UH Spanish Language Heritage Learners Placement and Credit Exam – OVERVIEW

The Department of Hispanic Studies administers the Spanish for Heritage Speakers Placement and Credit Exam. Based on performance, students may be placed in Spanish 1507, 2307, 2308, 3308, or higher, and may earn up to 12 credit hours in Spanish.

The exam takes up to two hours and consists of several sections on vocabulary, dictation, grammar, reading comprehension and writing an essay

Who should take the test?

If you answer YES to one or more of the following statements, you need to take the Placement-Credit Exam for Spanish Heritage Learners: 

• When I was a child, Spanish was spoken in my home
• I lived in a Spanish-speaking country for two years or longer
• My first language was Spanish
• I speak Spanish, or both Spanish and English with family and friends
• My parents and/or grandparents often speak to me in Spanish

Important Note:  Students cannot enroll in any Language Program (Second Language or Heritage Language) if they have not taken the Placement Exam required in each track. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in being dropped from the class.

Test-takers information

• Students must present I.D. at test time
• Register online. Students only need to register once, no confirmation will be given.
• A $15.00 payment is required for administering test. We ONLY accept checks or Money Orders.
• No cash or credit cards are accepted
• There will be an additional charge for returned checks

Place and dates

The exam is offered several times during each semester. It is highly recommended to take the exam before the semester planning on taking classes. (See current exam dates and times) All exams take place in the ETC, AH 101.

Results

• The results will be posted outside the Department Main Office (AH 416) seven days after the exam was taken.
• The results will expire after two years from the day that the exam was taken.
• The exam can only be re-taken after 6 months from the day that the exam was taken for the first time.
• Students need to pick up the placement form in the Department Main Office (AH 416)

I am not a Heritage Learner….

The Department of Hispanic Studies offers the Spanish as a Second Language Program for non-native and non-heritage Spanish speakers. Students who have taken Spanish in high school need to take the Spanish Placement Exam at the UH Testing Center. (For more information please call 713-743-5444 or visit University Testing Services)