The aim of the placement tests is to ascertain your linguistic competence in the relevant language to ensure you will join the course at a level that corresponds to your existing language skills.
Do you already have prior knowledge of the language? If so, you must take a placement test before registering for a language course. Are you starting a language with no prior knowledge? In that case, no placement test is required. Register directly for a Level 1.1 beginner course. Have you already successfully completed a language course at the Language Center? If so, you can register for the next higher course level without taking another placement test.
Complete the appropriate online placement test in ILIAS, or take the placement test in person for Russian and Portuguese. Save your result or take a screenshot of it. Then register for the appropriate language course in Stud.IP. For more information, please see "Registration for Language Courses." For languages for which no placement test is offered, please contact the course instructor.
Please bring a printed copy of your placement test result to the first class. If you are unable to present your test result, you may lose your place in the course.
If you already have prior knowledge of the language but do not take the required placement test, you may be excluded from the language course at a later stage.
Placement test results remain valid for two semesters. If you do not attend a language course during this period, you will be required to take the placement test again.
If you have already successfully completed an examination at the University of Passau, simply register for the next level. In this case, no placement test is required.
If you have any questions or are unsure which course to choose, please contact the relevant team coordinator(s) as early as possible.
English, French, and Italian: Online C-Test (ILIAS)
German: Online single-choice test (ILIAS)
Spanish: Online multiple-choice test with listening and reading comprehension (ILIAS)
Portuguese and Russian: Written placement test (on campus)
Please note: Students from Russian-speaking families who understand Russian and can communicate about general topics but have difficulties with reading and writing are not required to take the placement test. These students may register directly for Course 91621: Russian Language Course – Elementary Level 2.1 (Heritage Speakers with Partial Competencies) / A2 via Stud.IP.
For English language courses, the placement tests are divided into the following three subject areas:
Students enrolled in a degree programme administered by the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics or in a Teacher Education Programme should take the English for Cultural Studies test.
