I've mentioned the JLPT a few times over the past couple weeks, but today I want to talk about it in detail. Like I've said, I'm planning to take the JLPT later this year. I'm shooting for the level 3 test this year and feel I've already got a pretty good grasp of most of the requirements for that level already and should be more than ready for it come test time.While the actual test isn't required and won't make me better at Japanese, I think it makes a great motivator and mark of pride to be able to have some tangible sign of how well you are doing with the language.
For anyone else interested in the JLPT, I've composed a brief FAQ for you and plan to have more posts in the future related to this topic, including vocabulary and kanji lists. Hit the jump for the FAQ.
What is the JLPT?
The JLPT, formally known as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, is an annual, standardized test designed to evaluate and certify the ability of non-Japanese speakers. There are four levels of proficiency for the JLPT, ranging from 1 to 4, with 4 being the easiest.
When is the JLPT?
The JLPT is held every year, typically on the first Sunday of December. However, the actual dates, locations and times are subject to change.
Where can I take the JLPT?
As stated, the actual locations are subject to change, but, in general, the actual sites stay the same from year to year with few exceptions. As the 2008 locations haven't been finalized as of right now, you can check out the 2007 locations by clicking here. You can contact the area near you and see if they have any information on this year's test if you want to make arrangements early.
How Much is it to Take the Test?
Typically, it costs $60 to take the taste, but that is subject to change and this year's cost hasn't been officially announced as of yet.
What do the Levels Mean?
The JLPT comes in four distinct flavours, ranging from beginner at level 4 to fluent at level 1. No, that isn't a misprint. The higher the number, the easier the test. In 2010, the test is supposed to be revised and will include 5 levels, ranging from N5 to N1, and will be offered twice a year instead of the current once. N5 will correspond to the current JLPT4, N4 will be the same as JLPT3, N3 will be a new test combining parts of JLPT3 and 2, N2 will be similar to JLPT2 and N1 will be the same as JLPT1.
Which Test Should I Take?
As for what test you should take, that varies from person to person and should be decided based on the requirements of each test, which are listed below.
JLPT4
Recommended Amount of Study Time - estimated 150 Hours
Kanji - you should know about 100 kanji
Vocabulary - you should know about 800 words
Grammar - you should be able to read, understand and write basic sentences
JLPT3
Recommended Amount of Study Time - estimated 300 Hours
Kanji - you should know about 300 kanji
Vocabulary - you should know about 1500 words
Grammar - you should be able to take part in everyday conversation and read, understand and write intermediate sentences
JLPT2
Recommended Amount of Study Time - estimated 600 Hours
Kanji - you should know about 1000 kanji
Vocabulary - you should know about 6000 words
Grammar - you should be able to converse freely on a variety of subjects and read, understand and write complex sentences
JLPT1
Recommended Amount of Study Time - estimated 900 Hours
Kanji - you should know about 2000 kanji
Vocabulary - you should know about 10000 words
Grammar - you should have an intimate knowledge of the language, be able to freely converse on any topic, read, write and speak fluently and be ready to integrate into everyday Japanese society
My recommendation would be to estimate your current level based on these guidelines and then make a decision on what test you will take based on how much time you will be able to devote to learning over the next several months.
Don't let the high vocabulary numbers discourage you. They seem to count different tenses and conjugations of words, similar to how run, runs, running and ran are all come from the same base word, run, in English. So, while you may be thinking you don't know 800 words, you'd be surprised how many you actually do know once you see the actual vocab list.
Also, you do not need to know every kanji for all of the vocabulary. Just the hiragana or katakana writing.
What is the Test Comprised of?
Regardless of what level test you take, each is broken up into three parts - Writing - Vocabulary, Listening and Grammar. The test is scored out of 400 with each section weighted differently. Writing - Vocabulary and Listening comprised 100 points each while Grammar is worth 200 points for 50% of the final mark. This means you must know how to read and form sentences in order to pass and cannot rely solely on rote memorization of kanji and vocabulary. Furthermore, the test lengths vary in time for each level with JLPT4 only being 100 minutes long while JLPT1 can go upwards to 180 minutes.
