This information is subject to change. Please consult this site again prior to the week before classes start for up-to-date information.
Please note that placement exams do not satisfy language requirements. To arrange a proficiency exam, contact the instructor for that language.
Students should allow themselves two hours to take the exam.
You must arrive between the hours stated for each exam, with the exception of Hebrew and Turkish for which you must arrive at the given start time. This is to ensure that you have enough time to take the test.
The Fall 2022 language placement exam schedule is as follows:
African languages: By appointment. Please contact Mariame Sy at sms2168@columbia.edu
Arabic: Friday, September 2, 2022, 10am-1pm in Knox 101 and 103. Please contact Taoufik Ben Amor at tb46@columbia.edu and Professor Zeina Sayegh at zs2562@columbia.edu.
Students may register for the course that they estimate would fit their level pending the results of the exam.
For more information, see our FAQ.
Armenian: By appointment. Please contact Charry Karamanoukian at ck2444@columbia.edu
Hebrew: Thursday, September 1, 2022, 10am-1pm in Knox 101 and 103. Please contact Naama Harel at nh2508@columbia.edu
Hindi-Urdu: The Hindi-Urdu faculty will administer written Placement and Proficiency Tests in Hindi and Urdu from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, September 2, 2022 in Knox 114 and 116. Please contact Rakesh Ranjan at rr2574@columbia.edu to register for the online exam.
Persian: Friday, September 2, 2022, 1-4pm in Knox 101. Please contact Saeed Honarmand at sh3468@columbia.edu.
Sanskrit: Please contact Jay Ramesh at: jr3203@columbia.edu
Tamil: Please contact Jay Ramesh at jr3203@columbia.edu.
Turkish: Individual appointments will be scheduled with Prof. Colak for oral proficiency exams and written exams during the two weeks prior to the start of the Fall semester. Please contact Zuleyha Colak at zc2208@columbia.edu
Beginners who cannot read or write basic Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi/Urdu, Persian or Turkish should register for First Year Arabic, First Year Modern Hebrew, Elementary Hindi/Urdu, Elementary Persian or Elementary Modern Turkish.
Students wishing to study Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi/Urdu, Persian or Turkish at a level above the introductory level must take a placement test before registration. Those seeking to waive a language requirement must take a proficiency test.
For Arabic, all prospective students should consult the Guidelines for Registration
For Hebrew, students who have passed the Jerusalem Examination or have scored 700 or above on the College Board SAT Subject Test in Modern Hebrew are exempt from the language requirement and may take courses in Hebrew literature.
Other Languages
Students wishing to study African languages (other than Arabic), Armenian, Sanskrit, Tamil and Ottoman Turkish at a level above the introductory level should consult the relevant language coordinator.