Placement into the German Language Program

Newly admitted students who wish to continue the study of German begun in secondary school should take the SAT II German test or the German AP test by June of the senior year in secondary school. For those who have not done so, the SAT II test will be offered in August during Freshman orientation. Applications for taking this test will be available with registration materials.
For all other cases see Guidelines for Self-Placement. Do not hesitate to contact the Language Program Director if you are unsure of which course you should take!

SAT II scores for Duke German courses:

200 - 410 : German 1 or 14
420 - 480: German 2
490 - 580 : German 65 or 69
590 - 620: German 66 or 69
630 - 650 : German 117
660 plus : German 118 and beyond

NB: German 1 cannot be taken for credit by anyone who has had more than two years of German in secondary school. (An exception may be granted in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.)

Advanced Placement (AP) scores for Duke German courses:

3 : German 65 or 66
4 : German 66 or 117
5 : German 117 or above

Guidelines for Self-Placement* in German Language Courses
when you have no SAT, AP, or Duke Placement scores:

(* Please discuss your self-placement decision with the instructor or the course on the first day of class. Self-placement is tentative until approved by the instructor and the Director of the German Language Program.)

First read course descriptions on German Language Program Website.

Then see if you meet the following criteria:

German 01 (first half of First Year German)

• students who have never studied German
• students who studied German in elementary or middle school but not in high school
• students who studied German one year in high school, but did not do much speaking, reading, or writing in German.

Students who have had more than one year of German in high school and who wish to take German 1 must consult with the Language Program Director.

German 02 (second half of First Year German)

• students who have successfully completed German 1 or its equivalent at a university level.
• students who had one year of recent, high-quality instruction in German in high school, where German was the main language of communication.
• students who have had 2 or more years of German in high school, but who do not feel ready for the intermediate level.

German 14 (Intensive First Year German)

- students who have perhaps been in the FOCUS program in the fall, and would like to have the entire First Year course in one semester (2 course credits!) in the spring. (same criteria apply as under German 01 and 02, above)

German 65 (first half of Intermediate German)

• students who have successfully completed German 02, 14, or equivalent
• students who had 3 years of a good high school program, especially if their last year of study was their senior year.
• students who have had 4 years of high school German, but classes were not conducted in German, and there was not much reading or writing.
• students who have learned to speak German in every-day conversation, but have no knowledge or control of grammar.

German 66 (second half of Intermediate German)

• students who have successfully completed German 65 or equivalent
• students who have had 4 years of a good high school program and did well in them

German 69 (Intensive Intermediate German)

• students who have successfully completed German 02, 14, or equivalent
• students who meet the criteria under German 65 above, and would like to fulfill the entire intermediate sequence in one semester (2 course credits!), in order to to reach the 100 level more quickly

German 117 (Advanced German: Conversation and Composition)

• students who have successfully completed German 66, 69, or equivalent

  Students who have not taken a placement exam MUST consult with the Language Program Director in order to enroll in this course.

Note: Students who are borderline should visit BOTH levels for 2 or 3 days of the first week of class. They should temporarily register for the higher level, since it is easier to drop down after a few days than it is to move up. By visiting both levels, they can see the books, get the syllabus, find out what the other students are like, get a feel for the pace of the work -- and then they will be able to judge which level is more appropriate for them. Students should always feel free, when in doubt, to consult with the Language Program Director!