The UW LLC supports the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures for placement and proficiency test. The languages supported for testing currently include those listed below.
Do I need a placement or proficiency test?
Placement tests are available to currently admitted and enrolled UW students who intend to study a language at the UW and need to find the level of course to register for.
Proficiency tests are available to currently admitted and enrolled UW students and measure one’s ability in a language and are used to satisfy or waive language requirements. Proficiency tests are NOT used to determine what level of language course you should be taking. NO CREDITS are awarded for taking these tests.
Reporting, Policies and Questions
Please read carefully and thoroughly
For scores to be reported in the quarter when you take the test, you should complete the test before the 5th week of that quarter. If you take the test after the 5th week, the scores may not be reported until the following quarter.
*No exams are administered during quarter breaks or summer.
Read the information above about the difference between ‘placement’ and ‘proficiency’ tests, as well as detailed information for your specific language below. If you still have questions, contact the Slavic Department program coordinator.
If it is a placement test proctored by the Slavic Department, contact the Slavic Department program coordinator.
If it is a test not proctored by the Slavic Department, please see the language test section below for more information about the specific test for that language.
You will need to bring a valid form of ID (e.g., student ID, drivers license, or passport).
Yes. Registration for language proficiency tests currently incurs a registration fee, payable online by credit or debit card. The UW does not collect any fees. The cost of the test is listed on the registration form for each language. Unfortunately, the UW is unable to provide fee waivers or needs-based financial assistance to cover this fee at the present time.
If you took a placement test
Contact the Slavic Department program coordinator directly upon completion of the exam to be placed in the proper course. Results may take up to a week before they become available.
Students are strongly urged to plan ahead for the time needed for grading and results reporting when testing for registration or graduation purposes.
If you took a proficiency test
If your results were sufficient to satisfy the degree requirements (i.e., you ‘passed’), we will notify the registrar and your transcript will be updated to reflect this. You should not need to take any further steps. Please note that it may take 3-4 weeks after your exam date before your results appear on your transcript. If 3-4 weeks have passed since your exam date and your results have not yet appeared on your transcript, please contact the Slavic Department program coordinator.
If your results were not sufficient to satisfy the degree requirements (i.e., you ‘did not pass’), we will notify you via email. Depending on the language program’s policy, you may be able to retake the test at a later date. Note: if you need to retake the test, you must – once again – complete the intake form below and purchase another test from Avant.
Students are strongly urged to plan ahead for the time needed for grading and results reporting when testing for registration or graduation purposes.
We are unable to share the detailed results with students.
Placement tests and proficiency tests to satisfy language requirements can be taken up to two times, and each attempt must be taken in different quarters.
In general, we do not typically conduct testing for an admissions deficiency because we cannot guarantee that the test (and its results) will be recognized by admissions.
If you would like to take a proficiency test to remove an admissions deficiency, please provide an email from both your advisor and admissions with confirmation that they are willing to accept results from a test that we proctor and we will follow-up with you on next steps.
The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability and need to request disability accommodation(s) for your interview, please contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance of your scheduled interview date at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@uw.edu.
If you are taking a test with Avant, contact:
If you are taking a test through the UW LLC, contact:
Register for a test
Learn more about BCMS language courses and answers to frequently asked questions.
Register for the BCMS Language Placement or Proficiency Test
Placement Notes
NOTES
- Placement exams for BCMS may be arranged on an individual basis. Contact Professor Bojan Belić for details.
Proficiency Notes
NOTES
- The Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures offers proficiency exams in Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, and Serbo-Croatian in partnership with ALTA. These tests should be used only to fulfill an admissions deficiency or graduation requirement.
- More information about the test be found on this page (ALTA Language Testing).
Learn more about Polish language courses and answers to frequently asked questions.
Register for the Polish Language Placement or Proficiency Test
Placement Notes
- Students needing to determine with which level of Polish to begin their language studies at UW should contact Professor Agnieszka Jezyk to discuss which level to begin with.
Proficiency Notes
- The Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures offers proficiency exams in Polish in partnership with Avant Assessment. These tests should be used only to fulfill an admissions deficiency or graduation requirement.
Learn more about Romanian language courses and answers to frequently asked questions.
Register for the Romanian Language Proficiency Test
Placement Notes
- The Slavic Department is not currently offering Romanian language courses.
Proficiency Notes
- The Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures offers proficiency exams in Russian in partnership with ALTA. These tests should be used only to fulfill an admissions deficiency or graduation requirement.
- More information about the test be found on this page (ALTA Language Testing).
Learn more about Russian language courses and answers to frequently asked questions.
Register for the Russian Language Placement or Proficiency Test
Placement Notes
- For registered UW students interested in the Russian language and would like to start or
continue their studies, send an email to the Slavic Department. The exam is an
hour-long written exam, which may only be taken one time by a student in any given year. If you have
any questions about the content of the exam, please email them.
Proficiency Notes
- The Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures offers proficiency exams in Russian in partnership with Avant Assessment. These tests should be used only to fulfill an admissions deficiency or graduation requirement.
Learn more about Ukrainian language courses and answers to frequently asked questions.
Register for the Ukrainian Language Placement or Proficiency Test
Placement Notes
- For registered UW students interested in the Ukrainian language and would like to start or continue their studies, send an email to the Slavic Department . The exam is an hour-long written exam, which may only be taken one time by a student in any given year. If you have any questions about the content of the exam, please email them.
Proficiency Notes
- The Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures offers proficiency exams in Ukrainian in partnership with Avant Assessment. These tests should be used only to fulfill an admissions deficiency or graduation requirement.