Successful completion of lower-division course work (or the equivalent) is required for Chinese majors and minors, and may be used to satisfy the foreign language requirement in the School of Humanities. Completion of Chinese course work through the 1C level may also be used to satisfy UCI'S Language Other Than English (Category VI) breadth requirment.

How can I enroll in a Chinese course?

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, (you must bring your result letter to the interview). 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 the written portion of this placement test if you have never been exposed to any Chinese language naturally or through instruction. However, you still must go to the Testing Center, 3040 Anteater Instruction and Research Building, to fill out a form to be exempt from the written portion of the placement test. You then must complete a Student Language Background Survey (SLBS) and meet with a Chinese faculty for an oral interview to receive your authorization code for the class. 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.

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 a 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.

For Fall quarter, The interview times are between 10am and 2pm. The interview dates are November 16-18. These interviews are offered on a walk-in basis between 10am and 2pm at HIB 452 on these interview dates. No appointment is needed. Be sure to bring your completed Student Language Background Survey (SLBS) and picture ID with you to the interview.

Sample items:

Click here for sample items.

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