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Summer 2025 Placement Exams and Information

Summer 2025 Placement Exams and Information

Summer 2025 Placement Exams and Information

The departments below offer online placement exams in advance of registration for 2025-2026 courses.

Placement exams ensure that your Yale courses are at the appropriate level.

Online placement exams are offered three times a year: in the summer (in advance of registration for the following fall); in the late fall (in advance of registration for the following spring), and in the late spring (in advance of registration for the following fall). Most placement exam results are valid for one year.

Summer 2025 online placement exam information is available below.

Summer 2025 Subjects of Study

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American Sign Language (ALS)

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam Students with previous coursework or significant fluency in ASL who wish to enroll in a more advanced course
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information https://campuspress.yale.edu/aslprogram/placement-information
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “ASL Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use Canvas Support, at canvas@yale.edu
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Julia Silvestri, Lector
Other  

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Arabic

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students with previous knowledge of Arabic who intend to study Arabic at Yale
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information https://arabic.yale.edu/modern-arabic; https://arabic.yale.edu/faq
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Arabic Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use the Placement Test Support Form
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Sarab Al Ani, Language Program Director for Modern Arabic, Senior Lector II of Modern Arabic
Other  

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Biology

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Four individual timed exams administered online, one for each of the four BIOL modules. The format and style for each module will be slightly different; however, students may expect a mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam The biology placement exams are intended exclusively for incoming first-year students and must be taken before you begin your studies at Yale. They are no longer available once the exam period ends, and your first semester begins. Taking the exams is optional for students who plan to complete all four modules of the Introductory BIOL Sequence. However, they are required for those who wish to skip one or more modules based on prior experience or coursework. We strongly encourage ALL students with any interest in biology—whether you plan to major in a life science discipline or are simply exploring your options—to attempt all four placement exams. This is important for two reasons: (1) The exams cannot be taken later in your academic career, even if you decide to pursue biology or change your major in the future. (2) They provide a valuable preview of the curriculum, helping you assess your strengths and identify areas for growth before making any scheduling decisions. Incoming transfer students and Eli Whitney students should contact the course coordinators for more information and to discuss placement options on a case-by-case basis.
Where instructions are located Use the self-enroll link at https://yale.instructure.com/enroll/RFBJRE to access the exams; your access will be denied otherwise
How the dept determines placement and where to find information https://campuspress.yale.edu/biolseq/placement-exam-information
Where and when results are posted Results returned directly by email by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use Canvas Support, at canvas@yale.edu
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Thomas Loreng or Edgar Benavides, Lecturers and BIOL 101-104 Coordinators
Other  

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Chemistry

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online bank of questions requiring primarily multiple-choice and numerical-entry answers
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All incoming first-year students planning to take chemistry courses. Chemistry is required for many majors in engineering and health sciences, as well as premedical students. Anyone considering these tracks should take the exam.
Where instructions are located Click here for direct access to the chemistry placement exam. Additional information regarding the exam as well as possible placement outcomes may be found on the Chemistry Department’s Chemistry Placement webpage.
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted Results returned via the Canvas site entitled, "Course Placement 2025 (CHEM, ECON, MATH, PHYS)" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use Canvas Support, at canvas@yale.edu
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Sarah Slavoff, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), at chemistry.dus@yale.edu
Other

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Chinese

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students with previous study of Chinese who intend to study Chinese at Yale
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Chinese Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use Canvas Support, at canvas@yale.edu
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Fan Liu, Senior Lector I and Chinese Language Program Coordinator
Other  

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Czech

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students, including native speakers, who have been exposed to Czech, whether formally or informally, who wish to enroll in a language course must take the placement test
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Czech Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Constantine Muravnik, Slavic Language Program Director
Other

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Economics

Placement exam

No placement exam scheduled for Summer 2025
Placement procedure offered without exam Yes
Exam format  
Exam date(s)  
Who should take the exam There is no economics placement exam
Where instructions are located https://economics.yale.edu/undergraduate/first-year-placement
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted There is no economics placement exam. Instead, each entering first-year student receives an economics placement based on admissions data and information you provided in the Math & Science Survey. Using that information and past experience, the Economics Department determines which economics courses you should consider taking first. You can find your placement on the Canvas BIOL, CHEM, ECON, MATH, PHYS placement site. The majority of first-year students considering an economics course take introductory microeconomics (usually in the fall). That may be followed by introductory macroeconomics or introduction to data analysis and econometrics. Even students who already have a strong high school background in economics find that the Yale introductory micro course is usually the best place to start.  Nevertheless, there are some exceptions. See the Economics Department placement webpage for considerations about under-placement and over-placement.
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Evangelia Chalioti, Senior Lecturer II and Associate Chair
Other

