Korean Placement Test

What is the purpose of the Korean Placement Test?

The purpose of the Korean Placement Test is to assess your preparation for course work in Korean at UCI. Students will be placed into one of the following courses: Korean 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, or 2C.

This test is the same test that is used to satisfy the Language Other Than English (Category VI) breadth requirement. Satisfaction of the breadth requirement may be attained with a sufficient score on this placement test and a satisfactory performance in the oral interview. The Korean Placement Test may not be repeated.

Who needs to take courses in Korean?

How can I enroll in a Korean course?

You must complete the following steps to enroll in a Korean course at UCI:

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

Who is exempt?

You are exempt form this test if you answer "NO" to all the following questions. 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 placement test. Then you can enroll in the 1A class.

Background Questions:

1. Does anyone in your family speak any Korean?
2. Have you taken any Korean classes at schools or been tutored?
3. Have you lived in Korean more than one year?
4. Can you read or write Korean?

What should I study before the examination?

Each course series assumes that students know the content covered in previous levels, so you need to review the textbooks for previous levels. You should have an active vocabulary and some knowledge of grammar that enables you 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 choices; make a suggestion or give advice; make a comparison; inquire about locations and give directions; state your opinion and make comments; and handle reasonably complicated survival situations.

For this test you should know the following fundamentals of Korean grammar:

• Two different speech styles: formal and informal
• Three different forms of speeches: honorific, polite, impolite
• Four sentence types: descriptive, interrogative, imperative, and propositive (positive and negative)
• Tenses: present, past, and future
• Conjuncts: clausal and sentential

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.

Review Materials:

1. Korea University Cultural Center, Korean 1, Chen & Tsui Company, 1996.

How long is the test?

You will have one hour to answer 60 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.

Is test registration required?

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).

Sample items: