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)
All students must meet the prerequisites of a math course to enroll in that course. The MPE places students into the following courses: MATH 2, 3B, 3C, 4C, 10A, 20A, and 18.
Students not meeting a math course prerequisite will need to earn a qualifying placement on the Math Placement Exam (MPE) before they will be able to enroll in math.
- Do I need to take the MPE?
- Which majors require Math?
- Which College general education (GE) requirements include Math?
See the Math Testing and Placement website for full information on the MPE, to view the MPE test dates, to review practices tests, and to register to take the MPE.
The MPE is offered in-person (free, on-campus testing) or remotely ($20, via ProctorU).
Students must have a valid photo ID and must register for testing sessions in advance. MPE results are valid for one year.
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