What is the Test Like?
The test is, as stated, broken down into three sections. Each section is made up of multiple choice questions and you are asked to pick the best answer from the four available choices. This can range from picking correct kanji for hiragana, hiragana for kanji, particles, conjugations and so on.
Writing - Vocabulary Section
Here's an example from the Writing - Vocabulary section for those curious. The instructions are not given in English, but are basically telling you to pick the best choice for each of the following multiple choice question, which, in this case, requires you to choose the correct hiragana writing for each kanji in the sentence.
Here's another section from the Writing - Vocabulary part of the test. This time, the instructions tell you to, again, choose the best answer for each question. However, this time, they give you the hiragana word and ask you to pick the correct kanji for each. You should be careful during this section as many of the kanji answers look very similar to each other, as evidenced in this example question.
Listening Section
While I have never taken the test before, based on what I've read and have been told, the Listening section consists of listening to a taped recording of Japanese speakers discussing something and you having to answer questions based on what was said. It should be played twice so you won't have to worry about accidently missing something if it was said too quick or if you misheard the first time.
Grammar Section
The Grammar section requires you to fill in particles for given sentences and you will be required to be able to properly distinguish between particles such as は, か, も, の, が, で, を, に and several others. You will also be required to be able to choose the correct conjugation of words based on the sentence, whether the te-form, masu-form or what have you. It is, by far, the most difficult section and probably the one most people end up neglecting, especially if they are self taught, due to over-focusing on kanji and vocabulary memorization.
There is also a reading part to this section where you are asked to read sample paragraphs and answering multiple choice questions on each.
What is the Pass Mark for the Test?
For the JLPT2, 3 and 4, the pass mark is 60% while the JLPT1 requires a 70% to pass. Here's a breakdown of each test level's certification percentages (based on 2005 scores).
When test taken in Japan:
JLPT1 - 39.9%
JLPT2 - 42.5%
JLPT3 - 63.5%
JLPT4 - 73.4%
When test taken overseas:
JLPT1 - 29.6%
JLPT2 - 30.4%
JLPT3 - 47.6%
JLPT4 - 51.4%
Where Can I Find Out More Information?
You can check out the JEES Japanese Language Proficiency Test Home Page or the Japan Foundation's English JLPT pages for more details on test locations, requirements and more.
The JLPT, formally known as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, is an annual, standardized test designed to evaluate and certify the ability of non-Japanese speakers. There are four levels of proficiency for the JLPT, ranging from 1 to 4, with 4 being the easiest.
When is the JLPT?
The JLPT is held every year, typically on the first Sunday of December. However, the actual dates, locations and times are subject to change.
Where can I take the JLPT?
As stated, the actual locations are subject to change, but, in general, the actual sites stay the same from year to year with few exceptions. As the 2008 locations haven't been finalized as of right now, you can check out the 2007 locations by clicking here. You can contact the area near you and see if they have any information on this year's test if you want to make arrangements early.
How Much is it to Take the Test?
Typically, it costs $60 to take the taste, but that is subject to change and this year's cost hasn't been officially announced as of yet.
What do the Levels Mean?
The JLPT comes in four distinct flavours, ranging from beginner at level 4 to fluent at level 1. No, that isn't a misprint. The higher the number, the easier the test. In 2010, the test is supposed to be revised and will include 5 levels, ranging from N5 to N1, and will be offered twice a year instead of the current once. N5 will correspond to the current JLPT4, N4 will be the same as JLPT3, N3 will be a new test combining parts of JLPT3 and 2, N2 will be similar to JLPT2 and N1 will be the same as JLPT1.
Which Test Should I Take?
As for what test you should take, that varies from person to person and should be decided based on the requirements of each test, which are listed below.
