Language Proficiency Exams
Non-credit foreign language proficiency certification (Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese) may be used to satisfy Penn State’s foreign language requirements.
The request form for proficiency testing is to be submitted to the Asian Studies Department with the $60 fee paid through the Language Proficiency site before the examination is administered. Exam dates are posted on the Asian Studies website.
General exam questions can be sent to Becky Cross or Mary Price.
For Chinese Language exam questions, contact Yupeng Kou.
For Japanese language exam questions, contact Haruko Iwami.
For Korean language exam questions, contact Lan Kim.
For Hindi exam questions, contact Ritu Jayakar.
For questions about this policy, contact the School of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Proficiency Exam Dates
Chinese Exam Dates: The Chinese non-credit proficiency exams will be administered online on the following dates. Students should FIRST read the Exam Application Instructions (located at the bottom of this page) very carefully before registering for an exam, and MUST strictly follow the instructions to complete the registration. Please pay close attention to the exam dates/times and the registration deadline for each of the exams. All dates and times are US Eastern Standard Time. There will be NO exam in Summer 2023. The next exam will be offered during Fall 2023.
Exam 1: Thursday, Feb. 16 at 9-11am, registration closes at Friday, Feb. 10 at 4pm.
Exam 2: Wednesday, Mar. 22 at 3-5pm, registration closes at Friday, Mar. 17 at 4pm.
Exam 3 (LAST EXAM OF 2023 Spring Semester): Tuesday, Apr. 18 at 1-3pm, registration closes at Friday, Apr. 14 at 4pm.
Korean Exam Dates: The Korean non-credit proficiency exams will be administered online on the following dates. Students should FIRST read the Exam Application Instructions (located at the bottom of this page) very carefully before registering for an exam, and MUST strictly follow the instructions to complete the registration. Please pay close attention to the exam dates/times and the registration deadline for each of the exams. There will be NO exam in summer. Next exam will be offered during Fall 2023.
Exam 1: 2/8 Wednesday at 4:30 – 6:00 pm (EST). Registration closes at 4 pm on 2/3 Friday (EST)
Exam 2: 3/27 Monday at 4:30 – 6:00 pm (EST). Registration closes at 4 pm on 3/23 Thursday (EST)
LAST EXAM OF 2023 Spring Semester Exam 3: 4/13 Thursday at 9:00 – 10:30 am (EST). Registration closes at 4 pm on 4/7 Friday (EST)
Hindi Exam Dates:
The Hindi Proficiency exam dates for Spring 2023 are:
Wednesday March 22, 1:30pm
Friday April 21, 3pm
The examination would have written and oral components. It will evaluate reading and writing proficiency in Devanagari along with Hindi comprehension and ability to articulate accurately in a culturally appropriate manner.
Please get in touch with Mary Price (meo12@psu.edu) to complete the registration process.
NOTE: a $60 fee must be paid before signing up for the exam at Language Proficiency.