Language Placement
Updated 4/13/2026
Who Should Take a Language Placement Test
Regardless of your undergraduate school, if you have prior knowledge of a language other than English, your language level must be assessed before you continue studying that language. Prior knowledge may come from studying in high school, speaking the language at home, living abroad, or engaging in self‑study.
A qualifying AP or IB score may be used in lieu of a placement test in certain languages. Please check the AP and IB Language Credit page.
Special Cases
- Students currently participating in summer, semester/year-long language programs in the U.S. or abroad are generally required to retake the placement test before continuing language study at Northwestern. See Language Placement Procedures for Study Abroad Returnees for more information.
- Students are strongly encouraged to contact the corresponding language placement coordinator for advice on how to proceed, especially if continuing language study after a break in language study.
Language Learning Flowchart
The flowchart below shows step-by-step protocols based on student's background and interests.
Information about Placement Tests by Language
Incoming students must complete the online placement test process by the stated deadline. Students admitted after that deadline should follow the instructions posted in the language placement test information or contact the individual language placement coordinator for assistance. A list of languages taught at Northwestern and their placement coordinators is provided below.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Taking a language placement exam does not commit you to studying the language.
- Language placement exams are not graded as pass or fail, and your scores will not appear on your transcript. They are designated to help you understand your current level in the curriculum and identify the appropriate course to continue your language study at Northwestern.
- If you know more than one language, you are encouraged to take a placement exam of each language you know. Knowing where you are in Northwestern curriculum will help you know opportunities and options available to you.
- You may not enroll in a class that is lower than your placement without prior approval from the language program director or the language placement coordinator.
For questions about placement, write directly to the placement coordinator in the relevant department. You can find the contact information below or in Language Program Contacts.
Language-Specific Information for 2026-2027 academic year will be posted by May 1, 2026.
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Czech*
- French
- German
- Ancient Greek*
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Latin
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
- Swahili
- Turkish
- Urdu
*These languages do not currently offer online placement tests.