Placement

The University's language programs require a grade of C- or better (or S) to continue on to the next level. Otherwise, students are required to pass a placement test. Those who wish to take a course higher than 1011 (the first of a two-semester sequence of beginning Japanese) are required to take a placement test if:

  • They have not taken a Japanese language course at the University of Minnesota
  • Their grade for the preceding course is not a C- or better, nor an S
  • There is more than a 1.5-year blank period after their completion date of the preceding course

Please note that:

  • You must enroll in a Japanese language course, or put your name on the waitlist, prior to registration for the placement test to secure your spot before the class gets full
  • In order to enroll in a course, please contact the instructor who teaches the section you wish to enroll in or Fumiko Matsumoto (matsu021@umn.edu) to get a permission number
  • You may not take a placement test for the same course within a calendar year
Placement tests will be taken online using Zoom. Once you register for the placement test, your instructor will contact you 2-3 weeks prior to the semester beginning to set up a date and time. The test itself will be about 1-2 weeks before the semester begins. If you need to take it earlier, contact your instructor via email.

Date, Time, and Place of Test

For those who cannot take the test on the scheduled day, please contact the course instructor via email. We strongly encourage everyone to take it before the semester or session begins.

Not sure who your instructor is? Email Fumiko Matsumoto (matsu021@umn.edu).

Online Registration Form

Complete the registration form to enroll in the upcoming placement test.

Please enroll in the course you wish to be placed in before registering for the placement test.

We will notify you of the results of the placement test via email on the day you take the test. If necessary, please change your enrollment status upon receiving the results. Passing the placement test does not guarantee you a seat in the class. However, please note that you must attend that class on the first day, so that you will not miss anything if/when you are officially admitted to the course. Please refer to the first day of class attendance policy.

Should you have any questions, please contact the instructor of the course in which you would like to be placed.

Test Preparation

The placement test will take around 15-30 minutes. The tests for 1012-3022 may consist of small talk, conjugation of verbs and adjectives, particles (を / が / に / で, etc.), Kanji reading, and translation.

To determine which level would be best for you and to prepare for the test, refer to the chart below, which indicates what content you need to know to get into the course. Take a look at the textbooks at the University Bookstore in Coffman Memorial Union. If you still don't know your level, contact the course instructor.

Level Textbook(s)
1012 (the second semester of beginning Japanese): Written test only Genki, Vol.1 (2nd edition, Japan Times) up to and including Lesson 6
3021 (the first semester of intermediate Japanese): Written test only Genki, Vol.1 (2nd edition, Japan Times) up to and including Lesson 12
3022 (the second semester of intermediate Japanese):  Genki, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (2nd edition, Japan Times) up to and including Lesson 17
3031 (the first semester of third-year Japanese): Genki, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (2nd edition, Japan Times)
3032 (the second semester of third-year Japanese): Genki, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (2nd edition, Japan Times)
TOBIRA up to and including Lesson 5
4041 (the first semester of advanced Japanese): Genki, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (2nd edition, Japan Times)
TOBIRA up to and including Lesson 10
4042 (the second semester of advanced Japanese): Genki, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (2nd edition, Japan Times)
TOBIRA up to and including Lesson 15