Take a language placement test to satisfy a prerequisite for a world language class.  A Placement Test is a great option to place in a higher level if you have learned the language skills outside of a high school or college course.

Placement Tests

Current Enrollment

Prerequisite Clearance: 

Please read the information on the Prerequisites Clearance page for important information such as requirements, deadlines and contact information.  

Consult Placement Advisor

There are two Placement Advisors for American Sign Language.

Key to Chinese Courses at CCSF

  • CHIN 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 4A, 4B: The first two years of college Chinese study (Mandarin) for language learners. Chinese 1 and 1A assume no previous knowledge.
  • CHIN 31, 32, 33, 36: Courses for heritage speakers of Chinese in both language (Mandarin) and culture. These courses are for those who speak another dialect of Chinese and know some Mandarin.
  • CHIN 12 A, B, C: Conversation courses in Mandarin for Chinese language learners.
  • CHIN 14 A, B, C: Conversation courses for those who already speak other dialects of Chinese.
  • CHIN 10 A, B, C: Conversation courses in Cantonese

Current Enrollment

Prerequisite Clearance: 

Please read the information on the Prerequisites Clearance page for important information such as requirements, deadlines and contact information.

Take Placement Test

Read all instructions before taking the test:

  • Click on this link to register for the Chinese Placement Test.
  • You will need to create an account at TrueNorth by entering your name (as shown on your CCSF registration), your email address, your CCSF Student ID Number (the one that begins with W or @) and a password of your choice.
    • If you do not have a CCSF Student ID Number yet, you can put “NA” in that field, but you will need to apply to CCSF and get a Student ID Number before you can register and before your prerequisite can be cleared.  It is better to get the Student ID Number first if possible.
  • After your account is created you will need to sign in using your email address and password. 
  • Follow the instructions to take the placement exam.
    • Choose the language that you plan to study at CCSF.  You can come back and take an exam for another language later if necessary.  Note that the placement exam is not necessary if you are enrolling in a beginning course (1 or 1A) or a conversation course (the 10-series courses).
    • Make sure that cookies are enabled when you log on (it may not work correctly if you use a browser in Private or Incognito mode).
    • If you have already registered, be sure to put the course number (such as Spanish 1B or French 2) in response to the survey question.
  • Once you finish the exam your score will be sent to the prerequisite coordinator automatically.  It is not necessary to send a screenshot showing your results.
  • If you have already registered and you placed in that course or higher no further action is required. You will receive a confirmation by email in one week or less.
  • If, based on your placement exam results, you decide to switch to a more advanced course, then send a message to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you want to switch to.  Your prerequisite will be cleared for the new course.  You still need to switch your registration on MyRAMPortal yourself.  That part will not happen automatically.
  • If your placement test score places you in a course that is lower than the one you registered for then you have a choice:
    • You may switch to a lower-level course based on your placement test. You switch the registration yourself on MyRAMPortal. If your new course is one that requires a prerequisite, then send an email to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you switched to.
    • You may take the placement exam again to see if you get a higher score.  You will need to create a new account using a different email address, but use your same name and CCSF Student ID Number.  You can use any email address you like.  If you need a new one, there are many services such as Gmail or Yahoo that will let you get a new address for free.  The email address needs to be valid because the status of your prerequisite verification will be sent to that email address.  There is no limit to the number of times you can take the placement exam using different email addresses.

If you have not heard back with a confirmation within one week after you take the exam, please follow up with Kimiyoshi Inomata.  

Chinese Placement Advisor 

If your test results do not place you definitively, and if you need advice for which course to take based on test results, please contact the Chinese Placement Advisor: Hsin-Yun Liu.

Current Enrollment

Prerequisite Clearance: 

Please read the information on the Prerequisites Clearance page for important information such as requirements, deadlines and contact information.

Take Placement Test

Read all instructions before taking the test:

