Filipino Placement Test

Interested in Filipino Language?

Take the Filipino Placement test for free. Save time and money by earning back credits, and take a shorter path towards achieving your academic goals.

The Filipino & Philippine Culture Program offers free placement exams for students with varying degrees of language proficiency.


Students placed into FIL 102 or higher, are eligible for back credits (up to 16 credits). For example, if students who are placed in FIL 301 complete the course with a grade of C or better, then they will receive back credits for FIL 101, FIL 102, FIL 201 and FIL 202 for a total of 16 credits.

Students with no prior Filipino language experience should enroll in FIL 101 and may do so without consent.

Filipino placement exams are administered regularly and by appointment. To set a date and time, please contact Filipino placement exam coordinators, Dr. Jayson Parba and Precious Arao at (uhmfil@hawaii.edu)

ONLINE PLACEMENT TEST


We are now administering the placement test (PT) online. This online placement test will require you to download zoom BOTH on your computer and on your phone. During the test, you are required to share your desktop with the examiner(s) and use zoom video on your phone to show them that you are not accessing online dictionaries or getting any help from someone. Please make sure that you have functioning cameras on your mobile phone and computer during the test. We hope you understand that we have to do this in order to protect the integrity of the PT.

The placement test will assess the following skills: reading comprehension, grammar/verb conjugation, writing, and speaking. The PT assesses your current proficiency level in Filipino, so reviewing before taking it is not necessary. It takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to finish the test, including the speaking and interview part.

To receive back credits or recieve a language waiver, download and fill out the form below after receiving your grade and email it to Ms. Ces Ann Jocson (cjocson@hawaii.edu), at Spalding 255.


SEAL OF BILITERACY


Students who earned a Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation may be able to skip the placement test and potentially earn 16 back credits after taking a 300+ level Filipino class. Please email uhmfil@hawaii.edu a copy of your certificate and the results describing your speaking and writing proficiency so we can schedule an interview to confirm your level.

DID YOU FINISH HIGH SCHOOL OR GRADE SCHOOL IN THE PHILIPPINES?


If you finished high school or grade school in the Philippines or studied at a Philippine university or college before coming to UHM, you may be able to skip the placement test and and potentially earn 16 back credits after taking a 300+/400+ level Filipino class. Please email us for more details.

WHY IS EARNING BACK CREDITS BETTER THAN GETTING A LANGUAGE WAIVER?


Although uncommon, some students decide to waive their language requirement after taking the placement test. But did you know that this might not be the best option? Getting a language waiver will rob you of the opportunity to earn 16 back credits which can count towards graduation credit requirement. By simply taking one 300+ or 400+ Filipino course and getting a grade of C or better, you will not only earn 16 back credits but also the additional 3 credits from the 300+/400+ course. Not only that, 300+/400+ level courses often have WI and OC focus which can be used to fulfill focus requirements and also count as an upper division elective! 19 credits in total! This is the fastest and most efficient way towards earning your degree.