Placement Exams

Review the First-year Placement Exam Requirements Chart for information about which online placement exams are required by your academic unit.

Placement exam requirements are set by academic units, not the Office of New Student Programs (ONSP). ONSP cannot grant you an exception to take a placement. While you may already have transfer or AP credit in a subject, you should still take the online placement exam, unless otherwise noted.

Online placement exams are a tool used by your academic advisor to help guide course registration. Even if you might not plan to continue in a certain subject, the placement is helpful if you change your mind. Some placements are in place due to academic degree requirements by your school/college.

• Have your uniqname and password readily available. 
• Be sure your computer is fully charged (and with enough battery if you are away from an electrical outlet). 
• Arrange to take all online tests in a quiet area, free from distractions (TVs, phones, etc.).
• Allow yourself ample time, as indicated in each section. 

Placement exams are an opportunity to find the right fit of classes for you at U-M. You do not need to study in advance.

The sooner the better! Generally, it is recommended to complete placement exams at least two weeks prior to your academic advising date to guarantee results. Some tests have a shorter turnaround time for results, which are noted below. Failure to take online placement exams prior to your academic advising date may result in delays in registering for classes in that subject area.

Please note that not all subjects are available to take online, in advance. In those circumstances, you will work with the department to arrange for placement prior to the term you plan on enrolling in the course. This will not impact your ability to register for other classes in other subjects.

All test results will be given to your academic advisor and reviewed with you during your academic advising date. Results cannot be provided ahead of time by ONSP or the individual departments.

Students who need to arrange for extended testing time/accommodations for online placement exams should follow the instructions below for each department.

• Math Placement: Complete a Math Placement Extended Time Request Form
• Chemistry Placement: Complete a Chemistry Placement Extended Time Request Form
• Romance Languages (Spanish, French, Italian): Complete a RLL Placement Accommodation Form
• For other language placements, view the contact listed under the "How and When To Take the Online Placement Exams."

Accommodations made for placement tests may not reflect how those same accommodations will be made during the school year. It is important that students with disabilities contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) as soon as possible to discuss your school year needs.

Do I have to take the Math Placement Exam?

Review the First-year Placement Exam Requirements Chart for information about which placement exams are required by your academic unit. If required, the Math Placement should be taken regardless of AP or transfer credit. Your advisor will use the placement result and any prior experience in math coursework to advise on next coursework.

When is the Math Placement available and when should I take it?

The Math Placement is available May 8-Aug. 31. (First-year students will gain access around May 8.) Complete the Math Placement at least three business days prior to your academic advising date.

How long is the Math Placement?

The standard test time limit is 50 minutes unless an extended time request is made.

Complete a Math Placement Extended Time Request Form to request extended time.

How do I take the Math Placement?

1. Go to the Math Placement website and read the instructions.
2. Select "Instr" on the left hand side.
3. Read the information and then select "Take the Placement Test" at the bottom of the page. Note that there is also a Sample Test that we recommend you take first to be sure that you are familiar with the test interface.
4. Enter your uniqname in all lowercase letters and without the "@umich.edu." You will need to have your uniqname and password to access the test.
5. Using a private window on your browser can help if you receive an error message when trying to log in to the test.

Questions?

Email onsp@umich.edu with questions about the Math Placement. For technical issues, please attach a screenshot of the error message you receive from the test in order to best assist you. ONSP may contact ITS and/or the Math Department as needed to help answer your questions!

Do I have to take the Chemistry Placement Exam?

Review the First-year Placement Exam Requirements Chart for information about which placement exams are required by your academic unit.

• LSA Students: If you have already received your AP Chemistry exam results, and achieved a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Chemistry exam, then you do not need to complete this exam. 
• Honors Students: Please take the Chemistry Placement Exam regardless of AP scores.)
• Engineering Students: If you have already received your AP Chemistry exam results, and achieved a score of 4, or 5 on the AP Chemistry exam, then you do not need to complete this exam. If you have not yet received your AP score, please take the placement.

When is the Chemistry Placement available and when should I take it?

The Chemistry Placement is available starting in April. Take the placement at least 10 business days prior to your advising date.

