<p>When they say suggested is regarding when you decide to take the courses. For example you do not have to take the foreign languages requirements your freshman year, you could delay them to soph. / junior year, that is what the suggested means. Does not mean that you do not have to take the courses. Total credits would add to at least 12 since you would take 4 semesters of the language I & II, III & IV and they would be at least 3 credits per semester. Here is the link to the test /survey explanation [Placement</a> Examination Procedures | Foreign Languages and Literatures | Marquette University](<a href=“Languages, Literatures and Cultures Homepage // Marquette University”>Languages, Literatures and Cultures Homepage // Marquette University)</p>