Quick‑Start Guide for Language Class Placement
You may keep this page open during your exam.
Is This the Right Exam?
This guide is only for: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Punjabi
- Other Placement Exams:
- French, German, Russian, Spanish, go here:
- Portuguese, Hebrew, or Latin courses: Please contact those departments directly.
What This Exam Does (and Does Not Do)
✅ Helps you choose the correct class level for the language you're planning to study
✅ Gives instant results
✅ It is free, online, and taken from home
❌ Does NOT fulfill any language requirements
❌ Does NOT give any units or fulfill any graduation requirements
Retake Rules for Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Punjabi
- Chinese: Can retake after 2 years
- All others: Can retake after 1 year
- Earlier retake allowed after study abroad / internship abroad / permissions from language coordinators or College of Letters & Science
⚠️ Warning: Unauthorized retakes will be reported as academic dishonesty.
Before You Start -- Quick Start Checklist
✔ UC Davis account active (CAS + Duo).
✔ Reliable internet connection.
✔ Headphones ready (required for most exams).
✔ Use your name exactly as it is in OASIS.
✔ Use your UC Davis email (lowercase only).
🚫 Do NOT use browser Back, Forward, or Reload during the exam.
Take the Exam
- Go to: https://ucdlc.ucdavis.edu/internal-foreign-language-exams.
- Click UC Davis Login and sign in.
- Click Next to begin.
- Read all instructions carefully.
- Answer every question.
- Do not guess (Because you could end up in the wrong level!).
- If unsure, choose “E. I don’t know the answer.”
- Review answers before clicking Next (→). Note: You cannot go back later.
- Important Exam Notes
- Chinese & Hindi: simplified and traditional characters appear together.
- Listening sections:
- There are audio replay limits.
- Click ▶ and listen fully before answering.
After You Finish
- Results appear immediately and are emailed to you.
- The class listed in the very top line = the class you should enroll in.
- If the results say “placement” or “incomplete” instead of a course level, read and follow the instructions further down in the email you received.
Additional Required Assessments
- Chinese or Japanese: follow instructions in the results email and contact a professor for oral assessment.
- Italian: email Dr. Melissa Demos → [email protected] for written and oral assessment.
- Middle East & South Asia languages:
Use chart in results email to find correct level. Contact ME/SA if you need help enrolling in the correct class: https://mesa.ucdavis.edu/advising-office
If anything goes wrong with your exam, email Mary at [email protected]
Exit the exam and close your browser.
Advisors & Records
- Results are visible to advisors and the Dean’s Office within 1 week.
- If needed sooner, show your advisor the results email.
Questions?
Write to us at [email protected] with questions or if you need help.
Want to Meet the Language Requirement by Taking a Proficiency Exam Instead?
Proficiency exams are different than Placement exams. Proficiency Exams are in‑person, supervised exams that can fulfill a language requirement. Many are available on a walk-in basis at the Davis Language Center. More information is here: https://ucdlc.ucdavis.edu/foreign-language-proficiency-exams and here: https://ucdlc.ucdavis.edu/testing-information-letter