Language Placement
Chinese Language Placement Test 2025-2026
Who needs to take the Chinese placement test?
All first-year students, transfer students and returning students who have either studied Chinese before or have prior exposure to Mandarin Chinese at home, and plan to fulfill the language requirement and/or would like to continue their study of Chinese. This rule applies to all students in all schools and programs, including graduate programs and professional schools. Students must take the online placement test and the validation test before registering for courses.
The online placement test is NOT required if
- You have no previous knowledge of Mandarin Chinese. To start your Chinese studies at Northwestern, register for Chinese 111-1. A permission number is not required.
- You attended high school where the primary language of instruction was Mandarin Chinese. Some international students from China, Singapore and Taiwan fall into this category. Such students should petition for a review of their educational records at WCAS Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising (OUSA). The petition form is available here.
Notes for students with AP/IB scores:
The Chinese language program does not recognize AP/IB scores. You are required to take the placement test if you would like to study Chinese at NU and/or satisfy the foreign language requirement of your school.
What does the Chinese Language Placement Test look like?
The Chinese placement test includes an online placement test AND validation test. Students must complete both the online placement test and the validation test before their final placement results are posted.
- The online placement test consists of four sections covering: vocabulary, sentence structures, and reading comprehension.
Note: This is a formal exam. Students are not allowed to ask for help during the online test.
- The validation test consists of essays through typing and an oral interview. This test serves two purposes: (1) for more accurate placements of students by quarter of a language level, and (2) for validation of language requirement fulfillment.
How do I take the online portion?
The online placement test site: http://placement.madstudio.northwestern.edu/
After finishing the online placement test between May 1 and July 31, students will receive a tentative placement result on the same site. Please note the tentative result is NOT your final placement. The final result will only be posted after the validation test is completed. Instructions for the validation test will be emailed to you following the completion of the online placement test.
What are the next steps after the online portion?
After the online portion is completed, you are required to take a validation exam to receive a final placement result. Chinese placement coordinator Prof. Yan Zhou will email you the instructions and invite you to the Canvas site 2025FA_CHINESE_PLACEMENT. The validation test includes an essay writing section and an oral interview.
What are the timelines for the placement test?
Incoming students should take the online placement test before July 31. Returning students are encouraged to take the placement test by this deadline to ensure the test results earlier for assembling fall schedules. After the online test, this group of test takers are required to finish the written exam on Canvas by August 8 and will be scheduled for oral interview on September 2 or September 3.
Given that many Chinese language courses are sequential, it is highly recommended to take the placement during the summer to ensure good course selection planning for the entire academic year. For students who do not complete the online test by July 31and validation test on September 3, there is no guarantee that they will get the placement result in time for class registration in September.
When and how can I access the test results?
Your final placement result will be posted at https://placement.madstudio.northwestern.edu after both online portion and the validation test are completed.
Do I need a permission number for registration?
The following student groups are required to obtain a permission number from the instructor of the section they wish to enroll in:
- Students with placement results of 111-2, 115-2, 121-2, 125-2, or any level above 200 (e.g., 211, 215, 311, 315).
- Students with placement results of 121-1 or 125-1 need a permission number to register after the class starts but not before.
- Graduate students from The Graduate School (TGS) and professional schools. Kellogg students must coordinate through their own Registrar’s Office.
Students with placement results of 111-1 and 115-1 do NOT require a permission number.
If you encounter issues with registration, please contact the instructor of the section.
How often is the placement test administered?
The Chinese language placement test is mostly administered during the summer. Additional opportunities to take placement will be provided during the reading week of Fall and Winter quarters, respectively. Please complete the online portion at your earliest convenience, then join the Canvas site once you receive an invitation from Prof. Yan Zhou to (1) complete the essay and (2) sign up for the oral interview through Course Calendar.
How long are the placement test results valid? How many times can I take the placement test?
Placement test result is valid for 12 months, and students are not allowed to retake the test within 12 months. You may follow the above procedures to take the test again after 12 months.
Contact information
If you have any questions, please contact the Chinese placement test coordinator, Professor Yan Zhou (yan.zhou@northwestern.edu)