How do you say "placement exam" in Spanish?

Question

Hello. I am writing an email to a professor in the Spanish department of my university to ask if I need to take a placement exam to take a certain Spanish class, and it occurred to me that I have never said "placement exam" in Spanish, and don't know how to say it. This website says the word for "placement" in Spanish is "colocación," but I don't want to accidentally ask if I need to take a "location exam" or something like that, I'd just like to know if that's how you really say "placement exam" in Spanish. Thanks.

Also, would it be better to say, "Quisiera inscribirme en la clase de..." or "Quiero inscibirme in la clase de..."?

excel lent question, and we really hope that you come back soon. Good luck on your test! "Quisiera inscribirme..." is better. - mountaingirl123, Mar 27, 2010

Thank you. I'm definitely here way more than I should be! - MacFadden, May 5, 2010

Answer 1

Oh, nevermind; I just found it below the other translation: prueba de aptitud. Sorry. I would still like to know about the "quisiera"/"quiero" usage in this case, though.

Answer 2

quisiera is deemed more respectful, whereas "quiero" sounds a bit less refined, if you will.

in essence, however, both work.

hope this helps.