Placement Exams
Some departments require that you pass a placement examination before you may enroll in a particular course. Bring a picture ID card with you to these examinations.
Placement test dates are listed below. However, please visit their websites for additional information.
Spring 2010 Placement Test Dates
Reminder: Bring a picture ID.
Chemistry 161 http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/chem/
Who needs to take the Prechemistry Assessment?
All students who wish to enroll in CHEM 161 for the first time must take the Prechemistry Assessment and obtain a passing score. Students with a grade of "C" (not "C-") in CHEM 151 may request an approval override code from the Chemistry Department without taking the Prechemistry Assessment. See the Chemistry Department's website for more information.
Reservations needed? Yes. See the Chemistry Department's website for schedule information and reservations. Calculators are recommended. Bring #2 pencils.
Prechemistry Assessments are given in January, April, August and November.
Doing well in CHEM 161 depends on, among other things, a thorough understanding of all prerequisite material. Passing the Prechemistry Assessment should not by itself be regarded as a guarantee of success.
East Asian Languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) http://www.hawaii.edu/eall/
Students wishing to take a Chinese, Japanese or Korean language course for the first time at UH Manoa must receive clearance from the department before registering. Students with no previous experience in the language should go to the department office (Moore 382) for clearance. Students with previous experience (i.e., formal classroom training, residence in the country of its use, or cohabitation with a native speaker) must take a placement test.
Chinese:
Japanese:
Date |
Time |
Location |
November 30 |
1:30 pm - 3:20 pm |
Moore 257 |
December 1 |
1:30 pm - 3:20 pm |
Moore 257 |
January 5 |
9:00 am - 11:00 am |
Moore 257 |
January 5 |
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm |
Moore 257 |
Korean:
Contact Ray Kaneyama (Moore 378; 956-2066; kaneyama@hawaii.edu).
European Languages (French, German, Spanish) http://www.hawaii.edu/llea/
For more information about other European Languages, call the Department of Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas at 956-4187.
French:
Continuing UH system French students may continue on to the next course.Students with no prior French experience should enroll in FR 101.
Students with experience with French (i.e., high school instruction, residence in a French speaking country, live with native speakers, etc.) must take the placement exam, except those students with college credit for French classes. First come, first served. No reservations. Please arrive on time.
Date |
Time |
Location |
November 30 |
10:30 am - 11:30 am |
Moore 465 |
December 1 |
9:00 am - 10:00 am |
Moore 465 |
January 5 |
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
To Be Announced |
For more information regarding the French placement exam or if you are not able to able to attend the placement exam at the times noted, contact Jacob Huss at jacob@hawaii.edu.
German:
Students with no prior German experience should enroll in GER 101. Anyone wanting to enroll in GER 101 may do so without consent.Non-native speakers of German with previous experience (i.e., high school or college instruction, residence in a German-speaking country or household) who need assistance with placement in a course above GER 101 should take the placement exam. First come, first served. No reservations. Please arrive on time. The test takes about 30 minutes. Results are given upon completion of the test.
Date |
Time |
Location |
December 8 |
12:00 noon - 1:00 pm |
Moore 465 |
January 7 |
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Moore 465 |
January 13 |
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm |
Moore 465 |
If you have any questions, please email Christina McDade at cmmcdade@hawaii.edu.
Spanish:
Continuing UH system Spanish students should continue on to the next course; see Spanish Division for assistance.
Students with no prior Spanish experience should request an approval from the Spanish Division (956-7177; 956-4176; 956-4178; 956-4187) and enroll in SPAN 101.
Students with prior experience with Spanish (i.e., high school instruction, residence in a Spanish speaking country, live with native speakers, etc.) must take the placement exam, except those students with college credit for Spanish classes. First come, first served. No reservations. Please arrive on time. Photo ID required. The test is free and takes 20 - 30 minutes. Results are given upon completion of the test.
Date |
Time |
Location |
November 30 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
December 1 |
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Moore 153 |
December 2 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
December 3 |
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Moore 153 |
December 4 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
December 7 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
December 8 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
December 9 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
December 10 |
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Moore 153 |
January 6 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
January 7 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
January 8 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
January 11 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
January 12 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
January 13 |
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
Moore 153 |
For more information about the Spanish placement exam, please contact Rachel Mamiya at 956-3347 or email her at rmamiya@hawaii.edu.
For questions about registering into other Spanish courses, please call 956-4440 or 956-4178.
Hawaiian Language http://manoa.hawaii.edu/olelo/
Placement Test is Not Required for these Students:
- Students Enrolling in HAW 101
You may enroll in HAW 101 with no prior consent or prerequisites. A proficiency/placement exam is not required to enroll in HAW 101.
