The purpose of the Chinese Placement Test is to assess your preparation for course work in Chinese at UCI. Students will be placed into one of the following courses: Chinese 1A, 1B,1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2A, 3B, 3C, or an upper-division 4th year Chinese course.

This test is the same test that is used to satisfy the Language Other Than English (Category VI) breadth requirement. However, you must still appear for an oral interview to confirm your exemption. The Chinese Placement Test may not be repeated.

1. Take the Chinese Placement Test.
2. Complete a Student Language Background Survey (SLBS) and meet with a Chinese faculty for an oral interview to receive your authorization code for the course. Times and locations are indicated in the Schedule of Classes under Chinese in the School of Humanities. Note: You will not be able to enroll in a Chinese course without an authorization code.

You are exempt from this placement test if you have never been exposed to any Chinese language naturally or through instruction. you still must go to the Testing Center 3040 Anteater Instruction and Research Building, to fill out a form to be exempt from the placement test. Then you can enroll in the 1A class. Bring your completed survey to your oral interview (schedule published in the Schedule of Classes under the Chinese course section).

How can I prepare for the examination

The Testing Center has a small reference library to help you with your test preparation. Click here to learn about the check-out and return policies and procedures.

What should I study before the examination?

• You should have an active vocabulary and some knowledge of grammar to be able to perform the following tasks: exchange common greetings; tell time; talk about the weather, family and studies; talk about your likes, dislikes and interests; inquire about the price; make a choice; make a suggestion or give advice; make a comparison; inquire about location and give directions; state your opinion and make comments; and handle reasonably complicated survival situations.

1. Tseng, S.-H., et al., eds., Practical Chinese Reader Book I. Traditional Characters (2nd. Ed.), Boston: Cheng & Tsui Company, 1995.
2. Wang, Peggy, Laughing in Chinese (2nd. Ed.), Quebec: East Asia Linguistic Services 1996.
3. Chou, C.P., and D.-L. Chao, Intermediate reader of Modern Chinese, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992.
4. Teng, S.-H., and L.S. Perry, Taiwan Today, Boston: Cheng & Tsui Company, 1999.

You will have 60 minutes to answer 70 multiple-choice questions.

How long are the results valid?

The results are valid for your entire academic career at UCI. Please be advised that if you take the test more often than allowed, your new results will not be reported.

Test registration is always required. You may register online, by phone or email.

Do I need an I.D. to take a placement test?

Yes. To be admitted to any test administered by the Testing Center, you must present two forms of valid photo I.D. This requirement is strictly enforced.

The following are examples of acceptable forms of I.D.:

UCI or other school photo I.D. card AND a government-issued photo I.D. card. (e.g., a photo-bearing driver's license, a photo-bearing DMV-issued identification card, a photo-bearing military I.D. card, a passport featuring a current photograph, a Permanent Resident Card- commonly know as a Green Card- featuring a current photograph).