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English

Placement exam

No placement exam scheduled for Summer 2025
Placement procedure offered without exam Yes
Exam format  
Exam date(s)  
Who should take the exam There is no English Placement exam
Where instructions are located https://english.yale.edu/preregistration
How the dept determines placement and where to find information Courses numbered from ENGL 1014 to 1030 are considered introductory and are open to all students in Yale College. Advanced courses are open to upper-level students; the faculty recommends that students both within and outside the major prepare for advanced courses with two introductory courses. Students intending to pursue the English major are encouraged to take foundational courses, ENGL 1025 through 1028, of which three are required. In addition, the introductory creative writing course, ENGL 1023, is open to any student who has not taken an intermediate or advanced course in the writing of fiction, poetry, or drama.  Please see the "Introductory Courses" section of the English Department's webpage (https://english.yale.edu/undergraduate/introductory-courses) for further information. There will be a Zoom session on August 11 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. to answer questions.
Where and when results are posted  
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Stefanie Markovits, Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, or Marcel Elias, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies
Other

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French

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students with previous knowledge of French who intend to study French at Yale. Students who have never studied French may enroll in FREN 1100 directly.
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information Information about how the department determines placement may be found on the French Department website.
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “French Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use the Placement Test Support Form
Contact information for placement or departmental issues  Constance Sherak, Senior Lector I and  French Language Program Director.
Other  

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German

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students with previous study of German who intend to study German at Yale
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “German Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use the Placement Test Support Form
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Theresa Schenker, Senior Lector II and German Language Program Director
Other  

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Hebrew

Placement exam Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students with previous knowledge of Modern Hebrew who  intend to study Modern Hebrew at Yale
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Hebrew Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use Canvas Support, at canvas@yale.edu
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Shiri Goren, Senior Lector II and Modern Hebrew Language Program Director
Other  

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Hindi

Placement exam Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students, including native speakers, who have been exposed to Hindi, whether formally or informally, who wish to enroll in a language course must  participate in the placement process
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
Where and when results are posted Placement results are provided by email
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Swapna Sharma, Senior Lector I
Other

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Italian

Placement exam Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students with previous study of Italian who intend to study Italian at Yale
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information Students register for ITAL 110 & 130 during course registration period based on placement exam results or other factors
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Italian Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use the Placement Test Support Form
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Anna Iacovella, Senior Lector I and Italian Language Program Director
Other  

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Japanese

Placement exam Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students with previous study of Japanese who intend to study Japanese at Yale
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Japanese Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use Canvas Support, at canvas@yale.edu
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Mika Yamaguchi, Senior Lector I and Japanese Program Coordinator
Other Oral interviews conducted by Zoom

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Korean

Placement exam Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students with previous study of Korean, including through summer programs and student abroad, who intend to study Korean at Yale
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Korean Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use the Placement Test Support Form
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Bookyung Jung, Senior Lector I, Korean Placement Coordinator  
Other

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Math (Calculus)

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All incoming students who may wish to enroll in calculus within their first three semesters at Yale or during the summer of 2026. All continuing students who wish to take calculus, and do not have a current placement (from the 2024 placement exam, or from having completed the prerequisite course at Yale).
Where instructions are located https://math.yale.edu/first-year-student-resources
How the dept determines placement and where to find information Please find information about introductory courses, as well as the mathematics major, at https://math.yale.edu/first-year-student-resources
Where and when results are posted The math placement test is available on a Canvas site called "Math placement exam 2025." Results may be accessed immediately upon submission of the exam, by clicking on the "placement calculator" tab on the same site
Contact information for technology issues Use Canvas Support, at canvas@yale.edu
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Please e-mail the director of undergraduate studies at math.dus@yale.edu
Other You can find information about introductory courses, as well as the mathematics major, at https://math.yale.edu/first-year-student-resources

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Music

Placement exam

No placement exam scheduled for Summer 2025
Placement procedure offered without exam There is no placement exam for music theory courses. Instead, students are invited to identify the right course for them by using the Music Department's self-placement guide and, at the start of the term, consulting with course instructors.
Exam format  
Exam date(s)  
Who should take the exam  
Where instructions are located https://yalemusic.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Theory%20Placement%20Guide%20Fall%202020_7-31-20.pdf
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted  
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues For questions about individual classes, contact the instructor after first consulting the self-placement guide. For general questions, contact Anna Zayaruznya, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Other  

