UT Austin Exam in Chinese

Results of the UT Austin Test for Credit in Chinese are used to place students in UT Austin Chinese courses appropriate for their particular levels of proficiency. Test results also serve as a basis for awarding credit in one to four Chinese courses—CHI 606, 607, 312K, and 312L.

The test for lower-division placement and credit in Chinese contains multiple-choice questions based on the content of the textbook series Elementary Chinese Readers, Vols. 1-4 (Beijing Foreign Language Press, 1980). The test includes listening comprehension passages, spoken in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin). Students have a choice of formats for the grammar and reading comprehension passages, which are written either in simplified characters (Mainland China) or in traditional characters (Taiwan and Hong Kong). Ability to speak or write Chinese is not tested.

Where and When to Take the Test

The University of Texas exam in Chinese is given only on the UT Austin campus during the following periods:

• just before the beginning of each semester (fall, spring, and summer)
• daily during the first week of the fall and spring semesters 
• once per month during the year (including summer session)

Visit the Test Registration System to view and register for upcoming test dates.

Students for Whom the Test is Recommended or Appropriate

Students who have prior knowledge of Chinese (regardless of how it was acquired) and who do not have college credit in Chinese should take the UT Austin Test for Credit in Chinese before they can enroll in their first UT Austin Chinese course.

Students transferring college credit in Chinese are not required, but are strongly encouraged, to take this placement test and to use the results to help them choose their first course in Chinese at UT Austin. Transfer students may also use the placement test to earn additional credit in Chinese or to earn credit for lower-division courses from which they were exempted without credit at another institution. In no way will Chinese credit already earned be jeopardized by the results of this test.

Students who do not intend to enroll in a Chinese course but who wish to attempt to earn credit by examination may also take the placement test.

Registration Fee: 

The total of the fees for the test is $85. When you register for a test, you will immediately be billed for the non-refundable test registration fee of $25. After you take the test, you will be billed for the test fee of $60. Payments are due within 14 days of the billing date. All fees are subject to change.

Study Aids: 

The test for lower-division placement and credit in Chinese contains multiple-choice questions based on the content of the textbook series Elementary Chinese Readers, Vols. 1-4 (Beijing Foreign Language Press, 1980).

Test Results Retakes: 

Results are typically available within 24 hours after completing the test.

You may take the UT Austin Test for Credit in Chinese only once.