Test FAQ

Q1. I want to take a Korean class at Penn and have previous experience with the Korean language. What should I do?

  • Take the Korean Placement Test to find out the most suitable class that fits your needs.
  • Prior experiences may include:
    • You have been exposed to Korean informally at home and speak Korean at home.
    • You have attended Saturday Korean schools.
    • You have lived in Korea for more than six months and used Korean regularly.
    • You learned Korean at an institution other than Penn, including summer programs in Korea.
    • You have self-studied Korean, and you can read and write in Korean.

Q2. What classes are available for those who have previous experience with Korean?

  • If you can speak Korean to some degree and want to refine your speaking, reading, and writing skills, you may sign up for KORN 0220 (Korean for Heritage Speakers I) and take the test later to confirm your level.
  • If you are placed into KORN 0420 (Korean for Heritage Speakers II), KORN 0500 (High Intermediate Korean I) or other upper-level courses, drop KORN 0220 and register for the class that you are placed into. Please note that KORN 0420 is offered during the spring semester only.

Q3. I want to take a Korean class at Penn, but I do not have much previous experience with the Korean language. Do I need to take the Placement Test?

  • No, you do not need to take the Korean Placement Test. You can sign up for one of the courses for novice learners.

Q4. What classes are available for novice learners?

  • You may register for KORN 0100 (Beginning Korean I), which will count toward the language requirement (4 semesters of language study from the beginning level) or major/minor requirement.
  • If you want to focus on Korean conversational skills, you may register for KORN 0103 (1st Year Spoken Korean I). Note that this course does not count toward the language requirement or major/minor requirement.

Q5. I want to be exempt from the foreign language requirement with Korean. What should I do?

  • You need to take the Korean Proficiency Test. It is offered ONCE A YEAR in late August during the New Student Orientation period.

Q6. Can I use my SAT Subject Test or other Korean language test scores to get exempt from the language requirement?

  • As the SAT subject score does not evaluate your production skills, we DO NOT ACCEPT any other Korean language test scores (i.e. TOPIK or SAT Subject Test) as proof of language proficiency. However, if your SAT Subject score is over 700, you have the option to take the writing and speaking tests only.  You need to send the proof of your score to Ms. Haewon Cho at haewcho@sas.upenn.edu.

Q7: What is the format of the Placement and Proficiency Tests and how can I prepare for the test?

  • The Proficiency Test consists of three parts: A multiple-choice test (vocabulary, grammar, and reading) on Canvas, an oral interview on Zoom, and a writing test on Zoom.
  • The Placement Test consists of  two parts: A reading (multiple-choice) and writing test on Canvas and an oral interview on Zoom.
  • The test is designed to evaluate your language proficiency, so you do not need to prepare for the test. Thus, an example test is not provided.

Q8. Should I sign up to take the Proficiency or Placement Tests? 

  • Yes. Register for the test in early August when the registration link becomes available on the Test Guidelines page on the KLP website.
  • Please see the Test Guidelines for important dates and detailed sign-up procedures.

Q9.  Can I take both the placement test and the proficiency test in the same semester?  

  • No, you cannot. If you took the placement test, you have to wait another year to take the proficiency test. Proficiency test is offered only once a year in the fall semester.

Q10.  graduated from a high school, can I be exempt from the language requirement?  

  • Effective August 2021: You need to take the Proficiency Test to prove your language proficiency.

Q11. I passed the Korean Proficiency Test. What should I do?

  • Your test result will be sent to the College. Please allow 4-8 weeks to process.
  • Check Penn In Touch to see if your language requirement has been cleared. If not, contact the program director (haewcho@sas.upenn.edu).

Q12. Can I take Korean classes after passing the Korean Proficiency Test?

  • Yes, we normally recommend classes suitable for your level along with the test result.
  • Please check the course listings and register for the class that is recommended to you. Send an email to the instructor if you have any questions about the course.

Q13. I did not pass the Proficiency Test. May I take it again?

  • No, you cannot take the Proficiency Test more than once. Please consider taking the recommended Korean classes to fulfill the language requirement.

Q14.  Can I take both the Placement Test and the Proficiency Test at the same time?  

  • No, you cannot. If you took the Placement Test, you have to wait another year to take the Proficiency Test. Proficiency Test is offered only once a year in the fall semester.

Q15.  I took the Placement two years ago. Can I use the Placement test result to enroll in a Korean language course? 

  • No, you cannot. The Placement Test result is valid for 1.5 years (three academic semesters). You should take the test again to get an accurate assessment of your current proficiency level if you took the test more than 1.5 years ago. We recommend you to take the test in the semester you plan to take a Korean language course.

Q15. If I have more questions, whom should I contact?