Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I go about taking a placement exam for Japanese?
• The Japanese placement exam is administered throughout the year UC Davis Language Center (DLC) in the 53 Olson Hall.  It is a multiple choice test with three primary parts which include grammar, reading and listening comprehension.  The exam will take about one hour to complete based on your Japanese competence.  You will get your results and placement level immediately upon completion of the test.  You can register for a Japanese language class prior to taking the placement exam; but during the first week of class it may be determined that you are in an inappropriate class level based on your oral and written language proficiency.  Contact the UC Davis Language Center for more information or to arrange a time to take the placement exam.
  
  You may contact Prof. Nobuko Koyama (nkoyama@ucdavis.edu), the Japanese Language Coordinator, if you have any questions about the process.
• Can I take the placement test to fulfill the college foreign language requirement?
• Yes.  The College of Letters and Science currently has a 15 unit level of proficiency or one year required in a foreign language as the foreign language requirement.  This does not mean that you have to take 15 units of a language class, just prove proficiency through that level.  To fulfill the College requirement, you would need to place into Chinese 4 or Chinese 3BL or Japanese 4.  Some Majors have additional foreign language requirements -  such as International Relations.  Be sure to check with your Major Advisor to determine if you have additional requirements.
• I took the AP exam for Japanese Language in high school - shouldn't this indicate what my language proficiency is?
• Taking the Japanese Language AP exam does not clearly indicate which Japanese course would be best for you to continue your Japanese language studies.  Some students are ready for 4th year language classes while others are better suited in the 3rd year language courses.  If you have scored a 3, 4 or 5 on your AP language exam, you are strongly advised to take the Japanese Placement Test to determine where to continue your language studies.  Visit the UC Davis Language Center website for information on scheduling a language placement exam.  The exams are offered throughout the academic year.
  
  Students that scored a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Japanese Language Exams are strongly encouraged to consider doing a minor, major or double major with Japanese since you will bypass the majority, if not all, of the lower division language courses required for a Japanese Major thus completing the Major at an accelerated pace sometimes allowing adequate time for a double or even triple major.  Meet the EALC undergraduate advisor to help you determine if a double major or minor in Japanese is a possibility for you.
• I took the Japanese Placement Exam last year. Are my results still good?
• Yes, Japanese Placement Exam assessments are good for one year.  If it has been more than one year, please contact Professor Nobuko Koyama to discuss retaking the exam.