Japanese Placement Exam


Information on How to Place Yourself in the Appropriate Language Course(s)

Students with no previous Japanese language coursework should preregister for:

  • JAPN-011 Intensive First Level Japanese I

All other students must take the online placement test during the summer to determine the appropriate level for purposes of course enrollment.

Students who believe they will place out of the College’s foreign language requirement in Japanese, and who do not intend to continue their study of Japanese at Georgetown, should take the online Placement Exam [link and instructions here] at any time prior to August 23 and complete a Zoom interview on August 19, which will be scheduled by the Department. Students taking the Japanese Zoom interview must sign up via this form using their GUID. After signing up, they will be provided with the link to join a Zoom meeting by email.

Students seeking AP credit in Japanese should take the online placement exam. In order to receive AP credit, students must take at least one Japanese language course at the level of their placement (beyond JAPN 112) at Georgetown. For additional information about advanced credit, please consult the AP/IB Policies.

How to take the online placement exam:

In order to take the test, you must self-enroll in the “course” on Canvas.

1.   Click here.

2.   Log in to Canvas using your NetID and password.

3.   After logging in, click “Enroll in Course”.

4.   Click “Go to the Course”.

5.   Click “Instructions” to start the test.

6.   Use the “Next” button on the bottom to navigate the test.

7.   Make sure to click on the “Submit Quiz” button on the right bottom for each section, even if you do not answer all questions in the section.

8.   When you successfully complete the test, you will see the placement chart. Refer to “Grades” on the left for your score.

9.   Enroll in the appropriate course based on your placement result.

Make sure that you have a reliable internet connection, and that your browser is up to date. We recommend Google Chrome or Firefox, but not Safari. Make sure that Flash Player is installed on your computer in order to play audio for Listening Comprehension. If not, download Flash Player from Adobe.com. If the audio does not work during Audio Check, try a different browser. Make sure that the speakers or headsets are properly connected to your computer, and that the speakers are on. Close other programs running on the computer.

Set aside ample quiet time before you begin the test so that you can complete each section in one sitting. Avoid distraction; focus only on the exam until it is completed. Do not refresh the browser window after beginning the test. 

To begin the exam, click the link only once. It may take some time for the exam to load; give it at least one full minute. If, after clicking once, nothing happens for over a minute, contact the UIS Service Center as soon as possible. Do not click the link multiple times: if you do, you will see a message stating that you have already taken the exam and you will not be able to access it again.

Make sure to click on the “Submit Quiz” button on the right bottom for each section, even if you do not answer all questions in the section; otherwise, you will not be able to proceed to the next section. To proceed to the next section, select “Next” at the bottom of the page. Submit all sections until you see a message with the placement results chart. 

If you encounter a problem or a technical difficulty that prevents you from finishing the exam, contact the UIS Service Center as soon as possible.

Contact information:
UIS Service Center: 202-687-4949 or help@georgetown.edu.

If you have a question or concerns regarding your placement, contact the Japanese program in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures: Email Professor Yoshiko Mori.