Languages Other Than English (LOTE)



Proficiency exams are offered at the beginning of each fall and spring semester and are open to both new students and continuing students. Registration is required. You cannot just show up to take the test.



You MAY NOT take a LOTE proficiency exam if you 

  • are a new student seeking credit in French, German, or Spanish and you did not score high enough on the Online Placement Test to qualify for the proficiency exam (you would need special permission from the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics).
  • have taken the proficiency exam before.
  • have already earned college credit in the language. This includes AP credit, IB credit, community college credit, and Illinois course credit.
  • are not actively enrolled at Illinois for the current semester.
  • are enrolled at Illinois as an exchange student or another type of non-degree student.
  • are a graduate student. Graduate students who need a course placement should speak with a representative of the department that houses the language they wish to study.


The French, German, and Spanish Proficiency Exams

will be given in August 2016 just after the start of Fall classes. The specific date, time, and location will be announced later. You will need to register in advance and bring your photo ID with you to the test.


Placement tests for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean

are also offered on campus (not online) at the beginning of each fall and spring semester and are open to both new students and continuing students. The next opportunity to take the Japanese or the Korean Placement Test will be in August 2016 just prior to the start of Fall semester. There will be a mid-semester Chinese Placement Test offered on April 8th at 4:00 p.m. in Room G30 FLB. To register, go to http://go.illinois.edu/ChinesePlacementTest

Registration for the tests is required. You cannot just show up and ask to be admitted. Please note that although demonstrating language proficiency in any of these three languages might fulfill the Gen Ed LOTE requirement, it DOES NOT earn you course proficiency credit. 

Even if you fulfilled your General Education language requirement, you may want to consider taking a LOTE proficiency exam because you might earn up to 8 hours of credit towards your graduation requirements. 

Contact information

If you have any questions about placement and proficiency testing at Illinois, you may call us during normal business hours at 217-244-4437 or e-mail us at pnp@illinois.edu