Chinese Placement and Proficiency

Please read carefully and thoroughly!

(For more information on Chinese language courses and answers to frequently asked questions, see the Chinese Language Courses page.)

Placement Interview

If you would like to take a modern Chinese language course and are not currently enrolled in any UW Chinese language class, you must first complete the online Chinese Language Placement Survey.

  • Note: If you wish to take classical Chinese, you do NOT need to fill out the questionnaire.
  • Note: This is a newly designed survey that the Chinese language program is piloting in the summer of 2018. If you experience any technical difficulty, please email Prof. Chan Lü <chanlu@uw.edu>.
  • Note: Please take note of the message displayed on the page after you have submitted your survey.

We regret that non-matriculated students will not be considered for modern Chinese language classes at the first- through third-year level, with the exception of summer courses.

Proficiency Exam

Note: We do not offer the exam to prospective UW students or non-UW students.

Students who wish to use an exam result to be placed out of Chinese language classes in order to waive university requirements (for example, the one-year foreign language requirement of the College of Arts & Sciences) must take the AVANT PLACEMENT test. 

The following AVANT scores are required to be placed out of first, second and third year courses, respectively:
 
First year Chinese: 3
Second year Chinese: 5 
Third year Chinese: 6 and up.
 

 

The AVANT test is currently being offered remotely and the cost is $29.90, payable when you register.

There are two versions of this test: one using traditional characters and one using simplified characters. You must use the correct link below to register. You cannot change your character selection after registering.

IMPORTANT: You must use your UW email address and UW student ID when you register for the test. Otherwise, it's difficult for us to receive and process your score.

Mandarin Proficiency Exam (Traditional Characters) ($29.90)

Mandarin Proficiency Exam (Simplified Characters) ($29.90)

Please note you should only take this test if you are NOT planning to take Chinese classes at UW. If you want to enroll in Chinese classes at UW, please follow the instructions listed above, under 'Placement Interview.'

Please see here for IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TESTING DEADLINES AND POLICIES.

The Chinese Proficiency Exam is provided by AVANT. Once you have registered and paid for the proficiency test, AVANT will send you further instructions regarding proctoring and you can schedule the test. Since you will be testing remotely, you are responsible for ensuring the readiness of the computer you will be using for the test. For a smooth testing experience, please keep the following in mind:
 
Technology Guide for Remote Testing:
https://avantassessment.com/remote-testing/technology-guide-for-remote-testing
 
User Guides:
https://avantassessment.com/guides/
 
You may also take a sample test here:
https://avantassessment.com/sample-tests

Please note the remote proctoring system is not compatible with Chromebooks.
 
If you have any questions, contact Avant Assessment Support at support@avantassessment.com.
 (For information on proficiency testing in non-Mandarin dialects of Chinese, please contact the Language Learning Center at 543-0536.)
The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability and need to request disability accommodation(s) for your interview, please contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance of your scheduled interview date at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@uw.edu.
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