German

The German placement test is available online continuously over the summer until Friday, September 2011.

The German Orientation will be held from 2-3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14 in Kresge 2-500.

Validation of Proficiency Testing will be by individual invitation.

Before registering for German courses at Northwestern, you must take the online German placement exam unless any of the following applies to you:

  • Your AP exam score in German is a 4 or higher.You've satisfied the Weinberg foreign language requirement in German. We encourage you to continue your German studies at Northwestern. Please contact Franziska Lys, director of undergraduate studies in the Department of German, at 847-491-8298 or flys@northwestern.edu before registering for 200- or 300-level courses.
  • Your AP exam score in German is a 3. To satisfy the Weinberg foreign language requirement in German, only one course is required. Choose from the following: Introduction to Literature (GERMAN 201-3); Intermediate Grammar and Composition (GERMAN 205-1 or 205-2); or Intermediate German Language (GERMAN 102-3), offered in spring quarter only.
  • You took high school German for one year or less. To continue your German studies at Northwestern, register for GERMAN 101-1, offered in fall quarter only.

All other first-year or transfer students who plan to take German must take the on-line placement exam before registering for courses in the fall.

The online placement exam should be taken over the summer. There are many advantages to taking the on-line exam as early as possible in the summer:

  • You'll get your score in time to learn about the course in which you'll begin.
  • You can take the exam when you feel ready.
  • You can take the time you need to complete the exam.
  • You can work in a quiet, relaxed testing environment.

By taking the placement exam during the summer, you'll get your results before Wildcat Welcome. If you receive a very high score, an oral interview and a written composition will be required to validate your level of proficiency. Franziska Lys in the Department of German will notify you of the time and place for taking the validation exam, which will determine whether you have satisfied the Weinberg foreign language requirement and/or qualify for 200- or 300-level German courses.

If you need additional information, please attend the September 15 orientation session or contact Franziska Lys in the Department of German at 847-491-8298 or write to flys@northwestern.edu.