What is a Placement Exam?

A placement exam is a test designed to gauge your skills in a specific language, in this case, Russian or Polish. The results of the exam enable us to place you in the appropriate class level, where you can learn best, without being in a group of students who have significantly more (or less) experience and practice than you. Creating classes of students with similar language levels enables us to maintain a steady pace that aids in the learning outcomes of the entire group. Additionally, our department offers specific Russian courses designed for those who speak Russian at home but may not have reading or writing knowledge in the language. If you are in this group, the exam may help us place you into one of our Heritage Speaker courses.

Who should take a placement exam?

Students who have taken two or more years of a foreign language in high school must take a placement exam before taking that language again as an undergraduate in college. Students who speak Russian or Polish at home but are looking to take courses in that language at Rutgers also need to take the placement exam.

How can I take the test?

The Polish and Russian placement tests are now offered online (links to test information below include access instructions). You have 2 hours (Russian) or 3 hours (Polish) to complete the exam online. Before beginning the exam, be sure to read the instructions on how to use on a Polish or Russian keyboard, which you will need to complete the exam. You will also need to record yourself speaking, so please be sure to take the test in a quiet environment on a device with a microphone. Instructions to access the exams are below:

How will I receive my results?

Incoming first-year students: After we receive your score, we will contact you via your Rutgers email account to inform you of your placement level in Russian or Polish at Rutgers. 

Current Rutgers Students: Your results will be recorded in Degree Navigator.

If you do not receive your results, there is a chance we have incorrect contact information for you. Please call our main office at (848) 932-7781 or email our Program Coordinator Mary Mehalick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you do not hear from us.

If you have any questions about your placement test result, please contact Dr. Cori Anderson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Important Notes about AP Courses

The placement exam does not give you credit for classes you place out of. It only places you in the appropriate class for your skill level. AP Exams (Advanced Placement Exams), which are taken in accordance with advanced high school classes, may or may not provide you university credit. Whether you receive credit depends on your score and the policies of your school at Rutgers. The Department of Germanic, Russian, and East European Languages and Literatures does not control whether or not you receive university credit based on AP Exams. The department does not award departmental or major/minor credit for AP courses or exams.