Chinese Placement Test at UK


Who should take the placement test?
You should take the test if any of the following applies:


  • You know some Chinese (e.g. you studied Chinese elsewhere before, or you are from a Chinese family background) and want to be placed out of the language requirement at UK.
  • You know some Chinese (e.g. you studied Chinese previously, or Chinese was spoken in your family, or you can read and write some Chinese) and wish to take a UK Chinese course other than the elementary level.
  • You studied Chinese at UK and wish to take a UK Chinese course other than the continuance of the level you finished.
  • You wish to continue your study in Chinese. You took a Chinese course at UK and failed in that semester. In order to enter next level, you must pass the placement test.

Who should NOT take the placement test?
Do not take the test if any of the following applies:


  • You do not know any Chinese.
  • You wish to take an elementary Chinese course (eg, CHI 101).
  • You have a high school or college diploma from a country where Chinese is the official language, and you are coded as International Student by Office of the Registrar.

What if I want credit for Chinese knowledge?
You do not need to take the placement test. You should take special department exams for credit. Please note, elementary and intermediate Chinese courses are not available on the basis of a special examination. Credit is only provided for advanced Chinese courses (eg, CHI 301, CHI 302, CHI 401, and CHI 402) (http://www.uky.edu/Registrar/priorlearn.htm).

How can I make up the test if I have missed it?
There are no make-up tests.

When and where is the test held?
Usually it is scheduled for 10:00-12:00 on the Thursday and Friday of registration week before classes begin. The place for the test is 1045 Patterson Office Tower. Please be sure to come on time. If you are late, you will miss part of the test. (Remember, no make-ups!)

Do I need to sign up in order to take the test?
Test registration is required. You need to submit the registration form to Prof. Mingzhen Bao at mingzhenbao@uky.edu by Jan 6, 2010 to sign up for the test.

Do I need an I.D. to take a placement test?
Yes. You must present a valid photo I.D. The following are examples of acceptable forms of I.D.:
UK photo I.D. card, or a government-issued photo I.D. card.

Is there a fee for the test?
No fee is required if you are currently registered at UK.

Which character form is used in the test?
Simplified characters are used in the test.

Is there a way that I can prepare for the test?
The test is based on (but not limited to) the Chinese textbooks and course materials used at UK. The best way to prepare, perhaps, is to review what you have been taught. If you need additional preparation, the following list covers the current and previous textbooks used at UK.


  1. New Practical Chinese Reader Level 1. Edited by Liu, Xun
  2. New Practical Chinese Reader Level 2. Edited by Liu, Xun
  3. New Practical Chinese Reader Level 3. Edited by Liu, Xun
  4. New Practical Chinese Reader Level 4. Edited by Liu, Xun
  5. Integrated Chinese: Level 2. Edited by Tao-Chung Yao
  6. All Things Considered: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese. Edited by Chih-p'ing Chou, Yan Xia, & Meow Hui Goh.

What is the format of the test?
The test consists of the following:


  1. Timed Writing (30 minutes). You are expected to write a narrative story in Chinese characters based on the pictures provided. When the time is up your writing will be collected even if it is unfinished. Try to write as much as you can and use as many expressions and vocabulary as appropriate in order for us to better assess your vocabulary range and proficiency level.
  2. Listening Comprehension (approx. 20 minutes). Multiple-choice type questions. You are expected to choose the appropriate answer after you hear a sentence, a short dialog or a short passage.
  3. Written Test (approx. 40 minutes grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension). Multiple-choice type questions.

When will the test results be available?
Results will be posted in the Department office after 4 p.m. on the Monday following the test.