Spanish placement policy and test
The following information is intended to facilitate your placement in the correct Spanish course.
General Spanish Language program policies
The Basic Spanish Language Program (BSLP) consists of first- and second-year Spanish language instruction. The program consists of two, four-credit first-year courses (SPAN 111 and SPAN 112) and two, three-credit second-year courses (SPAN 211 and SPAN 212). These courses are not intended for native or heritage Spanish speakers. All four Spanish courses corresponding to the first two years (SPAN 111, 112, 211 and 212) must be taken in sequential order; you may not enroll in more than one of these courses during the same semester.
If you want to register for two or more consecutive face-to-face courses during the summer sessions and the fall semester (ex. SPAN 111 face-to-face in the first summer session, SPAN 112 face-to-face in the second summer session, and SPAN 211 in the fall), please email Mark Kay to waive the course prerequisites and to give you permission to enroll in the higher numbered course(s) based on your enrollment in the first course.
If you plan to take upper-division Spanish courses, or to minor/major in Spanish or Spanish translation, you should consult with an undergraduate Spanish advisor before enrolling in 300-level courses or above.
Placement in the first- and second-year Spanish courses are based on the following criteria:
Placement for students without prior knowledge of Spanish
Students who have never studied Spanish do not need to take a placement test and should enroll in SPAN 111. Please contact the department for permission to enroll.
Placement for students with prior knowledge of Spanish
If you are a heritage speaker of Spanish who attended high school in the United States, you may not enroll in SPAN 111, 112, 211, or 212. Instead, you must contact Heritage language Spanish advisor Roberto Ortiz at ortizr@unr.edu to be placed in SPAN 226 or SPAN 227. Completion of SPAN 227 satisfies the College of Liberal Arts Language requirement and, if you declare a minor in Spanish, counts towards minor requirements.
If you are an advanced native speaker who attended high school or college in a Spanish-speaking country, you may enroll in 300-level courses or above, after consulting with the Heritage language Spanish advisor Roberto Ortiz at ortizr@unr.edu.
Students who have studied Spanish previously must take a Spanish Placement Test. Placement may be modified by the department following consultation with the placement advisor. We offer both an in-person placement test (CAPE) and an online placement test (Avant).
Based on your placement score, you will be able to enroll in the specific Spanish course listed below.
| Course | Span. 111 | Span. 112 | Span. 211 | Span. 212 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Score | 0-178 | 179-319 | 320-346 | 347+ |
| Avant Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4+ |
How do I take the in-person test?
- Go to:
- Click the "Schedule Your Examination" button
On the scheduling form, the placement test is found by navigating the drop-down menus as follows:- Choose a testing location:University Testing Center
- Choose a group: Spanish placement
- Choose an exam: Spanish placement
- Create and sign into your account when directed to the “Emmersion” login page
- Purchase the Spanish Reading/Grammar test ($10)
- Enter your payment information
- Take the test
Upon completing the test, take a screen shot of your score and keep for future advising sessions. Within ten business days the scores will be uploaded into MyNEVADA; you will then be able to enroll in the course into which you were placed.
How do I take the online test?
- Visit the sign-up page
- Purchase the “Spanish + Remote Proctoring” test ($23.90)
- Follow the steps in the confirmation email from Avant to schedule your proctored placement test (Note: you likely will not be able to take the test the same day you purchase it)
- Take the test
- Your score will be sent to Admissions and Records within 10 business days and will be visible in your MyNEVADA account
Students who have taken the CBAPE or IB Spanish tests should consult the for information on how their scores transfer to the University.
Students with questions or concerns about these policies should consult Mark Kay at makay@unr.edu.