UT Austin Exam in Japanese

The test for lower-division placement and credit in Japanese consists of multiple-choice items that include listening comprehension passages, spoken in standard Japanese, and grammar and reading comprehension passages. Ability to speak or write Japanese is not tested.

Results of the UT Austin test for credit in Japanese are used to place students in UT Austin Japanese courses appropriate for their particular levels of proficiency. Test results also serve as a basis for awarding credit in one to three Japanese courses—JPN 601D, 610D, 611D.

Where and When to Take the Test

The University of Texas exam in Japanese is given only on the UT Austin campus:

• just before the first summer session
• just before and during the first week of fall semester
• mid-semester fall 
• just before and during the first week of spring semester 
• mid-semester spring

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 Japanese (regardless of how it was acquired) and who do not have college credit in Japanese must take the UT Austin Test for Credit in Japanese before they can enroll in their first UT Austin Japanese course. The UT Austin Test for Credit in Japanese is offered only on the UT Austin campus, at regularly scheduled times.

Students transferring college credit in Japanese 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 Japanese at UT Austin. Transfer students may also use the placement test to earn additional credit in Japanese or to earn credit for lower-division courses from which they were exempted without credit at another institution. In no way will Japanese credit already earned be jeopardized by the results of this test.

Students who do not intend to enroll in a Japanese 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: 

Students are encouraged to study the content of the textbook series currently used at UT Austin:

• Yookoso, Vols. 1-2, Yasu-Hiko Tohasaku, McGraw Hill, Third Edition, 2005.

Test Results and Retakes: 

Results are available within a few days after the test date.

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