Chinese Language Program Placement Test

Update on Certifications of Language Proficiency (for fulfillment of language requirements):

Due to our department’s remote access, we cannot issue hardcopies of language certificates this semester. Our program director, Prof. Liu, will send a list of test results to the dean of each school which they will share internally to the appropriate administrators.

We appreciate your patience as there were more than 200 test takers this semester. We are unable to check each student’s individual record and ask that you write to your deans respectively.

The Chinese Language Program will administer the Chinese Placement Test online for the academic year of 2020-2021.

The Placement test will consist of three components: a multiple choice section, a timed composition portion, and a speaking portion.

Please see the table below for the breakdown of the components of the SPRING 2021 PLACEMENT EXAM:

You must complete the online multiple-choice items on your own before taking the composition and speaking test. The link to the multiple-choice portion will be available from January 1 (12:01 AM) – January 6 (6:00 PM).

Here is what you need to do:

  1. Enroll the course via the link:   https://courseworks2.columbia.edu/enroll/J4KB34
  2. Read the announcement and see whether you qualify for the test or not.
  3. Look for Modules and click on it, then you will see the test.

The timed composition test will take place on January 8th via Zoom (The Zoom link is forthcoming. You may also check “Chinese placement exam” in your CourseWorks that day). You must have your computer camera on because the test will be remotely proctored by Chinese instructors. You need a pen and a piece of paper to hand write your essays. Your essays need to be uploaded to CourseWorks as instructed.

After the Composition test, you will be assigned a different Zoom link to enter a breakout room, where you will do the oral test.

Placement Test Results

You must complete all three components to receive the placement test result. The results of the fall round of placement tests can be found here. The results for the MAKE-UP fall placement test can be found here.

Classical Chinese Placement Test
For those who wish to skip the Introduction to Classical Chinese and take the Readings in Classical Chinese directly please take the placement test at 10:00am-12:00pm on Sept. 4. The test will be offered through a zoom meeting. The zoom meeting ID is provided here.
If this time is not convenient for you, please contact Prof. Lening Liu at ll172@columbia.edu and make an appointment with him.

For all the placement/proficiency test fees, please visit our Language Testing Fee Policies page.

Proficiency Test: Please visit the Placement/Proficiency Frequently Asked Questions below for a list of contacts.

Placement/Proficiency Frequently Asked Questions