The Japanese Placement Test that was originally scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2020 from 10:00 to noon in Room G30 Foreign Languages Building will now be offered online instead of on campus. The date has not changed, but be sure to check back for COVID-19 updates.
You can take the exam on August 21, between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central Time. You are allowed a maximum of 2.5 hours to complete the exam. The exam usually takes about two hours, so please make sure to start your exam before 3:00 p.m. Central Time. You will be given further instructions after you register.
You still must register in advance using your Illinois email address, which has your NetID. Do not use any other email address, such as Gmail or Hotmail.
To take the online version on August 21, you must have the following:
- a reliable Internet connection for the entire 2- to 3-hour testing period
- a computer system that is compatible with Proctorio
- a webcam
- a good-quality headset for listening comprehension
- the ability to type your written responses in Japanese
The test consists of a short essay (20 minutes), 28 multiple-choice questions for listening comprehension (40 minutes), and 134 multiple-choice questions that primarily assess your vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and writing knowledge (90 minutes). You should budget at least two hours for testing.
The Japanese Placement Test is offered (usually on campus) at the beginning of every fall and spring semester to both new students and continuing students. It is actually not a proficiency test. You take this test in order to learn which Japanese course you should enroll in to continue your studies of the language. However, if you demonstrate such strong skills that you "place out" of our Japanese courses, that means you have fulfilled the General Education language requirement. No academic credit is awarded.
