Where to Begin

Where you begin in our Chinese program can depend upon . . .

  • your score on the North Central College Chinese Placement exam, or
  • other unique factors, such as extensive experience living in a Chinese-speaking environment.

Do you need a placement exam? Here is the Department's policy:

  • All students with 3 or more years of study of Chinese in high school who wish to continue studying Chinese must take the placement exam prior to enrolling in a Chinese course.
  • Students with fewer than 3 years of Chinese in high school may enroll in Chinese 101.
  • Students with fewer than 3 years of Chinese in high school who wish to begin at a level above 101, may take the placement exam to help determine an appropriate beginning point of study.

    If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact Jinai Sun, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chinese.

When and where can you take the Chinese placement exam?

  • New NCC students are expected to take the placement exam during the summer orientation and advising sessions. Arrangements should be made via the orientation program or the Advising Center for these exams. Summer exams are administered in one of the computer labs on campus.
  • Students already in attendance at NCC may take a placement exam by scheduling a time with the Director of the Language Resource Center. These exams are usually conducted in the Language Resource Center.

What is the exam like? The North Central College Chinese placement exam is a computerized exam that tests grammar, vocabulary and aural comprehension. It takes about 20 minutes or less to complete.

What if I would like to take a placement exam in more than one language? Great! We offer placement exams in French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Latin. Please contact the Director of the Language Resource Center, Dr. Norval Bard, to schedule any of these exams.

 

What is the Chinese Placement Exam like?

Other Questions about the process or specific circumstances? Please contact the Director of the Language Resource Center, Dr. Norval Bard.