Fall Placement Testing
AY 26-27 Placement Testing
We have extended the July 15 placement testing deadline for many languages. You can still take the test, but please do so ASAP! Check below for language-specific deadlines.
Honor Code
While taking any placement test, remember that you are subject to the Stanford Honor Code and Fundamental Standard. Specifically, you are not permitted to receive outside assistance on these examinations. "Outside assistance" means, among other things, the use of books, notes, dictionaries, grammar books, spell checkers, grammar checkers, translation tools, cutting and pasting foreign language items from the web, and composing items in writing before speaking.
It is very important that you do your best on this exam and that you do not receive any help with it. In order to make good judgments about your language placement in Stanford programs, we need good information about your level and knowledge.
Jump down to:
Arabic Placement Testing | Classical Greek Placement Testing | Filipino Placement Testing | French Placement Testing | German Placement Testing | Hebrew Placement Testing | Hindi Placement Testing | Italian Placement Testing | Japanese Placement Testing | Korean Placement Testing | Latin Placement Testing | Modern Chinese Placement Testing | Persian Placement Testing | Portuguese Placement Testing | Russian Placement Testing | Spanish Placement Testing | Vietnamese Placement Testing
Arabic Placement Testing
The placement assessment for Arabic includes both written and oral components and takes place during a scheduled 60-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with an Arabic instructor between July 1 and August 15, 2026. Placement testing for Arabic generally only takes place once per year (prior to the start of the academic year), so students should plan accordingly.
Click here to enroll in the Arabic Placement Test.
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, ARABLANG 21). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Please email the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center) if you have any questions.
Classical Greek Placement Testing
The placement assessment for Classical Greek will take place in person during New Student Orientation (NSO). Testing is scheduled for Friday, September 18, 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Please see the NSO schedule for the most up-to-date information. Students who plan to take the test should sign up on the Canvas site in advance.
Click here to sign up for the Classical Greek Placement Test
Please email John Tennant or the classics [at] stanford.edu (Department of Classics) if you have questions about the placement testing process for Classical Greek.
For questions about satisfying the undergraduate language requirement, please contact the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center).
Filipino Placement Testing
The placement assessment for Filipino includes both written and oral components and will take place online between August 15 - 31, 2026 by appointment. All placement testing should be completed by August 31, so students should plan accordingly.
Please use the following link to request a placement assessment.
Click here to enroll in the Filipino Placement Test
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade. Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Please email the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center) if you have any questions.
French Placement Testing
French Placement Testing
Extended Deadline: August 15, 2026
To complete the placement process, you must take both the online text component and oral test.
The online text component must be completed before the oral test.
Online Text Component
Complete by August 15, 2026
This online exam represents step one of the French Placement Test and covers listening, grammar, and typing short answers.
You must complete the online text component and have signed up for the oral portion by August 15, 2026. We cannot guarantee appointments or placements for students who miss the deadline.
Important: You will have 60 minutes to complete the test once you begin. When you are ready to enroll in the test, click on the link below that says "Take Online Text Component here," sign in with your SUNet ID and password, then click "Enroll in Course" to get to the instructions page. Before you start the written test in "Quizzes" be sure you have a good internet connection and enough time to take the entire test in a single sitting. You cannot stop and restart the test.
Oral Portion
(Schedule appointment by August 15, 2026)
Note: you must take the online text component before you take the oral test.
The next step of the placement process is an oral interview. This will be a live, one-on-one interview via Zoom with a certified tester, one of the instructors in the program. Please sign up for your interview using the link provided on the introduction page of the French placement test (link above for online text component). NOTE: At the time of your interview, you will need a photo ID, your Stanford ID number, and SUNet ID.
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within three weeks after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, FRENLANG 21C). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
German Placement Testing
German Placement Testing
Extended Deadline: August 15, 2026
To complete the placement process, you must take both the online text component and oral test.
The online text component must be completed before the oral test.
Online Text Component
Complete by August 15, 2026
This online exam represents step one of the German Placement Test and covers listening, grammar, and typing short answers. You must complete the online text component and have signed up for the oral portion by August 15, 2026.
Important: You will have 60 minutes to complete the test once you begin. When you are ready to enroll in the test, click on the link below that says "Take Online Text Component here," sign in with your SUNet ID and password, then click "Enroll in Course" to get to the instructions page. Before you start the written test in "Quizzes" be sure you have a good internet connection and enough time to take the entire test in a single sitting. You cannot stop and restart the test.
