Placement tests for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean are held at the beginning of each semester.
Students who have studied the language elsewhere before coming to UMass, as well as those returning from study abroad, and those who have discontinued learning the language over four semesters must take the placement test in order to be placed in the appropriate level.
Chinese Placement Test
Regarding Chinese placement and proficiency testing
- Chinese placement testing is required for students who are new to the UMass Chinese language program, as well as students returning from study abroad.
- Chinese proficiency testing is available to native speakers of Chinese, and is administered through the Academic Advising Center, College of Humanities and Fine Arts.
Please continue reading below for additional details on the Chinese language placement and proficiency testing procedures.
Placement Test for Chinese Language Course Enrollment
Students who have studied Chinese elsewhere before coming to UMass, as well as those returning from study abroad in mainland China or Taiwan and those who have discontinued learning the language over four semesters, should all take the placement test. Students who need to take the placement test for enrollment purposes should contact Professor Yi Feng directly for future enrollment.
Who should take the Chinese language placement test:
- Students who have studied Chinese elsewhere before coming to UMass.
- Students returning from study abroad in mainland China or Taiwan
- Students who have had a break in learning the language for at least four consecutive semesters
Placement test registration information:
- The placement test consists of a written test and oral interview and is offered through Moodle.
- Students will need to contact Professor Yi Feng to register for the test.
- If you intend to enroll in a Chinese language course, be sure to contact Professor Feng in advance and allow at least a few days before the Add/Drop deadline for the interview to be scheduled and completed.
- Please note that students will need an active UMass SPIRE account to register. Five College students: please contact your Registrar’s Office at your home institution for assistance with obtaining a UMass SPIRE ID.
- Please strictly follow the detailed instructions posted on Moodle when taking the test.
Chinese Language Proficiency Test for Native Speakers
Registration for the Chinese Language Proficiency Test is handled by the Academic Advising Center for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Six credits will be awarded to students who pass the test. No credits will be given to students who do not pass. Students who pass the Chinese Language Proficiency test are not eligible to enroll in any Chinese program language courses.
Please note: Registration priority will be given to students with greatest academic need (for example: students who are expected to graduate at the end of the coming semester).
1) Complete the Request for a Foreign Language Proficiency Test, located here. If you have questions about the registration process, please contact HFA Academic Advising.
- The deadline to request a proficiency test is the end of Week 7 of the current semester at Friday, 5:00 p.m. EST.
2) Eligible students will receive an email containing the test time and location.
- The test date will typically be in Week 9 of the current semester. Students who have registered for this test will be informed of the test date via email in advance.
- Test results will be sent to the HFA Advising Center between Weeks 11–13 of the current semester. Please contact HFA Academic Advising for your test results.
If you have additional questions about the Chinese Language Proficiency Test for Native Speakers, please contact Professor Yi Feng.
Japanese Placement Test
Students who have studied Japanese elsewhere before coming to UMass, as well as those returning from study abroad and those who have discontinued learning the language over four semesters must take the placement test in order to be placed in the appropriate level. We administer the placement test at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Additional information can be found at the registration link below.
Korean Placement Test
Korean Language Placement Test for Language Learners
Beginning Korean I is offered for students who have no or minimal knowledge of Korean, and the placement test is not required.
Students who have some knowledge of Korean or who have studied Korean elsewhere before taking any Korean courses at UMass should take a placement test. The placement test is scheduled at the beginning of the each semester. To schedule a placement test, please contact Professor Chanyoung Park at @email.
Korean Language Proficiency Test for Native Speakers
Registration for the Korean Language Proficiency Test is handled by the Academic Advising Center for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Six credits will be awarded to students who pass the test. No credits will be given to students who do not pass.
Registration:
- Complete the Request for a Foreign Language Proficiency Test, located here. If you have questions about the registration process, please contact HFA Academic Advising.
- The deadline to request a proficiency test is the end of Week 6 of the current semester at Friday, 5:00 p.m. EST.
- Eligible students will receive an email containing the test time and location.
- The test date will typically be in week 9 of the current semester. Students who have registered for the test will be informed of the test date via email in advance.
- Test results will be sent to the HFA Advising Center between weeks 11–13 of the current semester. Please contact HFA Academic Advising for your test results.
If you have any additional questions about the Korean Language Proficiency Test for Native Language Speakers, please contact Professor Chanyoung Park at @email.