How long is the Chemistry Placement?

Standard test time is 60 minutes unless an extended time request is made. Complete a Chemistry Placement Extended Time Request form to request extended time.

How do I take the Chemistry Placement?

The Chemistry Placement is available through Canvas.

1. Self-enroll in the Chemistry Placement
2. Click on “Self-Enroll”
3. Select "Go to Course"
4. Read the instructions on the page and begin the test when you are ready.

You do not have to take the placement at the time you self-enroll in the course. After you self-enroll, it will be available from your Canvas Dashboard to take when you are ready to do so.

Do you need a U-M Letter Stating General Chemistry Proficiency to use with your future applications to MD, PA, DDS, DVM, DO, or other post-graduate professional programs?  

If you plan to attend a post-graduate MD, PA, DDS, etc. program, have been recommended placement into Chemistry 210/211 after completing the Introductory Chemistry Self-Diagnostic Exam, and do not have a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Chemistry exam, you may wish to request a letter to submit with your applications that certifies your proficiency in General Chemistry. This will exempt you from taking college-level General Chemistry coursework that is required for admission to most MD, PA, DDS, etc. programs. If you take Chem 125/6 and Chem 130, or plan to take these courses in the future, you do not need this letter and do not need to take the in-person certification exam.

How can I request a letter?

• LSA Honors Students: Request your letter from Honors Advising
• Engineering Students: Request your letter from Biomedical engineering and pre-health advisor, Rachel Patterson (rjpatt@umich.edu)
• Kinesiology Students: Request your letter from Kinesiology Pre-Health Advisors
• All other students: Request your letter through this online form.

Questions?

For questions about the Chemistry Placement, please email chemundergrad@umich.edu. Please include your uniqname or UMID number in your inquiries.

UWrite is an online self-placement tool that guides you to reflect on your writing experiences and learning preferences, and helps you select First-Year Writing Requirement courses that fit your interests and needs.

Do I have to complete UWrite?  

Review the First-year Placement Exam Requirements Chart for information about which placement exams are required by your academic unit.

How and when can I access UWrite?

UWrite is available online. You should complete UWrite two weeks before your virtual advising date during orientation.

How long will it take to complete UWrite?

It will take you about 15 minutes to complete the self-placement module, though you may want to spend more time exploring your course options thoroughly. 

What happens after I complete UWrite?

1. You will receive an email summary of your responses to UWrite, which will include the courses that interested you.
2. Academic advisors will have access to the same summary and use it to discuss your choices with you at virtual advising sessions during orientation.

Questions?

Email sweetlandinfo@umich.edu for further information and specific questions.

Please note that placements are used for placement only and some departments may require a results validation process if you are placing out of a degree requirement.

Do I have to take the Language Placement Exam?

Review the First-year Placement Exam Requirements Chart for information about which online placement exams are required by your academic unit.

• AP credit is applied differently based on the language department and your academic unit’s AP credit policies. You may still need to take a placement regardless of previous credit. Please visit the website of the language department for more information.
• If you have no prior experience in a language you would like to study, you may register for the first course in the language sequence without taking a language placement. Otherwise, you should take a language placement test if required by your academic unit and/or you plan to continue in that language. 

LSA Students: A student whose first language is not English and who attended a high school where English was not the language of instruction does not need to take a language placement.

When are they available and when should I take it?

Availability varies based on the language.

Some tests are online and some include virtual interviews. Take your placement test, including any virtual interviews, at least two weeks prior to your registered academic advising date so that your results can be processed and made available.

You may still be eligible to participate in advising if you cannot complete the language placement two weeks in advance; however, you may not be able to enroll in the language class until your results are in the system. Even if you are unsure that you wish to continue in that language, the placement result will give you the necessary permissions to enroll.

How do I take the Language Placements?

The process to take the language placements varies based on the language. 

Not all languages will be available to take online in advance as some may be offered as a proctored exam in a later term. You can find more information about other languages from their websites.

How long are the Language Placements?

Length and process of the placement varies based on the language. Some tests are online and some include virtual interviews. 

For extended time requests and test accommodations, view the contact information listed below.

Questions?

