Placement Test

If you have not yet studied German: Register for German 1.

If you have not taken the CEEB AP German Language and Culture exam or scored lower than 5 on it: Take the German placement test and register for the course that corresponds to your score on the test.

If you scored 5 on the CEEB AP German exam: You are exempt from German 3, and you could take German 10.00, 10.01, 10.02, and/or 10.03. You should nonetheless take the placement test and discuss your score with the German Studies Language Program Director, Professor Nicolay Ostrau.

If you scored 720 or higher on the SAT German Test (GM) or German with Listening Test (GL): You are exempt from German 3, and you could take German 10.00, 10.01, 10.02, and/or 10.03. You should nonetheless take the placement test and discuss your score with the German Studies Language Program Director, Professor Nicolay Ostrau. 

The 20- to 40-minute test is offered online, for incoming first-year Dartmouth students only, starting August 3. You should only take the test once. It consists of a series of multiple-choice questions involving issues of grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.

Take the test.

1. Login to the German Placement Test website.
2. Enter your name, email address, Dartmouth ID number, and create a new password.
3. Click "Begin" and follow the instructions.
4. When you have completed the exam, click "Finished." You will see your score in the form of a number.

Take the test.

The score you receive on the test corresponds to one of our introductory, intermediate, or advanced language courses.

• below 300: Begin with German 1 (First-semester level).
• 300-399: Begin with German 2 (Second-semester level).
• 400-499: Begin with German 3 (Third-semester level).
• 500-599: You are exempt from German 3, and you could begin with German 10.00, 10.01, 10.02, or 10.03 (Fourth-semester level).
• 600 and above — You are exempt from German 3, and you could begin with German 10.00, 10.01, 10.02, or 10.03 (Fourth-semester level). To learn which higher-level courses may be appropriate, take the placement test and discuss your score with the German Studies Language Program Director, Professor Nicolay Ostrau.

Register for the course indicated by your score. You can access your placement information on BannerStudent before the registration period. If you have questions, please contact Professor Nicolay Ostrau.

The German placement exam is to be completed in accordance with the Dartmouth College Academic Honor Principle. Every student who applies to and is accepted by Dartmouth College has agreed to abide by the provisions of the Honor Principle as long as he or she remains a student at the College.

Please note the following provision of the Honor Principle: Any student giving or receiving assistance during an examination or quiz violates the Academic Honor Principle. Students are therefore expected to take the German placement exam on their own, without help from others or from a reference source, and to do so to the best of their ability.