College Level Examination Program (CLEP):

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP), administered by GSC Testing Center, is a computerized exam for only French, German, and Spanish. Depending on the score achieved, students can gain up to 12 credit hours toward completion of degree requirements (FL 1001, FL 1002, FL 2001, and FL 2002) but not a course grade. To register for the CLEP, you must contact David Johnston via e-mail at djohnston@gsc.edu to schedule an exam time. Exams are normally scheduled between 7:00am and 3:30pm, Monday through Thursday, and between 7:00am and 1:30pm on Friday. If you are unable to reach him by e-mail, please call the Testing Center at 678-717-3863.  There is an administration fee of $20.00 and an exam fee of $77.00. 

If you wish to take a CLEP Exam on the Oconee Campus, you must contact the Coordinator of Testing, Erin Williams, at ewilliams@gsc.edu or 706-310-6308 to schedule an appointment.

For more information, access the following link: http://www.gsc.edu/academics/testing/Pages/CollegeLevelExaminationProgram(CLEP).aspxl

Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam (WebCAPE):

The Department of English and Foreign Languages offers Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam (WebCAPE) in French, Russian, German, and Spanish. The WebCAPE developed by Brigham Young University is widely used across the country as a language placement instrument. When combined with other information, the results of these examinations assist the Department of English and Foreign Languages in placing a student in the appropriate level language course.

The Department of English and Foreign Languages is continually faced with the task of advising and placing freshmen and transfer students in appropriate courses. This decision is often based primarily upon the number of classes the student has previously taken in the language. However, placement on this basis does not take into account several important factors which determine the student's actual facility with the language, such as the effectiveness of the student's past teacher(s), the specific information covered, extracurricular, and/or other out-of-class exposure to the language.

WebCAPE uses state-of-the-art computer testing techniques to place students accurately and efficiently in the first two years (beginning I to intermediate II) of college language courses. The exam selects each new test item as a result of the answer given to the previous question. When the student answers an item correctly, a more difficult question is presented; if an item is answered incorrectly, an easier question is given. In short, the test "adapts" to the student's level of ability and will accurately determine the student's competency level in about twenty minutes.

Some of the benefits of using WebCAPE over conventional paper-and-pencil type tests include the reduction of the testing time to about twenty minutes since fewer test items are necessary. Boredom and frustration are diminished by eliminating items that are far too easy or much too difficult for an individual student.

WebCAPE provides immediate feedback. Upon completion of the exam, students are able to see their score.

How It Works

After starting WebCAPE, the student enters his or her name and GSC ID number and responds to questions regarding his/her previous language experiences to initiate a test record file.

Once the record identification information is entered, the computer prepares the student for the test. The first screen briefly explains that the student is to respond to multiple choice questions by typing and confirming the letter of the correct answer.

To ensure that the student has understood the instructions, a sample test item is given. At this point, the actual test begins.

The computerized adaptive placement exams are designed to provide individualized testing, identifying the student's ability level with combinations of grammar, reading, and vocabulary questions. The adaptive testing algorithm has been written so that the first six questions serve as “level checkers.” After the first six items, the test begins to “probe” in order to fine-tune the measurement by increasing or decreasing the difficulty by one level after each response. The test terminates if 1) the student answers incorrectly four questions at the same difficulty level, or 2) the student answers five questions at the highest difficulty level possible.

By requiring at least four misses at a given level, the test makes allowances for lucky guesses or inadvertent errors due to lack of concentration, nervousness, or other distractions. To avoid duplicate questions, the index to the question is flagged. When a question is used during the test, a sequential file is created to show the student's performance during the test.

At the conclusion of the test, the computer displays the performance level of the student. The student then consults the placement chart (as determined by the Department of English and Foreign Languages) that lists the ranges of performance levels that pertain to the various language courses of the curriculum. Thus, the student is immediately advised of the class that appears most suited to his or her ability level.

Procedure for taking the WebCAPE Exam

Students may go online and take the exam from home or in the lab by following these instructions:

·         Go to: http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/ and select Gainesville State College from the drop down menu.

·         Enter your ID information so that the school will receive your placement test results.

·         The password is gsc1.

·         Choose the appropriate language from the drop-down menu. After completing the short survey you can begin the exam.

When the online placement exam is complete, you will receive an overall score (points). Please note the RANGE OF SCORES FOR PLACEMENT PURPOSES area and the course level that corresponds to your points. This is the course in which GSC recommends you enroll.

Students who are unsure of what level Spanish, French, Russian, or German language course in which to register, should contact Dr. Steven Crawford, NASILP Coordinator at scrawford@gsc.edu or 678-717-3637.

Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS):

Students wishing to test (FL 1001, FL 1002, FL 2001, and FL 2002) in languages - see list - either offered or not offered in the Department of Foreign Languages can use the Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS) offered by Brigham Young University. The paper and pencil test is taken by correspondence and costs $50.00 plus a $20.00 sitting fee (to be paid to the Business Office). The test will be administered through the Testing Center on the Gainesville campus. To register for the FLATS, you must contact David Johnston via e-mail at djohnston@gsc.edu to schedule an exam time. Exams are normally scheduled between 7:00am and 3:30pm, Monday through Thursday, and between 7:00am and 1:30pm on Friday. If you are unable to reach him by e-mail, please call the Testing Center at 678-717-3863.

Please note the following "Tips" from the Brigham Young University for Students Testing through Correspondence: "All tests are proctored and testing materials are sent to the proctor. It is the student’s responsibility to make necessary arrangements with the proctor to take a test. Tests must be returned to our office for grading. Results will be sent to the institution and address included on the form. All tests are pass/fail, multiple-choice and require a 21/2 hour time limit. Please allow two to four weeks for completion of the testing process. The testing fee is $50.00 for taking a test by correspondence."

Test Format: Most tests have a listening, reading and grammar. The tests are multiple-choice format, with answers being marked on a scantron answer sheet, not written in the test booklet. Most tests require at least a 60-70% to pass; this varies based on the difficulty of the language. All tests are on a pass/fail basis and grades (letter or percentages) will not be given. Students are allowed two and a half hours to complete their test. 

Important: Before signing up for the test by correspondence, students must fill-out the GSC Foreign Language Testing application form (GSC Foreign Language Testing Application) and submit it to Joe Lavalle, Nesbitt Bldg - Room 4244.  There is a $20.00 sitting fee to be paid to the Business Office.  The receipt must be attached to the application. You will be notified by Mr. Lavalle when the test you have requested is available.

Please note: when filling-out the online BYU FLATS Registration Form (FLATS Registration Form) for Testing through Correspondence, include the following:

Proctor Information:

David Johnston

Testing Center
Gainesville State College
3820 Mundy Mill Road
Oakwood, GA 30566
(678) 717-3863

djohnston@gsc.edu

Results Sent To:

Joe Lavalle
Department of Foreign Languages
Gainesville State College
3820 Mundy Mill Road
Oakwood, GA  30566
(678) 717-3629
jlavalle@gsc.edu