Oral Portion
(Schedule appointment by August 15, 2026)
Note: you must take the online text component before you take the oral test.
The next step of the placement process is an oral interview. This will be a live, one-on-one interview via Zoom with a certified tester, one of the instructors in the program. Please sign up for your interview using the link provided on the introduction page of the German placement test (link above for online text component). NOTE: At the time of your interview, you will need a photo ID, your Stanford ID number, and SUNet ID.
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within two weeks after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, GERLANG 21). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Hebrew Placement Testing
The placement test for Hebrew will take place between July 12-24 and August 1-10, 2026 by appointment. Please use the link below to sign up on the Canvas site and make an appointment for your test.
The placement assessment for Hebrew includes both written and oral components and will take place during a scheduled 60-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with a Hebrew instructor. Placement testing for Hebrew generally only takes place once per year (during the summer prior to the start of the academic year), so students should plan accordingly.
Click here to enroll in the Hebrew Placement Test
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade. Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Please email the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center )if you have any questions.
Hindi Placement Testing
The placement assessment for Hindi includes both written and oral components and will take place during a scheduled 60-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with a Hindi instructor between August 1 to 31, 2026. Placement testing for Hindi generally only takes place once per year (during the summer prior to the start of the academic year), so students should plan accordingly.
Please use the following link to schedule a placement assessment from August 1 to 31, 2026. Testing will conclude on August 31, 2026.
Click here to enroll in the Hindi Placement Test
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, HINDLANG 2: First-year Hindi, Second Quarter). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Please email the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center) if you have any questions.
Italian Placement Testing
Italian Placement Testing
Extended Deadline: August 15, 2026
To complete the placement process, you must take both the online text component and oral test.
The online text component must be completed before the oral test.
Online Text Component
Complete by August 15, 2026
This online exam represents step one of the Italian Placement Test and covers listening, grammar, and typing short answers.
You must complete the online text component and have signed up for the oral portion by August 15, 2026. We cannot guarantee appointments or placements for students who miss the deadline!
Important: You will have 60 minutes to complete the test once you begin. When you are ready to enroll in the test, click on the link below that says "Take Online Text Component here," sign in with your SUNet ID and password, then click "Enroll in Course" to get to the instructions page. Before you start the written test in "Quizzes" be sure you have a good internet connection and enough time to take the entire test in a single sitting. You cannot stop and restart the test.
Oral Test
(Schedule appointment by August 15, 2026)
Note: you must take the online text component before you take the oral test.
The next step of the placement process is an oral interview. This will be a live, one-on-one interview via Zoom with a certified tester, one of the instructors in the program. Please sign up for your interview using the link provided on the introduction page of the Italian placement test (link above for online text component). NOTE: At the time of your interview, you will need a photo ID, your Stanford ID number, and SUNet ID.
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, ITALLANG 21A). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Japanese Placement Testing
Japanese Placement Testing
Extended Deadline: August 15, 2026
To complete the placement process, you must take the Online Text Component, followed by a separately scheduled Zoom appointment for an oral and written test.
The online text component must be completed before the oral and written test.
Online Text Component
Complete by August 15, 2026
You must complete the online text component and have signed up for the oral portion by August 15, 2026. We cannot guarantee appointments or placements for students who miss the deadline!
This online exam represents step one of the Japanese Placement Test and covers listening, grammar, and typing short answers. Please see below for guidelines on when to take the online test.
Important: You will have 60 minutes to complete the test once you begin. When you are ready to enroll in the test, click on the link below that says "Take Online Text Component here," sign in with your SUNet ID and password, then click "Enroll in Course" to get to the instructions page. Before you start the written test in "Quizzes" be sure you have a good internet connection and enough time to take the entire test in a single sitting. You cannot stop and restart the test.
Oral and Written Test
Schedule appointment by August 15, 2026
Note: you must take the online text component before you take the oral and written test.
The next step of the placement process is an online oral interview and writing test conducted during a scheduled 60-minute Zoom session. This will be a live, one-on-one interview with a certified tester, one of the instructors in the program. Please sign up for your interview using the link provided on the introduction page of the Japanese placement test (link above for online text component).