  • Click on this link to register for the French Placement Test.
  • You will need to create an account at TrueNorth by entering your name (as shown on your CCSF registration), your email address, your CCSF Student ID Number (the one that begins with W or @) and a password of your choice.
    • If you do not have a CCSF Student ID Number yet, you can put “NA” in that field, but you will need to apply to CCSF and get a Student ID Number before you can register and before your prerequisite can be cleared.  It is better to get the Student ID Number first if possible.
  • After your account is created you will need to sign in using your email address and password. 
  • Follow the instructions to take the placement exam.
    • Choose the language that you plan to study at CCSF.  You can come back and take an exam for another language later if necessary.  Note that the placement exam is not necessary if you are enrolling in a beginning course (1 or 1A) or a conversation course (the 10-series courses).
    • Make sure that cookies are enabled when you log on (it may not work correctly if you use a browser in Private or Incognito mode).
    • If you have already registered, be sure to put the course number (such as Spanish 1B or French 2) in response to the survey question.
  • Once you finish the exam your score will be sent to the prerequisite coordinator automatically.  It is not necessary to send a screenshot showing your results.
  • If you have already registered and you placed in that course or higher no further action is required. You will receive a confirmation by email in one week or less.
  • If, based on your placement exam results, you decide to switch to a more advanced course, then send a message to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you want to switch to.  Your prerequisite will be cleared for the new course.  You still need to switch your registration on MyRAMPortal yourself.  That part will not happen automatically.
  • If your placement test score places you in a course that is lower than the one you registered for then you have a choice:
    • You may switch to a lower-level course based on your placement test. You switch the registration yourself on MyRAMPortal. If your new course is one that requires a prerequisite, then send an email to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you switched to.
    • You may take the placement exam again to see if you get a higher score.  You will need to create a new account using a different email address, but use your same name and CCSF Student ID Number.  You can use any email address you like.  If you need a new one, there are many services such as Gmail or Yahoo that will let you get a new address for free.  The email address needs to be valid because the status of your prerequisite verification will be sent to that email address.  There is no limit to the number of times you can take the placement exam using different email addresses.

If you have not heard back with a confirmation within one week after you take the exam, please follow up with Kimiyoshi Inomata.  

French Placement Advisor 

If your test results do not place you definitively, and if you need advice for which course to take based on test results, please contact the French Placement Advisor: Isabelle Motamedi.

Current Enrollment

Prerequisite Challenge: 

Please read the information on the Prerequisites Challenges page for important information such as requirements, deadlines and contact information.

Take Placement Test

Read all instructions before taking the test:

  • Click on this link to register for the German Placement Test.
  • You will need to create an account at TrueNorth by entering your name (as shown on your CCSF registration), your email address, your CCSF Student ID Number (the one that begins with W or @) and a password of your choice.
    • If you do not have a CCSF Student ID Number yet, you can put “NA” in that field, but you will need to apply to CCSF and get a Student ID Number before you can register and before your prerequisite can be cleared.  It is better to get the Student ID Number first if possible.
  • After your account is created you will need to sign in using your email address and password. 
  • Follow the instructions to take the placement exam.
    • Choose the language that you plan to study at CCSF.  You can come back and take an exam for another language later if necessary.  Note that the placement exam is not necessary if you are enrolling in a beginning course (1 or 1A) or a conversation course (the 10-series courses).
    • Make sure that cookies are enabled when you log on (it may not work correctly if you use a browser in Private or Incognito mode).
    • If you have already registered, be sure to put the course number (such as Spanish 1B or French 2) in response to the survey question.
  • Once you finish the exam your score will be sent to the prerequisite coordinator automatically.  It is not necessary to send a screenshot showing your results.
  • If you have already registered and you placed in that course or higher no further action is required. You will receive a confirmation by email in one week or less.
  • If, based on your placement exam results, you decide to switch to a more advanced course, then send a message to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you want to switch to.  Your prerequisite will be cleared for the new course.  You still need to switch your registration on MyRAMPortal yourself.  That part will not happen automatically.
  • If your placement test score places you in a course that is lower than the one you registered for then you have a choice:
    • You may switch to a lower-level course based on your placement test. You switch the registration yourself on MyRAMPortal. If your new course is one that requires a prerequisite, then send an email to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you switched to.
    • You may take the placement exam again to see if you get a higher score.  You will need to create a new account using a different email address, but use your same name and CCSF Student ID Number.  You can use any email address you like.  If you need a new one, there are many services such as Gmail or Yahoo that will let you get a new address for free.  The email address needs to be valid because the status of your prerequisite verification will be sent to that email address.  There is no limit to the number of times you can take the placement exam using different email addresses.

If you have not heard back with a confirmation within one week after you take the exam, please follow up with Kimiyoshi Inomata.  

German Placement Advisor: If your test results do not place you definitively, and if you need advice for which course to take based on test results, please contact the German Placement Advisor: Leslie Pahl.

Current Enrollment

Prerequisite Challenge: 

Please read the information on the Prerequisites Challenges page for important information such as requirements, deadlines and contact information.

