Language Placement: Language Resource Center

Language Placement

Validity of Placement Results

The length of validity of placement result varies by language.

Students participating in summer, semester or year-long language programs in the U.S. or abroad are generally required to retake the placement exam. See Language Placement Procedures for Study Abroad Returnees.

Students should contact the language placement coordinator for advising, especially if continuing language study after a break in language study.

Valid 1 year
Chinese, French, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Urdu

Valid 1.5 years
Latin (each case is evaluated individually), Portuguese, Spanish

Valid 2 years
Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish

Valid 4 years
Czech, German, Polish, Russian

Contact the placement coordinator for Ancient Greek, Swahili

Placement Test vs. Validation Test

Wondering what is the difference between a placement test and a validation test?

Placement test: For students with prior knowledge of a language, this test places students into an appropriate language class. Some language tests include oral and essay writing portions as a part of the placement process.

Validation test: Given after the placement test to students who may be eligible to satisfy the Weinberg two-year language proficiency requirement (LPR). It often consists of a speaking test and/or a writing test. This test may also be necessary when a placement test result is not sufficiently conclusive.

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. Check both your Northwestern School's individual language requirements and the language proficiency table to determine whether your score satisfies your language requirement.

The Language Learning Flowchart may help you navigate the different pathways available.

language learning at Northwestern flowchart

Please click a language name below and read information about their placement test information.

Incoming first-year students must complete the online placement test process by the stated deadline. Students admitted after that deadline should follow the instruction posted in the language placement test information or contact the individual language placement coordinator for assistance.

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 2025-2026 academic year.

*These languages do not currently offer online placement tests.

GO TO THE Online Language Placement SITE