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Program Regulation
Admission and Placement Test |
Except for those wishing to take first semester elementary level classes, all entering students are required to take the Chinese Placement Test (CPT). Continuing students must receive a grade of C+ or better for the current course to be admitted to the second semester of the same course, and B- or better to be able to move on to the next level. If a continuing student does not meet the requirement, he/she should also pass the CPT to be able to continue. The CPT is scheduled only once for each semester, usually on the Friday of the registration week before classes begin.
Click HERE to see frequently asked questions about the CPT.
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Attendence |
Attendance is imperative for successful completion of the Chinese courses and attendance is strictly enforced in the Chinese Program. We strongly advise students not to miss three classes in a semester. Upon any absence thereafter, unless legitimate documentation is presented, a half grade point will be deducted from the student's final grade, e.g. from A- to B+, from B+ to B, and so on. (Please note that a pre-purchased airplane ticket is not considered a legitimate document except for emergencies.)
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Homework Assignments |
Homework must be turned in on the due date according to your course syllabus or your instructor's schedule. Late work will not be accepted.
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Tests |
All scheduled tests are mandatory. Under no circumstances can a test be rescheduled for a student unless legitimate documentation is presented. (See the note under Attendance)
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Pass/Fail Option |
The Chinese Language Program does not grant a P/F grade. Students should contact the registrar to arrange a conversion from a given letter grade to a P/F. The P/F grade, however, cannot satisfy the language requirement for the East Asian major, nor does it qualify a student for advancement to higher level Chinese courses.
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Auditing |
No auditing is allowed in the Chinese Language Program.
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Code of Honor |
Students are expected to observe the highest standard of honor in their course work. Specifically they should not take the place of another in an exam, nor should they give or receive help from another during the exam.
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Grading Scale |
Please see your course syllabus for requirements and grading system. The following scale indicates the conversion equivalency. The highest grade that a student will receive from a Chinese course at Columbia is A.
Scores ------ Final Grade
- 94-100 ............... A
- 90-93..................
A-
- 87-89...................B+
- 83-86...................B
- 80-82...................B-
- 77-79...................C+
- 73-76...................C
- 70-72...................C-
- 60-69...................D
- 59 and below......F
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Chinese Placement Test
Fall 2013 Placement Test
Date: Thursday, August 29, 2013
Location: TBA
Contact Info
Office: 401 Kent
Tel: 212-854-4740
Email: Meng Laoshi ym11@columbia.edu or Hu Laoshi lh2318@columbia.edu
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Who should take the placement test? |
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You should take the Test if any one of the following applies to you:
You are a new graduate student to the Chinese Language Program.
You want to obtain a Chinese Proficiency Certificate and be placed out of the language requirement at Columbia University.
You know some Chinese (e.g. you studied Chinese elsewhere before, or you are from a Chinese family background) and wish to take a Columbia Chinese course other than the elementary level.
You had studied Chinese at Columbia some years ago and wish to pick it up again.
You had taken a Chinese placement test some years ago and now you wish to take a Chinese course at Columbia.
You took a Chinese course at Columbia and received a C or lower for your final grade in the first semester of that course; or C+ or lower for your second semester of that course. In other words, you have to get a C or better for the first semester in a Chinese course at Columbia in order to continue the course in the second semester. In order to enter next level, you must get a C+ or better. If your grade is lower than required, you need to pass the placement test to be able to continue your study.
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Who should NOT take the placement test? |
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Do not take the test if any one of the following applies to you:
You wish to take the elementary Chinese courses.
You cannot read or write in Chinese.
If you have a high school or college diploma from a country where Chinese is the official language, you do not need to take the test. Please visit Hu laoshi (lh2318@columbia.edu, Room 508 Kent) with your diploma to receive the language certificate, which will exempt you from the 2-year foreign language requirement.
If you have passed the SAT II Chinese Test with a score of 780 and above or if you have passed the AP Chinese Test with a score of 5, you can be exempted from the 2-year foreign language requirement. Please bring the proof of your test results to Hu laoshi (lh2318@columbia.edu, Room 508 Kent) to receive the language certificate, which will exempt you from the 2-year foreign language requirement.
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How can I make up the test if I have missed it? |
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If you wish to take a Chinese course for the current semester and if there is still space available in the class, you could speak to the Director of the Program. For those who wish to get a certificate for language proficiency, please see the FAQ-Certification.
