Foreign Language Placement Exam (FLPE)

• The FLPE exam is offered in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.
• The FLPE allows students to place into a language class in one of the above languages and/or to meet Stony Brook's SBC: LANG.
• Students who have not had formal, or in the case of heritage speakers, informal language exposure do not need to take a FLPE exam.
• Students who take the FLPE will be billed $44.25 by the bursar.

What is it?

Every Stony Brook student who is in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, and the School of Journalism must demonstrate a certain level of foreign language proficiency in order to graduate (Skill 3 or LANG requirement). Students in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences are exempt from this requirement. To satisfy the LANG requirement, students must pass the second semester of an elementary foreign language course (e.g., 112) with a C or higher or enroll in a foreign language course of an intermediate level or higher and pass it with a C or better.

To make sure that students are placed into the appropriate level language course, they must take the Foreign Language Placement Exam (NOTE: students should only take a placement exam in a language in which they have had formal or informal (as heritage speakers) prior exposure.  Specifically, the placement exam is designed to assess and match each student’s current foreign language ability with one of the numerous language courses available at SBU and accurately identify students who satisfy their Skill 3/LANG requirement. Unless you have fulfilled the language requirement via one of the exceptions listed below, you must take the placement exam at least one week before your orientation date so that you can register for the appropriate language course on the day of your orientation.   

How much does it cost?

You will be billed $44.25 by the bursar for taking the FLPE.

What if I already fulfilled the language requirement?

If you meet any of the exceptions below, you are exempt from taking the placement exam, as you have already fulfilled your language requirement (you are still free to take a foreign language course or continue in a language by taking upper division courses, if you wish):

• Got a LEVEL 3 or better on the Foreign Language Placement Exam (FLPE);
• Received AP scores on a foreign language or literature exam with a score of 3 or higher;
• Have transfer college credit equivalent to the second-semester introductory or higher level foreign language course from a regionally accredited institution, with a grade of C or higher;
• Previously attended at least two years at a secondary school or university where the primary language of instruction is other than English (must submit official transcripts from the institution, showing evidence that one of the classes was the formal study of the other language);
• Received a score of 530 or higher on the SAT II in a foreign language;
• Received a score of 85 or higher on a New York State foreign language Regents examination taken in 2011 or earlier;
• Received a score of 5 or higher on the Higher Level IB exam (Standard Level IB exams are not accepted).

What if I am proficient in a language for which Stony Brook does not offer a Placement Exam (FLPE)?

Stony Brook University offers placement exams in the following languages:

• • • Arabic
    • Chinese
    • French
    • German
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Spanish

Student who are proficient in a language for which Stony Brook does not offer a Placement Exam (FLPE) may be able to satisfy the foreign language requirement (LANG) through the Challenge Exam.

To view the complete list of languages offered at Stony Brook, please visit Languages at SBU

How can I schedule my Placement Exam (FLPE)?

You can do this by filling out an online Appointment Form. 

What should I bring to the Placement Exam?

• You must bring your Stony Brook Student ID or a Government Issued Photo ID.
• You must know your Stony Brook Student ID number.
• You must have your NetID set up.

What does my Foreign Language Placement Exam (FLPE) result mean?

For more questions, please visit the FAQ.