Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Spanish Placement test?
The Spanish placement test is administered on a computer in the Independent Learning Center (ILC) and consists of a series of questions that increase in difficulty according to the student’s responses. The scores will be used to place students into the appropriate level of Spanish. The test is only for course placement to determine the student’s proficiency in Spanish. No credit will be given. Black Hawk College does not award academic credit for proficiency in a foreign language nor does the College offer proficiency exams in foreign language.

Who is required to take the Spanish Placement Test?
All students enrolling in a Spanish course must take the placement test, unless the student has already taken the previous level of Spanish at Black Hawk College and received a grade of C or higher or if the student had transfer credit for Spanish. Even students who have NOT had Spanish need to take the Spanish Placement Test. The Spanish Placement tests helps instructors balance their classes with students at the same level.

Where can students take the Spanish Placement Test?
Students planning to enroll in a Spanish course should first see an advisor or counselor in the Advising Center to request an Assessment Permit to take the Spanish Placement Test. In order to take the Spanish Placement test, students need to take the completed permit to the Independent Learning Center (ILC) during the hours and dates listed on the back of the permit.

How does a student know which Spanish class to take?
After the student has completed the Spanish Placement Test, the ILC staff will print-out two copies of the student’s test scores. The student should bring his/her copy to the Advising Center for course placement information. The scores will be recorded on a Spanish Placement Test form and submitted to Enrollment Services for entry on SOATEST in Banner. The scores on SOATEST indicate the course level in which the student should enroll (i.e. a score of 101 means the students should enroll in Spanish 101).

Decision Zone "Listening Skills" Spanish Placement Test
If a student scores in a "Decision Zone", they must take an additional "listening skills" placement test available at the ILC. The ILC staff scores the "listening skills" test once the student finishes the test and the results from the "Listening Skills" test determine course placement. See the white box below for placement information for the "Listening Skills" test.

Scores above 495
Students with scores 495-595 can register in advanced level courses: SP 253 and 254. The student is strongly recommended to start in Spanish 253. Students must obtain the instructor’s signature to enroll in SPAN 254.

Can students take a lower level course than the Spanish course placement test indicates?
Students wanting to take a lower level course must obtain the instructor’s approval.

Can students retake the Spanish Placement Test?
A student who does not enroll in a Spanish class after taking the placement test must retake the test again for course placement.

Do students with Grades ‘D’ or ‘F’ need to take the Spanish Placement test again?
Students that have Grades ‘D’ or ‘F’ in Spanish should enroll in the same level to continue their Spanish coursework at Black Hawk College. They do not need to retake the Spanish Placement test.

Mandatory Spanish Course Placement Guidelines
Effective April 2002

Spanish Placement Test Score		Spanish Course Placement
0	269	SPAN 101
270	280	Decision Zone: 101/102 Listening Test  Required *
281	329	SPAN 102
330	340	Decision Zone: 102/201 Listening Test Required *
341	413	SPAN 201
414	424	Decision Zone: 201/202 Listening Test Required *
425	494	SP 202
495	504	Decision Zone:  202/253 Listening Test Required *
505	605	SPAN 253 or see instructor for course placement
605+		Take a foreign language other than Spanish

Spanish Listening Skills Test
*Students with 17-20 correct on the listening test must take the higher level course.