Spring 2026 exam dates are posted below.
10/28/25 – Class Availability released
11/17/25 – Registration begins: continuing students
Important Information
Continuing and incoming students with prior experience in the language (i.e., formal classroom training, residence in the country of its use, cohabitation with a native speaker, etc.) are required to take a placement exam to determine the suitable course. A placement adjustment made in the first week of class does not guarantee a seat in the appropriate course.
Students returning from UHM’s study abroad program and continuing Japanese at UHM must take the JPN placement exam.
For Japanese only, the placement exam is optional for students who have earned prerequisite credits at a UH campus, including community colleges. However, we strongly recommend it if you are interested in 300-400 level courses, if there is a gap since your last language class, or if you would like a better sense of your placement.
Please Note:
– Japanese non-native speakers requesting a language waiver must receive an exam score of at least JPN 301 and pass an oral interview.
– Students may only retake a placement exam after one year.
– The placement exam cannot be used to advance out of a class that was failed or not completed.
Back Credits
Students are eligible for “back credits” upon completion of a higher-level language course with a C (not C-) or higher if:
1) The course is their first course in that language at UHM.
2) They do not have transfer credits in that language.
3) They have never received back credits in any language.
Students starting from 101 or equivalent will not receive back credits. Please refer to the UHM Back Credits Policy for more details.
Students may complete the Back Credits Petition Form and email it to EALL Advising at ealladv@hawaii.edu.
If you have questions, please contact EALL Advising at ealladv@hawaii.edu.
Placement Exam Registration (UH email)
JPN/KOR online exams have a 1-hour time limit and can be completed at your convenience between 10 AM to 5 PM. Submissions are due by 5 PM HST. The exam instructions will be sent on the day of the exam.
CHN Placement Exam (in-person only)
| Date | Time | Location |
12/1/25 (Mon) 12/5/25 (Fri) 1/8/26 (Thu) 1/14/26 (Wed) | 12 PM – 4 PM (any 2-hour slot) 2 PM – 4 PM 10 AM – 12 PM 2 PM – 4 PM | Moore Hall 153B |
JPN Placement Exam (online only)
| Date | Time | Location |
11/13/25 (Thu) 12/2/25 (Tue) 12/3/25 (Wed) 12/4/25 (Thu) 1/8/26 (Thu) 1/14/26 (Wed) | 10 AM – 5 PM | Online |
KOR Placement Exam (online only)
| Date | Time | Location |
12/2/25 (Tue) 12/3/25 (Wed) 12/4/25 (Thu) 1/8/26 (Thu) 1/14/26 (Wed) | 10 AM – 5 PM | Online |