At the time of your Zoom interview, please be sure to have the following items at hand:
- Pen/pencil and blank paper
- Your Stanford ID number
- A photo ID
- Your SUNet ID
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, JAPANLNG 21). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Korean Placement Testing
Korean Placement Testing
Extended Deadline: August 15, 2026
To complete the placement process, you must take the Online Text Component, followed by a separately scheduled Zoom appointment for an oral and written test.
The online text component must be completed before the oral and written test.
Online Text Component
Complete by August 15, 2026
You must complete the online text component and have signed up for the oral portion by August 15, 2026. We cannot guarantee appointments or placements for students who miss the deadline.
This online exam represents step one of the Korean Placement Test and covers vocabulary, grammar, and typing short answers. Please see below for guidelines on when to take the online test.
Important: You will have 60 minutes to complete the test once you begin. When you are ready to enroll in the test, click on the link below that says "Take Online Text Component here," sign in with your SUNet ID and password, then click "Enroll in Course" to get to the instructions page. Before you start the written test in "Quizzes" be sure you have a good internet connection and enough time to take the entire test in a single sitting. You cannot stop and restart the test.
Oral and Written Test
Schedule appointment by August 15, 2026
Note: you must take the online text component before you take the oral and written test.
The next step of the placement process is an online oral interview and writing test conducted during a scheduled 60-minute Zoom session. This will be a live, one-on-one interview with a certified tester, one of the instructors in the program. Please sign up for your interview using the link provided on the introduction page of the Korean placement test (link above for online text component).
At the time of your Zoom interview, please be sure to have the following items at hand:
- Pen/pencil and blank paper
- Your Stanford ID number
- A photo ID
- Your SUNet ID
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, KORLANG 21). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Latin Placement Testing
The placement assessment for Latin will take place in person during New Student Orientation (NSO). Testing is scheduled for Friday, September 18, 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Please see the NSO schedule for the most up-to-date information. Students who plan to take the test should sign up on the Canvas site in advance.
Click here to sign up for the Latin Placement Test
Please email John Tennant or the classics [at] stanford.edu (Department of Classics) if you have questions about the placement testing process for Latin.
For questions about satisfying the undergraduate language requirement, please contact the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center).
Modern Chinese Placement Testing
Modern Chinese Placement Testing
Extended Deadline: August 15, 2026
To complete the placement process, you must take the Online Text Component, followed by a separately scheduled Zoom appointment for an oral and written test.
The online text component must be completed before the oral and written test.
Online Text Component
Complete by August 15, 2026
You must complete the online text component and have signed up for the oral portion by August 15, 2026. We cannot guarantee appointments or placements for students who miss the deadline.
This online exam represents step one of the Chinese Placement Test and covers reading, grammar, and vocabulary. Please see the table below for guidelines on when to take the online test.
Important: You will have 90 minutes to complete the test once you log in and begin. When you are ready to enroll in the test, click on the appropriate link below (Simplified or Traditional according to your preference), sign in with your SUNet ID and password, then click "Enroll in Course" to get to the instructions page. Before you start the online text component in "Quizzes" be sure you have read the instructions, have a good internet connection and enough time to take the entire test in a single sitting. You cannot stop and restart the test.
Oral and Written Test
Schedule appointment by August 15, 2026
Note: you must take the online text component before you take the oral and written test.
The next step of the placement process is an online oral interview and writing test conducted during a scheduled 60-minute Zoom session. This will be a live, one-on-one interview with a certified tester, one of the instructors in the program. Please sign up for your interview using the link provided on the introduction page of the Chinese placement test (link above for online text component).
At the time of your Zoom interview, please be sure to have the following items at hand:
- Pen/pencil and blank paper
- Your Stanford ID number
- A photo ID
- Your SUNet ID
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, CHINLANG 3). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Persian Placement Testing
The placement assessment for Persian includes both written and oral components and will take place during a scheduled 60-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with a Persian instructor between June 15 - July 15, 2026. Placement testing for Persian generally only takes place once per year (during the summer prior to the start of the academic year), so students should plan accordingly.
Click here to sign up for the Persian Placement Test.
Please email the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center) if you have any questions.
Portuguese Placement Testing
The placement assessment for Portuguese includes both written and oral components and will take place during a scheduled 60-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with a Portuguese instructor from June 15 through August 15. NOTE: International students who have done the majority of their schooling in Portuguese, should not take this test. Please contact the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center) for guidance.
