If you have not yet studied a foreign language, you will start with the initial course in the sequence (often called “Elementary I” or “First-Year”). Placement exams aren't necessary for most languages in this case.
If you have previously studied a foreign language, you may be able to start at an intermediate or advanced level. When selecting language courses during the registration period prior to the start of the semester, use your best judgment to select your level of study. You will have the opportunity to drop and add courses at the start of the semester if it turns out you incorrectly placed yourself. Please see the placement information for the languages offered at Barnard/Columbia below. Most language placement tests are written and test your reading comprehension, grammar skills, and writing skills in the language.
First-Year students will need Canvas/Courseworks access in order to take the exam. Please check with BCIT to make sure that you will have access in time since it's one week prior to registration.
African Languages: By appointment. Please contact Mariame Sy at sms2168@columbia.edu
Arabic: Friday, August 30, 10am-1pm in Knox Hall. Please contact Taoufik Ben Amor at tb46@columbia.edu.
Armenian: By appointment. Please contact Charry Karamanoukian at ck2444@columbia.edu
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian: To schedule a test, contact Aleksandar Boskovic at ab3865@columbia.edu
Chinese: Placement test is online. Registration from August 20th-August 27th.
The exam period is as follows: Part 1 on August 29, Part II on August 30.
French: Placement test is online. Open exclusively for incoming first-year students: Monday, July 8th - Friday, July 19th (closes 5pm). Exams will be graded daily during this week; August exams will be graded weekly. FAQs are available on our website. Please contact Professor Karen Santos da Silva at ksantosd@barnard.edu to request access outside our open exam period.
German: Placement test by appointment. The next placement window will start on August 18, 2024. Please email Professor Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj at imotyl@barnard.edu.
Greek: Contact Prof. Nancy Worman at nworman@barnard.edu to determine Greek placement.
Hebrew: Please contact Naama Harel at nh2508@columbia.edu.
Hindi-Urdu: The Hindi-Urdu faculty will administer written Placement and Proficiency Tests in Hindi and Urdu from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, August 30th 2024 in Knox Hall. While the proficiency test is to fulfill the Columbia University language requirement, the placement test is to place a student in our existing Hindi and Urdu courses. Hindi and Urdu tests are separate. Please contact Rakesh Ranjan at rr2574@columbia.edu for more information
Italian: Placement test is online. To schedule a test, please email italian@columbia.edu and aa2783@columbia.edu
Japanese: Placement test is online. Dates available: 9:00 am (EST) on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 –11:59 pm (EST) on Sunday, August 25th, 2024. Please contact Naoko Sourial (nns2111@columbia.edu) for any questions
Korean: The Korean Placement Test consists of three parts: an online multiple-choice test (via CourseWorks), writing, and speaking. The online multiple-choice writing tests are available on CourseWorks from August 12 (Mon) until August 27 (Tue) 2024. You need to sign in with your UNI. The Writing & Speaking test is on August 29 (Thu) 2024 at 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m (location TBA). For more information regarding the placement exam, please contact Prof. Joowon Suh (js604@columbia.edu).
Latin: Contact Prof. Kristina Milnor at kmilnor@barnard.edu to determine Latin placement.
Persian: The Persian placement test will be held Friday, August 30th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm in Knox Hall. Please contact Saeed Honarmand at sh3468@columbia.edu.
Portuguese: The Portuguese placement test is offered in the fall and spring semesters during the first week of classes. Please make an appointment with Ana Paula Huback (aph2129@columbia.edu) to take this exam.
Russian: To schedule a test, contact Alla Smyslova (as2157@columbia.edu)
Sanskrit: Please contact Jay Ramesh at jr3203@columbia.edu.
Spanish: Placement test is online. Please contact María Eugenia Lozano at mlozano@barnard.edu with any questions.
Turkish: Please contact Zuleyha Colak at zc2208@columbia.edu.
