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 2019 language placement exam schedule is as follows:
African languages: Contact Mariame Sy at sms2168@columbia.edu
Arabic: Friday, August 30, 10am-1pm, Knox 101 and 104
Armenian: Contact Charry Karamanoukian at ck2444@columbia.edu
Hebrew: Wednesday, August 28, 10am, Knox 103 and 104
Hindi-Urdu: Friday, August 30, 10am-1pm, Knox 103 & Friday, September 6, 10am-1pm, Knox 207
Persian: Thursday, August 29, 1pm-3pm, Knox 207
Sanskrit: Contact Tyler Richard at: tnr2151@columbia.edu
Turkish: Thursday, August 29, 2:00pm, Knox 208. Students also need to schedule an oral proficiency interview with Zuleyha Colak.
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 (see right column this page.)