The most long standing and accepted way to demonstrate Japanese language ability is called the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, called the JLPT for short. The Japanese name for the test is the Nihongo Noryoku Shiken (日本語能力試験).
About the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The JLPT is a collaboration of the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. The Japan Foundation was created by the Japanese government in 1972 to promote international exchange. It was privatized in 2003. The foundation coordinates several programs for international awareness, including the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. It has 22 offices worldwide at which people can participate in art and learn Japanese.
Japanese Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) offers scholarship programs for studying abroad, support for study abroad students, and other programs in addition to the JLPT.
The test was created in 1984, and has grown over the years, reporting over 770,000 test-takers worldwide in 2009. The test is administered within Japan by the JEES, and abroad by the Japan Foundation in cooperation with local educational institutions.
Overview and Objectives of the JLPT
The stated objective of the test is to “evaluate and certify proficiency in Japanese of non-native speakers.” People take the exam for a wide variety of reasons including for job applications, to qualify for promotions, for entrance or placement in colleges and universities, and other similar reasons. The largest number of people, over 30% list “to measure my own level of proficiency” as the reason they decided to take the exam.
Japanese Language Proficiency Test Levels
There are a total of five levels of the test, which was revised slightly in 2009. The levels are in descending order of difficulty, N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. Scores from the older test, which consisted of levels 1 to 4 are still valid. The newer version of the test has simply added a level in the middle, the N3, as a bridge between the level 2 and level 3 on the old test. People who passed Level 1 before 2009 should likewise be able to pass N1. While N3 is new, N4 corresponds to the old level 3, and N2 corresponds to the old level 2.
N1 is the highest or most difficult level to pass. It is described as showing the ability to understand the Japanese used in a variety of situations.
N2 shows the ability to understand Japanese in everyday situations, and to some degree in other situations.
People who have passed N3 are said to demonstrate the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to some degree.
N4 demonstrates the ability to understand basic Japanese.
N5 demonstrates the ability to understand some basic Japanese.
For a resume or other business purposes, the N2 and N1 tests are the most important ones because they show proficiency outside of everyday Japanese, essentially showing the ability to use Japanese in a business or other more formal setting where more difficult words and expressions are used. N3, N4, and N5 are great ways to gauge your progress in learning Japanese, and may also be recognized by some schools or study abroad programs.
Registering for the Japanese Language Proficiency Exam
The JLPT is offered twice a year, once in summer and once in winter. Before 2009, the test was only offered the first Sunday in December, but a test date in July has also been added. The registration process varies by country. The registration for the test begins in August/September for the December test, and March to April for the July testing, but if taking the test outside of Japan, be sure to check the registration dates and processes early.
Registering for the Test in Japan
The registration packet is sold at most major bookstores in Japan. . It can generally be found in the testing section, but may be hard to find so it is worth it to practice a little Japanese and ask one of the clerks to help you. Here is a good site to sign up online in the US.
In Japan, once you buy the packet, you can fill out all of the forms, pay for the test at the post office and send them off. A few months later you will receive your test voucher from JEES. Bring the voucher with you when you take the test, and about 2 months after your test, your results should arrive in the mail.
Registering for the JLPT outside of Japan
When taking the JLPT outside of Japan, the first and most important decision to make is where and when to take it. Please check the JLPT web site (mentioned earlier) for a complete list of cities where the test is offered.
Once you have chosen a good location and testing date to suit your schedule and area, it is time to register. Clicking a location on the map on the JLPT Oversees Testing Page will lead you to a list of locations and the organization handling registration.
In the United States, for example, the test is offered in 11 cities around the country (in 2011). In immersion before the exam.
The N5 is the most basic test and designed to cover introductory level Japanese. The N4 is designed to show an understanding of basic Japanese, and the N3 demonstrates some everyday language ability. Each test has some slight variations in the material and question types asked.
Below, we will take a look at each of the levels, the content of the test, length of the test, and type of questions to expect.
Level N5 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
N5 is the most basic level of the JLPT offered. The written part covers kanji (characters similar to or based on Chinese characters).
The N5 JLPT is a total of 105 minutes long not including breaks, instructions, and other formalities. The vocabulary section is 25 minutes long, followed by a grammar and reading section which is a total of 50 minutes long. The listening section is 30 minutes.
The vocabulary section has 4 types of questions
- Kanji reading will be tested by having test-takers choose the corresponding hiragana for a given kanji.
- Katakana and kanji ability will be tested by asking testers to choose the correct kanji or katakana for a given word in hiragana.
- Some vocabulary may also be tested through use of context (often with drawings illustrating a situation), or having test-takers choose sentences or phrases with a similar meaning to that in the question item.
The grammar section focuses on:
- Selecting the correct grammar form – Test takers choose the correct particle, phrase, or grammatical form to complete the sentence.
- Sentence composition – 4 sentence parts are taken out of a sentence, you have to think about the proper wording to complete the sentence. All of the missing sentence parts are in the list of answers. You choose the one that fits the spot marked with a star.