Please contact the department of the language directly for questions.

Below is a list of languages offered online, as part of orientation:

Arabic Placement Exam

Available Dates: April 13 and April 25; summer dates coming soon 

The Arabic Placement test is a virtually proctored placement offered twice (April 13 and April 25). Registration is required on the Middle East Studies website. If possible, please register for a placement test that occurs prior to your scheduled orientation session in order to allow your placement results to be available to your academic advisor. Exams scheduled in the summer months will be shared at a later point. Students should check the Middle East Studies website for additional dates. 

Contact the director of the Arabic program at mesarabicprogram@umich.edu if none of the dates work for you and for any questions or accommodations for the Arabic Placement Exam.

Chinese Placement Exam

Available Dates: May 10, May 25, June 7, June 16, June 26, July 6, July 17, July 27, Aug. 10, and Aug. 21

Registration is required. If possible, please register for a placement that occurs at least one week prior to your scheduled Virtual Academic Advising session so that your placement results will be available to your academic advisor when you meet. Once you register, you will receive detailed instructions, including the exam link, via email a couple of days before your exam date. Please review the Asian Languages and Cultures website for more information.

Contact Kening Li, director of the Chinese Language Program, at keningli@umich.edu for questions or accommodations for the Chinese placement.

Filipino Placement Exam

Available Dates: May 15-Aug. 18

The Filipino Placement consists of an online placement test in Canvas, followed by scheduling a placement interview with Irene Gonzaga (igonzaga@umich.edu). Please visit the Asian Languages and Cultures’ website and click on the tab for “Southeast Asian Language Tests” for more information. 

Contact Irene Gonzaga at igonzaga@umich.edu for questions or accommodations for the Filipino Placement Exam.

French Placement Exam

Available Dates: April - August

The French Placement Exam is a Canvas placement test. Self-enroll for the French Placement and click on “Enroll in this course” on the right hand side. After you enroll, you can go to the course and begin reading the instructions for the placement. 

Contact rll.placement@umich.edu for questions. If you require accommodations such as extended time, complete an RLL accommodation form.

German Placement Exam

Available Dates: The Canvas portion of the test is available anytime. The subsequent placement interviews can also be scheduled anytime.

The German Placement is a Canvas placement test followed by a brief Zoom interview. Self-enroll for the German Placement Exam and click on “Enroll in this course” on the right hand side. After you enroll, go to the course and begin reading the instructions for the placement test. After completing the test on Canvas, you will be prompted to schedule an interview with the German department (we recommend scheduling the interview when prompted, but have included the link here in case you are unable to do so). 

Contact germanplacement@umich.edu for questions or accommodations for the German placement test.

Indonesian Placement Exam

Available Dates: May 1-Aug. 25

The Indonesian Placement Exam is a Canvas placement test and a Zoom interview with the Asian Languages and Cultures department. Self-enroll in the Indonesian Placement Exam and click on “Enroll in this course” on the right hand side. After you enroll, you can go to the course and begin reading the instructions for the placement. 

Contact Agustini at agustini@umich.edu to schedule a placement interview (after you complete the Canvas test), or for any questions or accommodations about the Indonesian Placement Exam.

Italian Placement Exam

Available Dates: April - August

The Italian Placement Exam is a Canvas placement test. Self-enroll for the Italian Placement and click on “Enroll in this course” on the right hand side. After you enroll, you can go to the course and begin reading the instructions for the placement. 

Contact rll.placement@umich.edu for questions. If you require accommodations such as extended time, complete an RLL accommodation form.

Japanese Placement Exam

Available Dates: May 15-Aug. 23

The Japanese Placement Exam consists of a Canvas-based placement test and a virtual interview with the Asian Languages and Cultures department. Self-enroll in the Japanese Placement Canvas Course (click on “Enroll in this course” in the upper right-hand corner), then read the instructions and begin the Canvas-based portion of the test. 

Contact Christopher Schad (cjschad@umich.edu) or Yoshimi Sakakibara (ysakaki@umich.edu) to ask any questions or request any accommodations for the exam.