- Continuing UH System Students
You may continue to enroll in the next Hawaiian language course for which you are eligible to meet your Hawaiian or second language requirements for your degree.
- Students Enrolling with Prior College Credits in Hawaiian Language
If you have already earned equivalent college credits for Hawaiian language (e.g., at a community college or other accredited university) a proficiency/ placement exam is optional.
Placement Test is Required for Students Enrolling with Prior Hawaiian Language
If you have prior Hawaiian language experience (e.g., high school, Papa Kaiapuni, lived with native speakers, etc.), you must apply and register to complete the proficiency/placement exam in order to qualify for back credits and/or waive credits.
Placement Test is Recommended for Students Enrolling in Advanced Courses in Hawaiian Language
We encourage students who have not been recently engaged in using Hawaiian frequently, to consider taking a proficiency/placement exam if they are interested in taking advanced courses (300-400 levels) in Hawaiian language.
Placement Exam Registration
Please contact Dr. Kamuela Ka'Ahanui, academic advisor at kukakuka@hawaii.edu or call him at 956-7637 to apply and register for one of the following Saturday exam sessions (3 hours: read, write, speak, listen and reason). Only complete applications will be accepted.
Date |
Time |
Location |
Registration Deadline |
December 5 |
9:00 am – 12:00 noon |
Kamakakuokalani 201/202 |
December 1 |
December 12 |
9:00 am – 12:00 noon |
Kamakakuokalani 201/202 |
December 8 |
January 9 |
9:00 am – 12:00 noon |
Kamakakuokalani 201/202 |
January 5 |
January 16 |
9:00 am – 12:00 noon |
Kamakakuokalani 201/202 |
January 12 |
Indo-Pacific Languages (Filipino, Ilokano) http://manoa.hawaii.edu/ipll/
Please call 956-8672 (hip@hawaii.edu) to schedule a placement test for courses numbered above 101 for the following languages: ARABIC, CAMBODIAN, HINDI, INDONESIAN, MAORI, SAMOAN, SANSKRIT, TAHITIAN, THAI, TONGAN AND VIETNAMESE.
Filipino:
Students with no prior Filipino language experience should enroll in FIL 101. Anyone wanting to enroll in FIL 101 may do so without consent.
Students with experience with Filipino language (i.e., high school instruction, live with native speakers, etc.) can take the placement exam to enroll in courses above FIL 101.
Please contact Pia Arboleda at pca62@hawaii.edu at least two days before test date to reserve a space for any of these sessions. Please arrive on time. The test is free.
Date |
Time |
Location |
November 16 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon |
Spalding 456 |
November 19 |
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm |
Spalding 456 |
November 20 |
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm |
Spalding 456 |
January 8 |
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm |
Spalding 456 |
January 15 |
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm |
Spalding 456 |
Ilokano:
Students with no prior Ilokano language experience should enroll in ILO 101. Anyone wanting to enroll in ILO 101 may do so without consent.
Students with experience with Ilokano language (i.e., high school instruction, live with native speakers, etc.) can take the placement exam to enroll in courses above ILO 101.
Please contact Aurelio Agcaoili at 956-8405 or aurelioa@hawaii.edu to reserve a space before the exam date and to let him know what time you are interested in taking the placement test. Please arrive on time. The test is free.
Date |
Time |
Location |
November 23 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon by appointment (allow 1 hour) |
Spalding 455A |
November 24 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon by appointment (allow 1 hour) |
Spalding 455A |
November 25 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon by appointment (allow 1 hour) |
Spalding 455A |
December 2 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon by appointment (allow 1 hour) |
Spalding 455A |
December 3 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon by appointment (allow 1 hour) |
Spalding 455A |
December 4 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon by appointment (allow 1 hour) |
Spalding 455A |
January 5 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon by appointment (allow 1 hour) |
Spalding 455A |
January 6 |
10:00 am - 12:00 noon by appointment (allow 1 hour) |
Spalding 455A |
Mathematics (MATH 140, 203, 215, 241)
http://www.math.hawaii.edu/ - Click on "ASSESSMENT EXAM SIGN-UP."
- Students who wish to enroll in the following math courses must first pass the math assessment exam. Students should then obtain approval from the Mathematics Department in Keller 419 before registering.
- MATH 140, Precalculus
- MATH 203, Calculus for Business & the Social Sciences
- MATH 215, Applied Calculus 1
- MATH 241, Calculus 1
- PHYS 151, College Physics 1
Some students may be waived from taking the exam. Although waived, these students must still obtain approval from the Mathematics Department. See the department’s website for exceptions and more detailed information.