- Short to medium length passages will also be used to test vocabulary by choosing the correct terms to fit the context of a part of the passage, as well as reading comprehension ability. The shorter passages will be around 80 characters in length, while the medium length passages will be around 250 characters.
The Listening Section focuses on:
- Comprehension of key points
- Understanding of conversational Japanese expressions
- Task based comprehension – which requires test-takers to retrieve information and use it somehow to infer other information.
- Quick response questions – in which test-takers have limited time to answer between test items.
The N4 Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The N4 tests Japanese learners on a larger number of basic kanji than the N5, and expects candidates to be able to handle readings and listening passages on familiar everyday topics. The listening section is spoken slowly and covers common day to day type conversations.
The N4 test is a total of 125 minutes, with 30 minutes dedicated to vocabulary, 1 hour dedicated to grammar and reading, and the final 35 minutes for listening. Most of the questions are similar to those on the N5 test with a higher difficulty level.
The vocabulary section on N4 adds one question type to the N5 types. On N4, test-takers will be given a word, and then 4 sentences from which to choose the one sentence for which the word is used correctly. This can be difficult because it requires understanding the sentences to get the context in addition to understanding the usage of the vocabulary word in question.
The questions on the grammar and reading section, as well as the listening section are basically the same as those found on the N5 test, however done with more difficult topics and more advanced vocabulary and grammar.
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test – Level N3
The N3 test is the new test introduced in 2009 to close the gap in difficulty between the previous test levels 2 and 3. The pre-2009 level 3 is most similar to the current N4 test described above. N3 is the highest of these intermediate levels.
If you previously took the JLPT and passed level 3, continued to study and are wondering what test to take, you may have a good shot at passing the next sequential level which is N3, though students who have advanced a great deal may even want to give the N2 level a try.
The N3 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test features a 30 minute vocabulary section (the same length as the N4), a 70 minute grammar and reading section, and an slightly longer listening section of 40 minutes. The actual test time of the N3 is a total of 140 minutes all together.
The vocabulary question types are the same as level N4, but with much more advanced vocabulary and sentences. By N3, test-takers are expected to be relatively proficient with familiar or everyday topics and words. More specific content, topics, and vocabulary should be mastered by this time, and test-takers should also be able to understand such things as newspaper headlines or summaries of information.
Slightly difficult reading passages are also introduced here with more difficult concepts being explained with alternative and easier to understand language. The N3 test also introduces longer passages into the reading and grammar section of the test.
In the listening test, longer and more “natural” conversations are introduced. The speed with which the speakers speak is also faster than levels N4 and N5. The N3 conversations are said to take place at “near-native level speed”. Listeners are expected to also pick up and infer information from conversations, such as the relationships between speakers among other things.
The listening section on the N3 test also introduces a cultural element, or gleaning a speaker’s intention based on their words. This may not always be direct, and so requires some familiarity with Japanese language communication strategies.
The JLPT N3 listening test also tests usage of verbal expressions using drawings and asking test-takers to choose the correct expression for a given situation. A person in a drawing of a situation is indicated by an arrow. Test-takers listen to a question asked and must respond as the person indicated should, using correct and appropriate Japanese conversation.
Conclusion and Further Investigations
The JLPT provides a sample question for each type of question found on each level of the JLPT. This can be useful for people who are just trying to choose a level to start studying for, or people who want to know what the questions on the test actually look at.
The tests can be a great way to self-check your Japanese language ability, or also to network with other people learning Japanese in your area. Knowing the question types and choosing the appropriate test level can ensure that taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test can be both enjoyable and productive for you. Now that the exam is offered twice a year, the JLPT can be a regular part of any Japanese curriculum.
JLPT Level N1 and N2 Overview
Anyone learning Japanese in order to study abroad, show near-native speaker level fluency, or advance in business should aspire to pass the N2 or N1 levels of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Even people who are learning for pleasure or other reasons could use the test as a great way to understand their ability in the context of what Japan would consider fluent or proficient.
JLPT N1
The N1 is the most difficult level of the JLPT and the highest level Japanese certification available. The pass rate seems high at first glance, close to 35% of test takers in Japan and just under 30% for test takers outside of Japan. However, it is important to remember that with the availability of 5 other levels, most of the people who try the JLPT N1 go into it thinking they have a chance of passing, and hundreds of hours of study time behind them.
JLPT N1 proficiency is described simply as the ability to understand and use Japanese in wide variety of situations. Although there may be little noticeable difference between N1 and N2 level in everyday conversation, someone with N1 will have much more versatility, larger active and passive vocabularies, and better overall skills, especially when dealing with unfamiliar or less common situations and topics.
The N2 is also recognized as showing a high level of proficiency with the language, and is the goal of many long-term study abroad programs. Someone who is N2 level is described as being able to understand Japanese in everyday situations and in a wide variety of other situations “to a certain degree”. This means that with less common situations, an N2 may encounter some small difficulties, but have no hindrance in communicating in everyday situations.