Click Here to sign up for the Portuguese Placement Test
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, PORTLANG2A). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Please email the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center )if you have any questions.
Russian Placement Testing
Russian Placement Testing
Extended Deadline: August 15, 2026
The placement assessment for Russian includes an online text component, followed by an oral and written exam conducted in person or on Zoom.
Placement testing for this language generally only takes place once per year (prior to the start of the academic year), so students should plan accordingly.
Online Text Component
Complete by August 15, 2026
This online exam represents step one of the Russian Placement Test and covers reading-comprehension, culture, and language structure.
You must complete the online text component and have signed up for the oral portion by August 15, 2026. We cannot guarantee appointments or placements for students who miss the deadline.
Important: You will have 75 minutes to complete the test once you begin. When you are ready to enroll in the test, click on the link below that says "Take Online Text Component here," sign in with your SUNet ID and password, then click "Enroll in Course" to get to the instructions page. Before you start the written test in "Quizzes" be sure you have a good internet connection and enough time to take the entire test in a single sitting. You cannot stop and restart the test.
Oral and Written Test
Schedule appointment by August 15, 2026
Note: you must take the online text component before you take the oral and written test.
The next step of the placement process is an online oral interview and writing test conducted during a scheduled 60-minute Zoom session. This will be a live, one-on-one interview with a certified tester, one of the instructors in the program. Please sign up for your interview using the link provided on the introduction page of the Russian placement test (link above for online text component).
At the time of your Zoom interview, please be sure to have the following items at hand:
- Pen/pencil and blank paper
- Your Stanford ID number
- A photo ID
- Your SUNet ID
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within a week to 10 days after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, SLAVLANG 3). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Spanish Placement Testing
Spanish Placement Testing
Extended Deadline: August 15, 2026
To complete the placement process, you must take both the online text component and oral test.
The online text component must be completed before the oral test.
Online Text Component
Complete by August 15, 2026
This online exam represents step one of the Spanish Placement Test and covers listening, grammar, and typing short answers. Please see below for guidelines on completing the online test.
Important: You will have 75 minutes to complete the test once you begin. When you are ready to enroll in the test, click on the link below that says "Enroll in Spanish Placement Test," sign in with your SUNet ID and password, then click "Enroll in Course" to get to the instructions page. Before you start the written test in "Quizzes" be sure you have a good internet connection and enough time to complete the entire test in a single sitting. You cannot stop and restart the test.
AP Note: If you are an incoming frosh who received a 4 or 5 on the AP Spanish Language Exam, you do not need to take the online written portion of the Spanish placement test. If you plan to continue in the language, you simply need to complete the oral portion of the placement test (please be sure to upload your qualifying AP score report in Canvas). To upload your score, you will need to enroll in the Canvas testing site (link below). This exemption applies only to incoming/current frosh, and does not apply to students applying for any BOSP program for which a Spanish placement test is needed.
Oral Portion
Sign up for appointment by August 15, 2026
The next step of the placement process is an online interview over the summer. This will be a one-on-one interview via Zoom with one of our Spanish instructors. Please sign up for your interview using the link provided on the introduction page of the Canvas site for the Spanish placement test. You will first need to enter the Canvas site using the link above that says "Enroll in Spanish Placement Test."
For students with qualifying AP scores, please be sure to read the instructions carefully and upload your AP score using the link provided in the Canvas site.
At the time of the interview, please be sure to have your photo ID, Stanford ID number, and SUNet ID ready to present to the interviewer.
Receiving your Placement
Your placement will be emailed to you within about three weeks after completion of the exam. The placement result will be a class, not a grade (for example, SPANLANG 11). Students must enroll in the class in which they are placed, rather than trying to self-place in another level. If you have questions/concerns about your placement, please contact the coordinator of the language program.
Vietnamese Placement Test
The placement assessment for Vietnamese includes both written and oral components and will take place during a scheduled 60-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with a Vietnamese instructor between August 1 to 31, 2026. Placement testing for Vietnamese generally only takes place once per year (during the summer prior to the start of the academic year), so students should plan accordingly.
Please use the following link to schedule a placement assessment between August 1 to 31, 2026.
Sign up for the Vietnamese Placement Test
Please email the languagecenter [at] stanford.edu (Language Center) if you have any questions.