Korean placement

The Korean placement test is required if you have any prior knowledge of Korean and wish to take Korean classes at Carolina. If you do not intend to take Korean classes, but just wish to satisfy the Global Language requirement, please refer to the Language Placement website to review the possible options for meeting the requirement.

The Korean placement test is in two parts:

The first part is an online test that’s available to take at any time. This is only half the test, though, and you won’t get a result until you have also taken the second part.
Exception: if you score below 25 on the first part, then your placement is KOR 101 (offered every fall, and sometimes in summer), and you don’t need to take the second part.
The second part is a live (could be in-person or remote) test with Korean faculty. It’s given at the following times of year:

At the start of fall semester (this may be a remote test session the week before classes start).
At the start of spring semester.
If Korean classes are being offered in summer, placement testing will be arranged as needed for students seeking to take those summer classes.

Submit this webform to sign up for an upcoming placement test session. The autoreply you receive will contain information on how to take the first part online, and when the second part will be given.

Self-assessment guide for Korean. This is not a substitute for taking the placement test, but is intended to help you estimate your level. If you can’t take the placement test before registration, we encourage you to enroll for whatever level you think you’ll place into. This will allow most students to go ahead and get a seat in the class they need. If your estimate turns out to be wrong, you’ll need to drop that class, but we’ll try to help you get into the correct level.

Korean placement FAQ

Test scores are accepted for credit, but not for placement. If you have a sufficiently high score on the SAT Subject Test in Korean, you will receive BE (“by exam”) credit for KOR 203, which will give you 4 hours toward graduation, and will satisfy the Global Language requirement. To see the required minimum scores, please refer to the Admissions website.

However, that does not mean your placement is KOR 204. If you wish to continue studying Korean, you will need to take the departmental placement test to determine which level to begin with.

All you need is something to write with.

For the remote version, you will need a computer with a camera, microphone, and a good internet connection. Also, for the writing portion, you will need either paper and pencil (you’ll handwrite and then submit a scan or photo of what you wrote), or a tablet and stylus that will allow you to electronically handwrite.

You will be notified by email within a few days. If classes are in session, we’ll be doing our best to get results out as soon as possible. If it seems like you should’ve gotten your result but you haven’t, check the confirmation email from your original placement signup to make sure you didn’t make a mistake in your email address, and also check that your UNC email is set up and working.

The Korean placement test is in two parts.

The first part is online and can be taken at any time. It will cover vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. For some people, that will be sufficient to determine they need to start in the 101 class; everyone else will continue to the second part.

Depending on the time of year, the second part may be in-person or remote (on Zoom). The content is the same either way: this part will cover writing and an interview to assess speaking/understanding proficiency.

Your first step should be to discuss it either with your teacher (if you’re attending the class you were placed into) or with the Korean placement coordinator, Dr. Eunji Lee.

Placement is not a perfect science by any means, and every year we do usually make a few adjustments. If you don’t think the class you were placed in is the best level for you, we are always happy to discuss it and re-evaluate. Ultimately, however, the department’s decision will be final.

Did you review the general placement FAQ? Many questions are answered there. If you still don’t find the answer, or otherwise need help with a placement issue, please contact Lori Harris.

Can I use my SAT Subject Test scores for placement or credit?

What should I bring to an in-person test?

What equipment do I need for a remote test?

How will I find out the result of my placement test?

What's the format of the test, and what will be covered? How should I prepare?

How will I find out the result of my placement test?

What if I don’t agree with my placement result, or I think the class I placed into is too hard/too easy for me?

I have some other question.

Korean placement signup