Placement Exams
UC San Diego placement exams help to determine the course level in which to enroll. We want to ensure you are in the class that is the best fit based on your foundational knowledge, and that you are learning with peers at the same level. The results of these exams are not part of your official academic history or on your transcript.
Take these exams seriously and give them your best effort.
Writing Placement Process
The University of California requires all undergraduate students to fulfill the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) within a limited timeframe.
- All incoming first-year students who do not have another way to fulfill ELWR must complete UCSD’s free Writing Placement Process (WPP) before the beginning of your first quarter. You will be placed in College Writing, AWP 3, or AWP 4A.
- If you are a transfer student, you have met the ELWR and do not need to complete the Writing Placement Process.
Visit the Analytical Writing Program’s Placement page for updated information.
Math Placement Exam (MPE)
Students whose Major and/or College have calculus requirements must meet a math Prerequisite Criteria before they are eligible to enroll in math at UCSD. Students who do not meet a qualifying prerequisite will need to take the Math Placement Exam (MPE).
The MPE assigns your official math placement. The MPE can only be taken once (no retakes are allowed), please take it seriously.
New Incoming Students - Fall 2026
If you believe you need to take the MPE, complete the steps below. Students whose major and/or college need the MPE and who do not complete the MPE by June 1 may receive a hold on their fall enrollment and will NOT be able to enroll in any class for the fall quarter until they complete the MPE requirement.
- Determine if you need the MPE: Visit Do I Need The MPE?.
- Make your plan: Review the MPE Timeline.
- Engage in review of Practice Tests and lessons from the Learning Modules or complete the review plan sent to you by Math Testing and Placement (for students who completed the MDA).
- Schedule your MPE session: See MPE Dates or read your email from mathtesting@ucsd.edu for instructions.
The MPE is proctored remotely or in person on campus:
- Free remote sessions on ProctorU: Apr 15-Jun 1 (for First-year Students) and Jul 1-Jul 31 (for Transfer Students and Waitlisted Students).
- Remote sessions on ProctorU throughout the year (for $20).
- On-campus sessions once per quarter from Sept-June.
- Students must have a valid photo ID and register for testing sessions in advance.
Visit the Math Testing and Placement website for information to support your math placement and enrollment.
Continuing Students
Are you a continuing student looking for math placement guidance?
Language Placement Exams
- If you have prior knowledge of a language that you want to continue to study, take the free placement exam (information below) for that language.
- If you have significant experience in a language, are fluent/proficient, or hope to "test out" of a requirement for your major/minor or College, take the free language proficiency exam instead (information here).
Language Placement by AP or IB Credit
If you have AP, IB, or previous college college for a specific course, you can enroll in the next course in the sequence without taking a placement exam.
- For information about AP credit, see AP Chart (PDF)
- For information about IB credit, see IB Chart (PDF)
Note: If you received AP, IB or previous college credit, you will not be given credit for repeating the equivalent course, or for taking a lower level course.
How to Take a Language Placement Exam
| Language | Placement Exam Information |
|---|---|
| American Sign Language | Contact ASL Academic Coordinator Peggy Lott |
| Arabic | Contact one of the Arabic Instructors |
| Chinese | All students must take a placement interview before enrolling in a CHIN course. Click here for more information. |
| French | Take the online placement test |
| German | Take the online placement test |
| Greek | Contact the instructor of Greek language in the Department of Literature |
| Hebrew | Contact the Jewish Studies advisor to schedule placement test |
| Italian | Take the online placement test |
| Japanese |
All students must take a placement test before enrolling in a JAPN course. Follow instructions here |
| See instructor Jeyseon Lee for placement text | |
| Latin | Contact the Classics advisor in the Department of Literature |
| Portuguese | Contact one of the Portuguese Instructors |
| Russian | Contact Rebecca Wells |
| Spanish | Take the online placement test |
| Spanish – Heritage Speakers | Contact the Literature Spanish Language Coordinator |
Chemistry Placement Exam
As of Summer 2025, the optional Chemistry placement exam has been suspended. Please refer to the Chemistry Course Catalog to view prerequisites for the general chemistry sequence. If you have any questions, please contact Chemistry Advising via the Virtual Advising Center