Korean Placement Exam

Available Dates: May 1-Aug. 11 (tentative)

The Korean Placement includes an online Canvas placement and may be followed by a virtual interview. Students must register. Once they register, they will receive a link to the exam. Visit the Asian Languages and Cultures website for additional information and instructions.

Contact Dr. Soyeon Kim, director of the Korean Language Program (ksoyeon@umich.edu) for any questions, concerns and/or accommodations for the Korean placement.

Latin Placement Exam

Available Dates: April-August

The Latin Placement is a Canvas placement test. Self-enroll in the Latin Placement and click on “Enroll in this course” on the right hand side. After you enroll, you can go to the course and begin reading the instructions for the placement. Please note that after taking the exam in Canvas, you need to sign up for a meeting with the proctor to finalize your placement score.  This meeting is held via Zoom and is a required part of the test.

Contact mbiggs@umich.edu for questions or accommodations for the Latin Placement.

Modern Hebrew Placement Exam

Available Dates: Schedule a placement interview with Dr. Adi Raz

Students should contact the director of the Hebrew program to set up a placement interview. Please schedule the interview to occur at least two weeks before your scheduled advising. All contact information is on the Middle East Studies website.

Russian Placement Exam

Available Dates: April-August

The Russian Placement Exam is a Canvas placement test, followed by a brief interview. Self-enroll in the Russian Placement Exam and click on “Enroll in this course” on the right hand side. After you enroll, you can go to the course and begin reading the instructions for the placement. After completing the test on Canvas, please schedule your Russian oral proficiency interview by emailing Nina Shkolnik at shkolnik@umich.edu. Residential College students may email Alina Makin at resco@umich.edu to schedule their oral proficiency interviews. 

Contact russianplacement@umich.edu for questions or accommodations for the Russian Placement Exam.

Spanish Placement Exam

Available Dates: April-August

You will automatically have access to the Spanish Placement from your Canvas Dashboard (timed with when you receive the orientation invite email). If you have no prior experience in Spanish, you do not need to take the placement; however, all incoming students will have access to the test if they need to take it. 

Contact rll.placement@umich.edu for questions. If you require accommodations such as extended time, complete an RLL accommodation form.

South Asian Language Placement Exams: Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, & Urdu

Available Dates: Scheduled upon request April-August

Find information about the Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu placements in this Canvas course. Self-enroll using the Canvas link for instructions on scheduling a specific exam and/or placement interview. Click on “Enroll in this course” on the right-hand side. After you enroll, go to the course and read the instructions for how to complete the placement exam. Please refer to the specific contacts below for each language:

Bengali Placement Exam 
Contact: Faijul Hoque (drhoque@umich.edu)

Hindi Placement Exam 
Contact: Mohammad Umar Anjum (uanjum@umich.edu)

Punjabi Placement Exam 
Contact: Pinderjeet Gill (pjgill@umich.edu)

Urdu Placement Exam 
Contact: Syed Ali (ekhteyar@umich.edu)

Thai Placement Exam

Available Dates: May 2-Aug. 15

The Thai Placement is a Canvas placement test and followed by scheduling an interview. Self-enroll in the Thai Placement Exam and click on “Enroll in this course” on the right hand side. After you enroll, you can go to the course and begin reading the instructions for the placement exam. 

Contact Aimkamon Bunmee (aimkamon@umich.edu) to schedule an interview. You can also contact Aimkamon with any questions or accommodations for the Thai Placement Exam.

Vietnamese Placement Exam

Available Dates: TBA on Canvas

The Vietnamese Placement Exam is a Canvas-based placement test that will assess students' language proficiency with written and oral tests. Self-enroll in the Vietnamese Placement Exam and click on “Enroll in this course” on the right hand side. After you enroll, you can go to the course and begin reading the instructions for the placement. Students will receive announcements between May 15 and Aug. 5 about the actual dates of the placement tests that students can take with Canvas. The detailed dates for every semester will be updated on the Vietnamese department site and on the Canvas site.

Contact Thuy-Anh Nguyen (tanguyen@umich.edu) for questions or accommodations.

Additional Languages

If you are interested in a language not listed above, please find more information about the languages offered at U-M and visit their website for contact information.