Proficiency Exams
If you are seeking to satisfy the L&S Language Requirement through your high school education or from coursework at another institution, please refer to the official L&S advising page for the most up-to-date criteria: How to satisfy the L&S language requirement. For students entering from FA26 or after, please note that the previous metric—three years of high school study—no longer fulfills the requirement. You can satisfy the L&S Language Requirement by completing at least three years of secondary school in which the primary language of instruction was a language other than English, starting from grade 6 or above, as verified by transcripts.
- For incoming students: Please e-mail asklns
to request a review of your records. - For continuing students: Please follow the instructions posted on the CEU's Website.
Test Information
These tests are administered once every semester. There are no make-up tests given.
This IS NOT a placement test. These tests are for those who are seeking to have their foreign language requirement waived.
Please note: Our proficiency tests are for admitted UCB students only. We do not offer proficiency tests for UCB applicants or non-UCB students.
Fall 2026
Korean — *Pre-registration required.
To register for the exam, please fill out this form.
Date:
Time:
Location:
For questions about the exam, please email Dr. Kijoo Ko (kijooko@berkeley.edu).
Chinese — *Pre-registration required.
For 2026 incoming freshman:
https://chinese.berkeley.edu/
Japanese — *Pre-registration required.
Date: Monday, August 24
Time: 11am
Location: 82 Dwinelle
For questions about the exam, please email Maki Takata (takata@berkeley.edu).
Additional Information
- The Proficiency Exam is scheduled twice a year. Please verify the schedule before you come.
- This IS NOT a placement test. These tests are for those who are seeking to have their foreign language requirement waived.
- It is a written test, with no oral or aural component.
- You can take the Proficiency Exam only once.
Chinese Test Information:
To fulfill the the L&S requirement, you can take a proficiency exam (see below) OR take one of the following Chinese courses:
- Mandarin: Chinese 1B, Chinese 1X, Chinese 10A, Chinese 10B, Chinese 10X, Chinese 100A, Chinese 100B, Chinese 100XA, Chinese 100XB, Chinese 101, Chinese 102, Chinese 111
- Cantonese: Chinese 3B, Chinese 3X, Chinese 30A, Chinese 30X
- Taiwanese: Chinese 4B
Chinese Proficiency Exam Format
Part 1: A closed-book, autograded exam completed online at home.
Enroll in Cantonese Placement Test (Part 1_Fall 2026)
Take the Mandarin Chinese [Traditional Characters] L&S Proficiency Exam (Part 1)
Take the Mandarin Chinese [Simplified Characters] L&S Proficiency Exam (Part 1)
- Part 2 (if Part 1 is passed): An instructor-graded, proctored exam. Part 2 of the exam takes place during the academic year and typically takes places in October and March. Students who pass Part 1 will be instructed on how to enroll in Part 2.
Evaluation and Grade:
The test is evaluated in terms of the number of semesters of university-level study. The range is from zero semesters to more than ten.
Test Results:
The test results reported to your college major shows the number of semesters equivalency to that in the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language programs of the EALC Department. Your college major determines whether you meet the foreign language requirement. Test results will be available approximately one month after the exam date and will be sent to your college/major advisor. Please contact your college/major advisor for the results.
