Germanic Languages

General Information

If you have had any prior instruction in German prior to coming to Columbia/Barnard, you are required to take our placement exam. The placement exam will help us in placing you at the level of German that best reflects your ability. To provide a safe testing environment and more flexibility in taking the exam, we have moved the major part of the (comprises listening, grammar, reading, writing) exam online onto a designated Canvas site. The speaking component will occur either via Zoom or in person.

For more information on the foreign language requirements, please visit:

Columbia:       https://www.college.columbia.edu/core/classes/fl.php

Barnard:          http://catalog.barnard.edu/barnard-college/curriculum/requirements-liberal-arts-degree/foundations/

Placement Exam Dates for the Fall of 2021:

1. Fall orientation and beginning of semester window.

Our first window for the online portion of the placement exam will run from:

August 27, 12 am to September 16, 11:59pm.

For your planning, please note that 9/16 is Yom Kippur and also that 9/17 is the last date to add a class. All placement results need to be completed by then to insure you can register in time.

During this window, you can take the online test at any time or during the orientation windows provided by you (Columbia only). The orientation windows are on:

Thursday, September 2: 9-11:30 am, 1-4 pm, and 4-6 pm

The oral component can occur after completion of the online portion in person or via Zoom as following:

Columbia: During orientation windows: 9-11:30 am (Zoom/in person) , 1-4 pm (Zoom/in-person), and 4-6 pm (Zoom/in person), and by appointment. Please register with Jutta Schmiers-Heller ([email protected]).

Barnard: By appointment with Prof. Motyl ([email protected]) via Zoom or in person.

2. Remainder of Fall semester.

Placement will occur via individual appointments.

Registration Information:

1. You register for the exam via email. Please email Jutta Schmiers-Heller ([email protected]) for Columbia and Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj ([email protected]) for Barnard to indicate that you want to take the placement exam.
2. You will then be added to the Canvas site and receive an invitation to the site that will allow you to take the test.
3. Please accept the invitation to the site, so you can read the instructions. Contact us immediately if you cannot access the site.

Information on the Online German Placement Exam

1. The test will be available as a Quiz on the Canvas site from August 27, 12 am until September 16, 11:49pm. The information on the homepage of the site will guide you to the exam.
2. Please make sure to sign your name to the honor pledge. The exam setup will prompt you to do so.
3. While you have a window of a few days during which you can take the exam, once you start the exam, you will have 95 minutes to complete it. So please keep that in mind as you complete the different parts. (see below: General Test Information)
4. Please follow the instructions provided in the test and note that the use of external resources (such as dictionaries) is not permitted, as the goal is to establish your level of German and find the best class fit for you.
5. The exam should be taken on a tablet or computer using Firefox or Chrome. (Cell phone does not work for listening portion.)
6. Once you have completed the online portion and it has been evaluated, you will be contacted to schedule a final online Zoom interview to complete the exam. 

General Test Information

Overall the test has 5 sections, divided into two parts:
1. Listening Comprehension

2. Vocabulary (everyday words and verb forms)

3. Reading Comprehension

4. Free writing

5. Speaking

Part I: Online Exam:

Sections 1-4 will be completed in an online exam on our Canvas site and. Items 1-3 consist of 62 multiple-choice items. For the writing portion you can choose one of three prompts.

Part II: Personal Interview

Section 5 will be completed through a personal interview with one of our instructors. The interview will take about 15 minutes and will occur after the completion of part I. We will offer in-person and Zoom interviews. Once you have completed part I and it has been evaluated, you will be contacted by departmental representatives to set up the personal Zoom interview.