Take Placement Test

Read all instructions before taking the test:

  • Click on this link to register for the Italian Placement Test.
  • You will need to create an account at TrueNorth by entering your name (as shown on your CCSF registration), your email address, your CCSF Student ID Number (the one that begins with W or @) and a password of your choice.
    • If you do not have a CCSF Student ID Number yet, you can put “NA” in that field, but you will need to apply to CCSF and get a Student ID Number before you can register and before your prerequisite can be cleared.  It is better to get the Student ID Number first if possible.
  • After your account is created you will need to sign in using your email address and password. 
  • Follow the instructions to take the placement exam.
    • Choose the language that you plan to study at CCSF.  You can come back and take an exam for another language later if necessary.  Note that the placement exam is not necessary if you are enrolling in a beginning course (1 or 1A) or a conversation course (the 10-series courses).
    • Make sure that cookies are enabled when you log on (it may not work correctly if you use a browser in Private or Incognito mode).
    • If you have already registered, be sure to put the course number (such as Spanish 1B or French 2) in response to the survey question.
  • Once you finish the exam your score will be sent to the prerequisite coordinator automatically.  It is not necessary to send a screenshot showing your results.
  • If you have already registered and you placed in that course or higher no further action is required. You will receive a confirmation by email in one week or less.
  • If, based on your placement exam results, you decide to switch to a more advanced course, then send a message to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you want to switch to.  Your prerequisite will be cleared for the new course.  You still need to switch your registration on MyRAMPortal yourself.  That part will not happen automatically.
  • If your placement test score places you in a course that is lower than the one you registered for then you have a choice:
    • You may switch to a lower-level course based on your placement test. You switch the registration yourself on MyRAMPortal. If your new course is one that requires a prerequisite, then send an email to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you switched to.
    • You may take the placement exam again to see if you get a higher score.  You will need to create a new account using a different email address, but use your same name and CCSF Student ID Number.  You can use any email address you like.  If you need a new one, there are many services such as Gmail or Yahoo that will let you get a new address for free.  The email address needs to be valid because the status of your prerequisite verification will be sent to that email address.  There is no limit to the number of times you can take the placement exam using different email addresses.

If you have not heard back with a confirmation within one week after you take the exam, please follow up with Kimiyoshi Inomata.  

Italian Placement Advisor: 

If your test results do not place you definitively, and if you need advice for which course to take based on test results, please contact the Italian Placement Advisor: Claudio Concin.

Current Enrollment

Prerequisite Clearance: 

These courses have NO prerequisites. JAPA 1, 1A, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 16. F

For all other courses, please read the information on the Prerequisites Clearance page for important information such as requirements, deadlines and contact information.

Take Placement Test

Read all instructions before taking the test:

  1. Go to Japanese Placement Test Google Form.
  2.  Enter your identifying information and take the exam.  You must enter an answer for each question.
  3.  Take a screen shot showing your name and score and send it to Kimiyoshi Inomata
  4. Dr. Inomata will complete the necessary paperwork, submit it on your behalf, and notify you when it is done.
  • If your placement test score places you in a course that is lower than the one you registered for then you have a choice:
    • You may switch to a lower-level course based on your placement test. You switch the registration yourself on MyRAMPortal. If your new course is one that requires a prerequisite, then send an email to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you switched to.
    • You may take the placement exam again to see if you get a higher score.  You will need to create a new account using a different email address, but use your same name and CCSF Student ID Number.  You can use any email address you like.  If you need a new one, there are many services such as Gmail or Yahoo that will let you get a new address for free.  The email address needs to be valid because the status of your prerequisite verification will be sent to that email address.  There is no limit to the number of times you can take the placement exam using different email addresses.

Japanese Placement Advisor: If your test results do not place you definitively, and if you need advice for which course to take based on test results, please contact the Japanese Placement Advisor: Dr. Kimiyoshi Inomata.  

Current Enrollment

Prerequisite Clearance: 

Please read the information on the Prerequisites Clearance page for important information such as requirements, deadlines and contact information.

