Spanish and PortugueseMany students enter Penn having already satisfied the language requirement, either via the SAT II or with an appropriate score on the AP or IB Higher Level examinations. Students must send their AP scores in to the university directly from the College Board website. IB scores must be sent in directly from the ETS website. Use code 2926 if prompted.
Placement via the AP examinations
- Students who receive a 3 or below on the AP Spanish language or literature examination will need to complete the online placement exam to determine the appropriate course level.
- Students who have scored a 4 on the AP Spanish language or literature examination have fulfilled the SAS language requirment and should enroll in SPAN 1000 if they wish to continue with Spanish.
- Students who have scored a 5 on the AP Spanish language examination and who wish to continue in Spanish should enroll in SPAN 1200. Those students who scored an AP 5 in language with a strong Spanish-speaking heritage background or with a year of post-AP Spanish may also consider SPAN 1800 or SPAN 1900. A 5 on either exam fulfills the SAS language requirment.
- Students who have scored a 5 on the AP Spanish literature examination and who wish to continue in Spanish should enroll in SPAN 1890 or 1990.
- Students with the above scores may also consider SPAN 1005 or 1010.
Placement via the IB examinations
- Students who have taken the Standard Level IB examinations cannot use their score for placement purposes and will need to complete the online placement exam to determine the appropriate course level.
- Students who have scored a 6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level B exam or 5 on the IB Higher Level A exam and wish to continue in Spanish should enroll in SPAN 1200. These scores fulfill the SAS language requirement.
- Students who have scored a 6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level A exam and who wish to continue in Spanish should enroll in SPAN 1800 or 1900. These scores fulfill the SAS language requirement.
- Students with the above scores may also consider SPAN 1005 or 1010.
- Students who have earned an A or A- in the British A Level examination in Spanish should contact the Undergraduate Chair.
Placement via the SAT II
- If your SAT II score is 650 or above, you have fulfilled your language requirement in Spanish and may enroll in SPAN 1000.
- If your score is between 600 and 640, you qualify to take an oral exam to be exempt from the language requirement. The oral exam is offered during the first two weeks of a semester only. Please sign up for the exam with the Undergraduate Coordinator.
- If your score is less than 600, you may use your SAT II score for placement at the 0100 - 0400 level. You may consult the SAT II Placement Scale.
Please see the College's policy on AP, IB, and Pre-College Credit.
Students are also advised to consult the policies and procedures for their specific class as these may vary.
Do not hesitate to seek further advice by contacting the Undergraduate Chair, Professor Toni Espòsito, or the Director of the Spanish Language Program, Professor Victoria García-Serrano.