Illinois offers a variety of introductory-level courses, even within the same subject, and so the purpose of placement testing is to determine which of those introductory-level courses is the right one for you. If you score high on a placement test, you will qualify to sit for the departmental proficiency test. You are not required to take any proficiency test; it is simply an option to consider. For more information about proficiency testing, click the "Proficiency Testing" link from the menu on the left.
Which placement tests do YOU need to take?
- Are you a new freshman?
- Are you a new transfer student?
- Are you an international student who needs to take the English Placement Test?
- Are you an upperclassman or graduate student who needs a Spanish course placement recommendation? The "Spanish Placement Test for Non-Freshmen" is open. Please log in and enroll yourself for the test. You will see your placement upon completion.
- Are you an upperclassman or graduate student who needs a French course placement recommendation? The "French Placement Test for Non-Freshmen" is open. Please log in and enroll yourself for the test. You will see your placement upon completion.
- Are you an upperclassman or graduate student who needs a Chinese course placement recommendation? Please refer to EALC’s Chinese placement test info page (https://ealc.illinois.edu/academics/programs/chinese/placement).
Do you meet the log-in requirements?
- Inform the Office of Undergraduate Admissions that you accept Illinois' offer of admission. Your Acceptance of Admission must be officially processed before you can take the online placement exams.
- Claim your NetID and set your NetID password. If you can't remember what password you created, you can contact Technology Services to re-set it.
When should you take the tests?
Placement testing is done online, so you can choose the day when it is most convenient for you to take the tests that you need to take. You should complete all of your placement exams at least two weeks prior to your New Student Registration appointment. If you wait until the last minute, your test results might not be available for your academic advisor to see.
Remember ...
If you have absolutely no familiarity with a subject, you do not need to take its placement test.
Click the INFORMATION links in the left-hand menu to learn about our academic writing courses, math placement testing, options for science placement testing, and studying a "language other than English" (LOTE).
Test Accommodations
Students who need extra time can request authorization for extended time from the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES). You must have already been accepted to Illinois before you can apply for accommodations. For more information, please contact DRES.
More Information