Take Placement Test

Read all instructions before taking the test:

  • Click on this link to register for the Russian Placement Test.
  • You will need to create an account at TrueNorth by entering your name (as shown on your CCSF registration), your email address, your CCSF Student ID Number (the one that begins with W or @) and a password of your choice.
    • If you do not have a CCSF Student ID Number yet, you can put “NA” in that field, but you will need to apply to CCSF and get a Student ID Number before you can register and before your prerequisite can be cleared.  It is better to get the Student ID Number first if possible.
  • After your account is created you will need to sign in using your email address and password. 
  • Follow the instructions to take the placement exam.
    • Choose the language that you plan to study at CCSF.  You can come back and take an exam for another language later if necessary.  Note that the placement exam is not necessary if you are enrolling in a beginning course (1 or 1A) or a conversation course (the 10-series courses).
    • Make sure that cookies are enabled when you log on (it may not work correctly if you use a browser in Private or Incognito mode).
    • If you have already registered, be sure to put the course number (such as Spanish 1B or French 2) in response to the survey question.
  • Once you finish the exam your score will be sent to the prerequisite coordinator automatically.  It is not necessary to send a screenshot showing your results.
  • If you have already registered and you placed in that course or higher no further action is required. You will receive a confirmation by email in one week or less.
  • If, based on your placement exam results, you decide to switch to a more advanced course, then send a message to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you want to switch to.  Your prerequisite will be cleared for the new course.  You still need to switch your registration on MyRAMPortal yourself.  That part will not happen automatically.
  • If your placement test score places you in a course that is lower than the one you registered for then you have a choice:
    • You may switch to a lower-level course based on your placement test. You switch the registration yourself on MyRAMPortal. If your new course is one that requires a prerequisite, then send an email to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you switched to.
    • You may take the placement exam again to see if you get a higher score.  You will need to create a new account using a different email address, but use your same name and CCSF Student ID Number.  You can use any email address you like.  If you need a new one, there are many services such as Gmail or Yahoo that will let you get a new address for free.  The email address needs to be valid because the status of your prerequisite verification will be sent to that email address.  There is no limit to the number of times you can take the placement exam using different email addresses.

If you have not heard back with a confirmation within one week after you take the exam, please follow up with Kimiyoshi Inomata.  

Russian Placement Advisor: 

If your test results do not place you definitively, and if you need advice for which course to take based on test results, please contact the Russian Placement Advisor: Yelena Camargo.

Current Enrollment

Prerequisite Clearance

Please read the information on the Prerequisites Clearance page for important information such as requirements, deadlines and contact information.

Take Placement Test

Read all instructions before taking the test:

  • Click on this link to register for the Spanish Placement Test.
  • You will need to create an account at TrueNorth by entering your name (as shown on your CCSF registration), your email address, your CCSF Student ID Number (the one that begins with W or @) and a password of your choice.
    • If you do not have a CCSF Student ID Number yet, you can put “NA” in that field, but you will need to apply to CCSF and get a Student ID Number before you can register and before your prerequisite can be cleared.  It is better to get the Student ID Number first if possible.
  • After your account is created you will need to sign in using your email address and password. 
  • Follow the instructions to take the placement exam.
    • Choose the language that you plan to study at CCSF.  You can come back and take an exam for another language later if necessary.  Note that the placement exam is not necessary if you are enrolling in a beginning course (1 or 1A) or a conversation course (the 10-series courses).
    • Make sure that cookies are enabled when you log on (it may not work correctly if you use a browser in Private or Incognito mode).
    • If you have already registered, be sure to put the course number (such as Spanish 1B or French 2) in response to the survey question.
  • Once you finish the exam your score will be sent to the prerequisite coordinator automatically.  It is not necessary to send a screenshot showing your results.
  • If you have already registered and you placed in that course or higher no further action is required. You will receive a confirmation by email in one week or less.
  • If, based on your placement exam results, you decide to switch to a more advanced course, then send a message to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you want to switch to.  Your prerequisite will be cleared for the new course.  You still need to switch your registration on MyRAMPortal yourself.  That part will not happen automatically.
  • If your placement test score places you in a course that is lower than the one you registered for then you have a choice:
    • You may switch to a lower-level course based on your placement test. You switch the registration yourself on MyRAMPortal. If your new course is one that requires a prerequisite, then send an email to Kimiyoshi Inomata giving your name, CCSF Student ID Number and the course you switched to.
    • You may take the placement exam again to see if you get a higher score.  You will need to create a new account using a different email address, but use your same name and CCSF Student ID Number.  You can use any email address you like.  If you need a new one, there are many services such as Gmail or Yahoo that will let you get a new address for free.  The email address needs to be valid because the status of your prerequisite verification will be sent to that email address.  There is no limit to the number of times you can take the placement exam using different email addresses.

If you have not heard back with a confirmation within one week after you take the exam, please follow up with Kimiyoshi Inomata.  

Spanish Placement Advisor: 

If your score does not place you definitively, and you need placement advice, please contact the Spanish Placement Advisor, Diana Garcia Denson.