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When and where is the test held? |
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Usually it is scheduled for 10:00 am-12:30 pm on the Thursday of the registration week for the Fall semester, and on the Friday for the Spring semester. The place for the test is Room 413 Kent Hall. Please be sure to arrive in the room 10 minutes early. If you are late, you will miss part of the test!
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Do I need to sign up for taking the test? |
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It is not necessary to sign up in advance. However you must be on time, or you will miss part of the test. There will be no make up test for placement purposes.
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Is there a fee for the test? |
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No fee is required if you are currently registered at Columbia. If not, you must pay $30 dollars in cash on site.
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Which character form is used in the test? |
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Both traditional and simplified forms are available in the same packet. You may choose the one you prefer, but be consistent throughout the test.
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Is there a way that I can prepare for the test? |
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The test is not based on any currently used textbook or course materials. The best way to prepare, perhaps, is to review the textbooks you have used before.
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What is the format of the test? |
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The test consists of the following:
1. Directions for the Test This is conducted in the beginning at 10:00 am. The information sheet and the test papers will be distributed to each student. Directions will be given.
2. Timed Writing (30 minutes). You are expected to write a narrative story in Chinese characters based on the pictures provided. When the time is up your writing will be collected even if it is unfinished. Try to write as much as you can and use as many expressions and vocabulary as appropriate in order for us to better asses your vocabulary range and proficiency level.
3. Listening Comprehension (approx. 20 minutes). Multiple-choice type questions. You are expected to choose the appropriate answer, after you hear a sentence, a short dialog or a short passage, and mark the corresponding number on the answer sheet (not on the question sheet). During this test, you should skip the items that are beyond your level, rather than randomly guess the answers.
4. Written Test (grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension). Multiple-choice type questions. You are expected to mark your choice of answer on the answer sheet. During this test, you should also skip the items that are beyond your level, rather than randomly guess the answers.
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When will the test results be available? |
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Results will be posted in the Department office after 4 p.m. on the same day. Students who take the test for certification purposes should pick up their certificates between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. See the contact info above for the office location and phone number.
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Certificate for Language Proficiency
Contact Info
Office: 401 Kent
Tel: 212-854-4740
Email: ym11@columbia.edu
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What is a Chinese proficiency certificate and who will need it? |
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A language proficiency certificate from the Columbia Chinese Program indicates your Chinese language proficiency level and the date of the test. It can be used for exemption from foreign language requirement (e.g. two or three years of a foreign language study) for your degree at Columbia. It can also be used for other purposes such as job search when you need a formal paper indicating your Chinese proficiency. |
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How can I get a Chinese proficiency certificate? |
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You can get a certificate by taking the Chinese Language Program Placement Test, which is held once per semester, usually scheduled at 10:00-12:30 on the Friday of the registration week before classes begin. You must be ON TIME or you will miss part of the test. Results will be posted in the EALAC office after 4:00 p.m. on the same day. |
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Do I need to apply or sign up for the test? |
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No, but you must be on time or you will miss part of the test! A $30 fee (in cash) is required and will be collected on site if you are not currently a Columbia or Barnard student. |
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What if I have missed the placement test but I must have a certificate for credit ? |
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You can take the makeup Certification Test towards the end of the semester, normally on the Wednesday of the reading/study week right before the week of final exams. The makeup test is exactly the same as the placement test in content and format. However, it requires a cash payment of $30 on site. You should sign up for the test one week before the test.See top of the page for the contact information. |
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When and where can I pick up my certificate? |
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You may pick up your certificate between 4:00 and 6:00 pm on the same day. See top of this page for the contact information and office location. |
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I took the test sometime ago but I didn't pick up my certificate. Can I still get it? |
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Yes, if we still have your record on file. |
Other Frequently Asked Questions
| ADMISSION |
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I have studied Chinese before elsewhere and want to take a Chinese course at Columbia. What should I do? |
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You should take the Chinese Placement Test so you know which level will be appropriate for you. |
| PASS/FAIL GRADE OPTIONS |
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Can I take a Pass/Fail for a Chinese course? |
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No. It is university's policy that no P/F grades should be given for an EALAC language course. You may consult your academic adviser and the registrar's office about converting the letter grade you receive to a P/F. |
| AUDITING |
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Can I audit a course? |
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No. Auditing is not allowed for EALAC language courses. |
| TEXTBOOKS AND COURSE MATERIALS |
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What textbooks and course materials do you use? |
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Please consult with the course instructor. |
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