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Latin Placement

The Latin Placement Exam is scheduled by the Office of the Dean of Students during the Orientation period for new students, usually the Monday before classes begin: for details contact the Dean's office or [[glirby, Professor Irby]].

A student may fulfill the language requirement (in Latin) at the College of William and Mary by any of the following ways:

  • Completion of Level IV in high school
  • A score of at least 650 on the College Board SAT II Achievement Test in Latin
  • Completion of a college language course at or above the 202 level
  • Transfer credit of equivalent courses from an accredited college or university as certified by the department chair.

A student who wishes to continue in Latin will be placed into the appropriate level according to one of the following standardized examinations:

  • SAT II Subject test in Latin
  • AP-Latin Vergil Exam
  • AP-Latin Literature (Catullus-Horace; Catullus-Ovid; or Catullus-Cicero: only one AP-Latin Literature exam can count for credit at William and Mary)
  • Classical Studies placement examination, offered at the beginning of each semester (fall and winter) and normally taken during a student's first semester at the College

The Department of Classical Studies does not allow self-placement under any circumstances.

Placement by score on our Latin Placement Test or the SAT II Achievement Test in Latin:

  • 650 or above: 300 level Latin or above
  • 450-640:Latin 201
  • Below 450: Latin 101

Placement by Latin AP Exam:

  • Score of 5: 300 level Latin or above
  • Score of 4: Latin 201

How credit hours are awarded towards matriculation:

  • If a student tests into Latin 201, he/she will not receive course credit (credit hours) for LAT 101 and 102.
  • A student who has successfully completed one standardized exam administered by the College Board (see above) can receive 3 credit hours (towards matriculation) as follows:

    • A score of 5 on the AP exam (Vergil or Latin Literature) earns 3 credit hours for LAT 202 only
    • A score of 650 on the SAT II Achievement Test in Latin earns 3 credit hours for LAT 202 only
  • A student who has successfully completed two standardized exams administered by the College Board can earn up to 6 credit hours for LAT 201 and 202 as follows:

    • Scores of 5 on both the AP exams [Vergil + Latin Literature]
    • A score of 5 on either AP exam together with a score of 650 on the SAT II Achievement Test in Latin

If you have taken a standardized exam, do not take the Department's placement exam.

If you have not taken a standardized exam and you wish to continue with Latin, you must take the Department's placement exam.