Updated March 2025
Overview
The Yale Spanish Placement Test will be administered online. The Spanish Placement Test’s sole purpose is to place you correctly in the proper level so that you will get the most out of your academic experience in one of our courses. Your test will be evaluated by our department and you will be placed in the appropriate level. The test is to be taken by you without any outside help or access to resources or materials. All students, including native speakers, who have been exposed to Spanish whether formally or informally, who wish to enroll in a Spanish language course must take the placement test.
DO NOT take the Spanish Placement Test if:
• You have never studied Spanish. You may enroll in SPAN 110 directly.
• You received a 5 on the AP Spanish Language OR Literature exam.
• You received a 6 on the high level IB exam.
General and Heritage Placement Tests
• Students who studied Spanish as a foreign language will take the General Placement Test.
• Spanish heritage language learners (those who grew up in a family where Spanish was spoken) will take the Heritage Test.
Once you have logged in through the placement test links (on the Canvas placement course), you will see links for both tests to choose from.
For questions regarding the general or heritage language placement test, please contact Jorge Méndez-Seijas.
View the placement testing page for further information about placement testing and the use of placement scores at Yale.