Overview of Level N1 Test
N1 is the most difficult and highest level offered. The test is also the longest of the JLPT exams at a total of 170 minutes not counting breaks, explanations, and other administrative necessities. The N1 and also the N2 are structured differently from the other tests with more integration between the reading, grammar, and vocabulary sections.
The Japanese linguistic competency required in the reading section is the ability to read materials with “logical complexity” on a variety of topics. Also required is the ability to follow narratives with “profound contents” on a variety of topics and understand the “intent” of the writers.
I used quotes for the terms I think potential test-takers should think about. Logical complexity could mean such things as essays with contradictory arguments, complex instructions on how to do something, or other topics one might encounter in business situations or other less common circumstances. The second part about understanding the “intent” of writers is also significant because it implies that readers will be expected to read between the lines and understand certain nuances in grammar and word usage. A possible example of this is the use of the Japanese term “…kirai ga aru” which implies a tendency for something to happen. That “something” has a negative connotation. N1 level readers should recognize the intent of the usage of “kirai ga aru” without it being stated outright.
The N1 starts off with a vocabulary/grammar and reading section that is 110 minutes long. The structure allows test-makers to increase the difficulty and realism of the test questions by integrating comprehension with the vocabulary and grammar.
N1 vocabulary/grammar and reading section common questions:
• The grammar questions are similar to other levels with, of course somewhat more advanced grammar. Selecting grammar forms, sentence composition, and text grammar will all be included.
• There are no orthography or word formation questions on the N1 vocabulary section, however all of the other types are in place. Vocabulary questions will include paraphrasing, usage, terms defined through context, and the inevitable kanji reading.
Those who pass the N1 listening section are expected to comprehensively understand the content of anything from news reports to conversations to lectures spoken at natural speed in a variety of settings. They should also understand intent as well as the implied relationships among speakers. The implied relationship part means that just through a proper understanding of the wording used, one should be able to figure out whether the conversation is among friends, people who’ve just met, a person and his or her superior at work, or family members… to list a few possibilities.
N1 listening section question types:
• Integrated comprehension – which makes use of reading materials or visuals in addition to the listening.
• Quick response – meaning very little time is given to think or review notes before the next test item begins.
• Task based, general outline, and comprehension of key points questions – the standard listening type questions that ask listeners to do something, find specific information, or understand the general idea or intent of a passage.
Overview of Level N2 Test
The N2 test is the level that primarily shows that a person can function effectively and with little trouble in everyday situations, with somewhat good functionality in unfamiliar or non-everyday situations as well. Many study abroad in Japan programs or companies require or aspire to this level because it shows that one doesn’t need much outside support to successfully function in a situation of Japanese language immersion.
The JLPT N2 level test runs a total of 155 minutes for the exam itself. As with the all levels, this does not count explanation time and breaks. The language knowledge section is 105 minutes, and includes the grammar, reading comprehension, and vocabulary questions in a mostly integrated style.
The N2 question types and one type unique to N2:
• The N2 level contains vocabulary questions on usage, kanji reading, orthography, paraphrasing, and contextually defined terms, but also adds one more. Word formation is a type of question unique to the N2 level. In this type of question, you are given part of a word and asked to supply the remaining kanji character. On example I’ve seen is a sentence in which “bamen” (scene) is provided. The context of the sentence calls for the completed word to be “meibamen” (famous scenes). The list of possible answers consists of 4 kanji, all of which can be read “mei” and you have to choose the correct one.
• Although this level doesn’t have the long reading passages found in levels N1 and N3, it is integrated the same way N1 is so even shorter passages can be challenging.
• The grammar questions are similar to those found in all of the other levels, though with N2 level grammar terms and vocabulary used in the sentences. The questions are basically, text and sentence grammar, and the sentence composition questions for which test-takers have to determine the proper word order of 4 sentence parts and fill the answer that fits where the star is.
The JLPT N2 listening test includes all the same questions as then N1, including the integrated lessons.
N2 listening test question types:
• Task based listening comprehension, as well as listening for key points and general ideas.
• Quick response questions – these questions allow little thinking, review, or note-taking time, and can be difficult if one falls behind.
• Integrated comprehension – as with the N1 test, these items are not limited to just listening but require taking in other types of information as well.
Conclusion and Further Investigations
The JLPT provides a sample question for each type of question found on each level of the JLPT. This can be useful for people who are just trying to choose a level to start studying for, or people who want to know what the questions on the test actually look at.
The N2 and N1 level Japanese Language Proficiency Exams are the pinnacle of standardized Japanese language exams. Either of these certifications can serve as proof of one’s ability to effectively communicate and function in Japanese.
There are a total of 5 levels, from N1 to N5 and they are spaced well enough to serve as a good guide for people learning Japanese who want some verification of their accomplishments.