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Persian

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format In-person only
Exam date(s) Students should contact the director of Persian program, Dr. Farkhondeh Shayesteh, to arrange a date in August to take the exam
Who should take the exam All students with previous study of Persian, including through summer programs and study abroad, who intend to study Persian at Yale
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted  
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Farkhondeh Shayesteh, Senior Lector I and Persian Language Program Director
Other

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Physics

Placement exam

No placement exam scheduled for Summer 2025
Placement procedure offered without exam There is no placement test in physics. However, the DUS can provide a recommendation for an appropriate introductory physics course sequence (based on each incoming student’s High School Math & Science Survey responses, i.e., their math and physics test scores) before the fall term begins. Students should also consult the guide to selecting physics courses, https://physics.yale.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/guide-introductory-physics-course,  and visit the prospective introductory physics courses during the course selection period before setting their schedules.
Exam format  
Exam date(s)  
Who should take the exam  
Where instructions are located https://catalog.yale.edu/ycps/subjects-of-instruction/physics/
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted  
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues David Poland, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, dus.physics@yale.edu
Other A Guide to Selecting the Best Introductory Physics Courses for You, https://physics.yale.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/guide-introductory-physics-course

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Polish

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students, including native speakers, who have been exposed to Polish, whether formally or informally, who wish to enroll in a language course must take the placement test
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Polish Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Krystyna Illakowicz, Senior Lector I in Slavic Languages & Literatures
Other  

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Portuguese

Placement exam Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam Students with no previous study of Portuguese should enroll directly in PORT 1100. International students who completed their entire education in a Portuguese-speaking country are encouraged to consult the Portuguese Language Program Director (Giseli Tordin) before taking the placement exam to determine the most appropriate course for enrollment. All other students with prior knowledge of Portuguese, whether acquired formally or informally, must take a placement exam before enrolling in a Portuguese language course.
Where instructions are located Placement exam information is listed on the Department of Spanish and Portuguese website at https://span-port.yale.edu/portuguese-placement-exam-fall-2025
How the dept determines placement and where to find information Placement exam information is listed at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese website and on this page
Where and when results are posted Results will be returned via email and will be available on canvas.yale.edu, “Portuguese Placement Test Site 25-26”by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues Use the Placement Test Support Form.
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Giseli Tordin, Senior Lector I in Spanish and Portuguese, Portuguese Language Program Director
Other  

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Russian

Placement exam Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students, including native speakers, who have been exposed to Russian, whether formally or informally, who wish to enroll in a Russian language course must take the placement exam
Where instructions are located https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing/
How the dept determines placement and where to find information  
Where and when results are posted Results will be returned via email and will be available on canvas.yale.edu, “Russian Placement Test Site 25-26” by August 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues Constantine Muravnik, Senior Lector II and Russian Language Program Director
Other  

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Spanish

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students, including native speakers, who have been exposed to Spanish whether formally or informally, who wish to enroll in a Spanish language course must take the placement test. Students who have never studied Spanish may enroll in SPAN 110 directly.
Where instructions are located Please find placement exam information here: https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing.
How the dept determines placement and where to find information Information about how the department determines placement may be found on the Department of Spanish and Portuguese website
Where and when results are posted Results posted via canvas.yale.edu, "Spanish Placement Test Site 25-26" by August 5 at 5:00 p .m.
Contact information for technology issues Use the Placement Test Support Form.
Contact information for placement or departmental issues

Jorge Méndez-Seijas, Senior Lector II
Other  

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Ukrainian

Placement exam

Summer 2025 placement exam for 2025-2026 courses
Placement procedure offered without exam No
Exam format Online
Exam date(s) July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to July 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who should take the exam All students, including native speakers, who have been exposed to Ukrainian whether formally or informally, who wish to enroll in a language course must take the placement test
Where instructions are located Please find placement exam information at https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
How the dept determines placement and where to find information Information about how the department determines placement may be found on  https://cls.yale.edu/students/placement-testing
Where and when results are posted Results returned via canvas.yale.edu, “Ukrainian Placement Test 25-26" by August 5 at 5 p.m.
Contact information for technology issues  
Contact information for placement or departmental issues

Olha Tytarenko, Senor Lector I in Slavic Languages & Literatures
Other  

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