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.
If you have any further questions, please contact:
During the summer, please allow several weeks for a response to questions as there are times in which faculty will be out of reach of internet service.
When contacting Language Coordinators, make sure that the following information is included:
General program and placement information for Latin (LAT) and Ancient Greek (GR):
Professor Bradley Ault (clarbrad@buffalo.edu)
General program and placement information for Modern Hebrew (HEB):
Professor Sergey Dolgopolski, (sergey@buffalo.edu)
Students may send a message to lin-info@buffalo.edu to make inquiries about language placement.
General program information and placement information form for Romance languages and literatures.
General program and placement information for Mohawk and Seneca (AMS 197/AMS 276)*: Professor Theresa McCarthy (tm59@buffalo.edu)
*Please note these languages are not currently included in the Global Pathway Language Track.
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
Students who wish to take a sample test in preparation for the exam can access one at PLACE Sample Tests
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.
If you are encountering any issues with the accessibility of this exam, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources.
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 business days, and refreshed every morning at 3:00 a.m.
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, please contact:
| Avant PLACE Placement Score | Register in the following course |
| 1 | Contact the Chinese Program: chinese-placement@buffalo.edu FR/ITA/SPA 111 |
| 2 | FR/ITA/SPA 112 |
| 2 or 3 | CHI 114 |
| 3 or 4 | FR/ITA/SPA 151 |
| 4 | CHI 201 |
| 5 | CHI 202 FR/ITA/SPA 152 |
| 6 | Contact the Chinese Program: |