If you have any questions, contact the Mathematics Department at 956-4679, 956-7951 or email shirley@math.hawaii.edu.
For questions about PHYS 151 and approval, contact the Physics Department at 956-7087 or email physics@hawaii.edu.
RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED. WALK-INS ARE WELCOME.
Students may sign up for an exam beginning November 9 by going to the Mathematics Department’s website.
Date |
Time |
Location |
November 23 |
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
November 24 |
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
November 24 |
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
December 4 |
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
December 4 |
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
December 7 |
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
January 5 |
9:00 am – 10:00 am |
Physical Science 208 |
January 5 |
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Physical Science 208 |
January 5 |
11:00 am - 12:00 noon |
Physical Science 208 |
January 6 |
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
January 6 |
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
January 11 |
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
January 11 |
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
January 14 |
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
Physical Science 208 |
Music http://www.hawaii.edu/uhmmusic/
All music majors MUST report for advising (mandatory) every semester. Students planning to register for restricted music courses, variable credit music courses, or applied music courses, which require departmental approval, must obtain approval (and Course Reference Numbers for courses not published in the Schedule of Classes) in-person during these dates from the appropriate Music Department personnel (advisor or chairperson).
Students enrolled in applied music courses will be assessed a fee of $55.00 per 1 credit and $90.00 per 2 or more credits.
| Advising for Continuing Classified Students: | November 23 to December 10 |
| Advising for Incoming Classified Students: | January 4 to 8 |
Physics (PHYS 151) http://www.phys.hawaii.edu/
All students who wish to enroll in PHYS 151 must have credit for MATH 140, precalculus (or higher) OR have received a passing score on the Mathematics Department's Assessment Exam. Please see details for this exam in the "Mathematics" section of the placement exams and reserve a space at one of the scheduled test sessions. After passing the Assessment Exam go to Watanabe 416 and complete the Physics course approval request form.
For more information, contact the Physics Department (Watanabe 416; 956-7087; physics@hawaii.edu).
Foundations-Written Communication (FW) Placement
(ENG 100, 100A,* 190 and ELI 073, 100)
http://www.mwp.hawaii.edu
IMPORTANT: Students must complete their FW requirement in their first year at UH Manoa.
Placement into an FW course is determined as follows:
- Native speakers of English are placed into ENG 190 if they receive 25 or more transfer credits for their non-UH Manoa courses. All other native English speakers are placed into ENG 100. ENG 100 students should check <http://www.mwp.hawaii.edu> to choose the type of instruction that best suits their writing needs.
- Non-native speakers of English are placed based on ELI exemption criteria (if exempt), or by taking the ELI's writing placement test. (See <http://www.hawaii.edu/eli/> and click on "Information for Students", then on "Do I Need to Take ELI Classes?" for ELI exemption criteria.)
- Those who are exempt from the ELI based on attending school for 6 years or more in the U.S., Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom are placed as described in the "Native speakers of English" section, above. (Students who are exempt based on years of schooling but feel their writing is more "non-native" should contact the ELI.)
- Those who are exempt from the ELI based on other exemption criteria are placed into ELI 100.
- Those who do not meet any ELI exemption criteria must take the ELI’s writing test. (See details in the next section.)
All entering students whose test scores reflect significant academic achievement will be sent a letter inviting them to submit a collection of writing for possible credit for and exemption from ENG 100/ELI 100. Students who do not have
test scores on file but who feel that they already possess the ability to write proficiently should contact the General Education Office (gened@hawaii.edu) before the end of their first semester at UH Manoa if they are interested in submitting a collection for review. Go to
* ENG 100A is an Honors version of ENG 100 (Composition I). Interested students should contact the Honors Program at 956-8391 or email honors@hawaii.edu for details.
English Language Institute (Students Whose Native Language is Not English)
http://www.hawaii.edu/eli/
All students who have English as a second language, and do not meet ELI exemption criteria, are required to take the ELI Placement Test for possible placement into listening/speaking, reading and writing courses. See the ELI website or the UH Manoa Catalog for a list of ELI exemption criteria and more information about ELI courses.
Date |
Time |
Location |
Registration Deadline |
January 5 |
8:15 am - 1:00 pm |
To Be Announced |
January 4, 2:00 pm |
January 7 |
8:15 am - 1:00 pm |
To Be Announced |
January 6, 2:00 pm |
January 13 |
4:45 pm - 9:30 pm |
Bilger 152 |
January 13, 12:00 noon |
Registration can be done online <http://www.hawaii.edu/eli/students/eliptreg.html> or in person at Moore 570.

