San Diego State University logo

Diagnostic Placement Exam in Spanish for Spanish Speakers (DPES)

 

General Information

The DPES is designed to help students identify the formal register of Spanish through a systematic presentation of salient and varied grammatical points. The items are presented in a progressive fashion: orthography and accentuation, verb conjugations, verb tenses, simple sentences and complex sentences. The knowledge tested on this exam is acquired through both informal and formal experiences. The test consists of 95 objective questions. It has a 50 minute time limit. Scores on the DPES will place you in the following courses:

      Spanish 281 (01-49 points)     Level I
      Spanish 282 (50-69 points)     Level II
      Spanish 381 (70-95 points)     Level III

For Study: The study guide, Espanol Para Todos, by Margarita Hidalgo, is available in the SDSU Aztec Shops Bookstore.

Who Needs to Take the DPES?

Students of a Spanish speaking background seeking placement in Spanish 281, Spanish 282 or Spanish 381. No academic credit is awarded.


DPES Test Date and Registration Information
Test Date Online/In-Person Reg Deadline Mail-In Registration Scores Released
June 21, 2008
June 6, 2008
June 4, 2008
July 1, 2008
July 12, 2008
June 27, 2008
June 25, 2008
July 22, 2008
August 2, 2008
July 18, 2008
July 16, 2008
August 12, 2008
August 23, 2008
August 8, 2008
August 6, 2008
September 2, 2008
October 4, 2008
September 19, 2008
September 17, 2008
October 14, 2008
November 1, 2008
October 17, 2008
October 15, 2008
November 12, 2008
December 6, 2008
November 21, 2008
November 19, 2008
December 16, 2008

Registration Procedures

***Students Requiring Disability Accommodations please read!

DPES online registration (credit card or check)
Online Registration hours of availability: 6:30 a.m. - midnight (PST)

OR

Fill out the DPES mail-in registration form

OR

Come to the SDSU Student Testing, Assessment & Research Office, (SSW-2549), during business hours (Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm) and purchase a ticket of admission. The fee for the DPES is $25.00. Tickets purchased August 20, 2007 or later are non-refundable.

Directions and Parking Instructions