on reading comprehension, contextualized grammar, and writing. It utilizes actual cultural texts and audio students would encounter in the real world such as articles, advertisements, and news.

On this page:

Who Should Take the Exam

  • Students who studied Chinese, French, Italian or Spanish in a classroom, or other formal setting, for more than a year
  • Students who used Chinese, French, Kreyol, Italian or Spanish at home
  • Students who lived in a place where Chinese, French, Kreyol, Italian or Spanish was spoken

Who Should Not Take the Exam

  1. If you plan to start with a new language that you have never studied, do not take a placement exam. You should register for the 101 course in that language. Undergraduate Catalog
  2. If you have college credit for foreign language courses, check your HUB for articulation and register in the appropriate next course level. 
    • Note: If you received 999 articulation or there is no current articulation agreement, check with your academic advisor and/or TAURUS to request an articulation for the courses.
  3. If you received credit for AP, IB, CLEP language exams, check HUB and/or the Alternative Exam/Credit section in TAURUS to determine the appropriate course level to register at UB.

If you have any further questions, please contact:   

Getting Started With Your Exam

Once you fill out the form below, you will receive an email with the special UB log-in and instructions for the test. Enter the Test Code and Password (provided via email) as well as your full name and UB email address

Steps for Taking the Exam

  1. Determine whether you are eligible to take the placement exam
  2. Review the technology requirements and sample practice tests.  Note: For those taking the Chinese exam, please make sure you have the ability to type Chinese characters on your device before beginning the exam.
  3. Complete the form below to receive link to exam
  4. Enter the Test Code and Password provided via email
  5. Create account on AVANT site with your UB email address and UB 8-digit person number
  6. Take the exam and wait for your results

Sample Practice Tests

Students who wish to take a sample test in preparation for the exam can access one at PLACE Sample Tests

Technology Requirements

Review the AVANT Technology Guide to ensure your system meets the required configuration for completing the test. Use the AVANT Tech Check before taking the test.

If you do not have access to the technology required to complete this exam, please contact rll-info@buffalo.edu for French, Italian, and Spanish, and lin-info@buffalo.edu for Chinese.

Accessibility

If you are encountering any issues with the accessibility of this exam, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources

Test Results

Results for the test will be uploaded to HUB which will trigger an email to students indicating the test results and the course for which they have to register.    Avant test scores are also available inside of the Admissions tab of Student Services Center of HUB or the Class Info tab of Navigate.

Test results will be uploaded during week days as soon as they ready from Avant, from 3-7 days, and refreshed every morning at 3:00 AM.  

Note on winter break 2021-2022:  No placement exam results will be uploaded from Dec 21, 2021-Jan 3, 2022.

It is important that the student’s UB person number and UB email are entered correctly in all the pertinent spaces requested for the test; incorrect information will delay the notification process. 

If you do not see your results in HUB or receive results via email within 9 working days after taking the test,

Contact: 

Use Test Results to Register

Avant PLACE Placement Score Register in the following course
1 Contact the Chinese Program:
chinese-placement@buffalo.edu
FR/ITA/SPA 101
2 or 3
CHI/FR/ITA/SPA 104
4 CHI 201, FR/ITA/SPA 151
5 CHI 202, FR/ITA/SPA 152
6

Contact the Chinese Program:
chinese-placement@buffalo.edu
Contact RLL faculty advisor at
rll-info@buffalo.edu for FR/ITA/SPA 200-level or above placement

Language Placement Questionnaire