For entry into Intermediate Sanskrit: The placement exam resembles a final exam for Introductory Sanskrit. It tests for a knowledge of the script, sandhi, parts of speech and morphological identification, basic nominal and verbal declensions, syntax, compound analysis, and basic reading comprehension of Epic Sanskrit with the use of a dictionary. The exam presumes successful completion of a textbook such as Deshpande’s Saṃskṛtasubodhinī or the Goldmans’ Devavāṇīpraveśikā and some experience in reading Epic, such as that in Lanman’s Sanskrit Reader or Scharf’s Rāmopākhyāna. It should not take more than two hours. Interested students should attend Intermediate Sanskrit classes and arrange with the Language Coordinator to sit for the exam in the first two weeks of the course.
For entry into Advanced Sanskrit: The placement exam resembles a final exam for Intermediate Sanskrit. Because the readings and genres covered in Intermediate differ in every program, the exam focuses on what they tend to share in common: Epic Sanskrit and simple narrative prose literature. Students should be prepared to translate passages drawn from these genres, as well as a selection of simple poetry or straightforward systematic thought (śāstra), depending on their prior readings in the language. For all texts translated, students are asked to analyze a certain amount of grammar as well as select compounds and derivations. The exam should not take more than two hours. Interested students should attend Advanced Sanskrit classes and arrange with the Language Coordinator to sit for the exam in the first two weeks of the course.