JLPT4
Recommended Amount of Study Time - estimated 150 Hours
Kanji - you should know about 100 kanji
Vocabulary - you should know about 800 words
Grammar - you should be able to read, understand and write basic sentences
JLPT3
Recommended Amount of Study Time - estimated 300 Hours
Kanji - you should know about 300 kanji
Vocabulary - you should know about 1500 words
Grammar - you should be able to take part in everyday conversation and read, understand and write intermediate sentences
JLPT2
Recommended Amount of Study Time - estimated 600 Hours
Kanji - you should know about 1000 kanji
Vocabulary - you should know about 6000 words
Grammar - you should be able to converse freely on a variety of subjects and read, understand and write complex sentences
JLPT1
Recommended Amount of Study Time - estimated 900 Hours
Kanji - you should know about 2000 kanji
Vocabulary - you should know about 10000 words
Grammar - you should have an intimate knowledge of the language, be able to freely converse on any topic, read, write and speak fluently and be ready to integrate into everyday Japanese society
My recommendation would be to estimate your current level based on these guidelines and then make a decision on what test you will take based on how much time you will be able to devote to learning over the next several months.
Don't let the high vocabulary numbers discourage you. They seem to count different tenses and conjugations of words, similar to how run, runs, running and ran are all come from the same base word, run, in English. So, while you may be thinking you don't know 800 words, you'd be surprised how many you actually do know once you see the actual vocab list.
Also, you do not need to know every kanji for all of the vocabulary. Just the hiragana or katakana writing.
What is the Test Comprised of?
Regardless of what level test you take, each is broken up into three parts - Writing - Vocabulary, Listening and Grammar. The test is scored out of 400 with each section weighted differently. Writing - Vocabulary and Listening comprised 100 points each while Grammar is worth 200 points for 50% of the final mark. This means you must know how to read and form sentences in order to pass and cannot rely solely on rote memorization of kanji and vocabulary. Furthermore, the test lengths vary in time for each level with JLPT4 only being 100 minutes long while JLPT1 can go upwards to 180 minutes.
What is the Test Like?
The test is, as stated, broken down into three sections. Each section is made up of multiple choice questions and you are asked to pick the best answer from the four available choices. This can range from picking correct kanji for hiragana, hiragana for kanji, particles, conjugations and so on.
Writing - Vocabulary Section
Here's an example from the Writing - Vocabulary section for those curious. The instructions are not given in English, but are basically telling you to pick the best choice for each of the following multiple choice question, which, in this case, requires you to choose the correct hiragana writing for each kanji in the sentence.
もんだいI _____の ことばは どう よみますか。 1 2 3 4
から いちばん いい ものを えらびなさい。
とい1 （１）友だちが （２）外国から 来ました。
1 友だちが 1. ともだち 2. どもだち 3. どむだち 4. とむだち
2 外国 1. がいごく 2. かいこく 3. がいこく 4. かいごく
Here's another section from the Writing - Vocabulary part of the test. This time, the instructions tell you to, again, choose the best answer for each question. However, this time, they give you the hiragana word and ask you to pick the correct kanji for each. You should be careful during this section as many of the kanji answers look very similar to each other, as evidenced in this example question.
もんだいII ____の ことばは どう かきますか。 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
から いちばん いい ものを えらびなさい。
とい1 わたしの （１６）こどもは はなが すきです。
16 こども 1.了ども 2.子ども 3.千ども 4.予ども
Listening Section
While I have never taken the test before, based on what I've read and have been told, the Listening section consists of listening to a taped recording of Japanese speakers discussing something and you having to answer questions based on what was said. It should be played twice so you won't have to worry about accidently missing something if it was said too quick or if you misheard the first time.
Grammar Section
The Grammar section requires you to fill in particles for given sentences and you will be required to be able to properly distinguish between particles such as は, か, も, の, が, で, を, に and several others. You will also be required to be able to choose the correct conjugation of words based on the sentence, whether the te-form, masu-form or what have you. It is, by far, the most difficult section and probably the one most people end up neglecting, especially if they are self taught, due to over-focusing on kanji and vocabulary memorization.
There is also a reading part to this section where you are asked to read sample paragraphs and answering multiple choice questions on each.
What is the Pass Mark for the Test?
For the JLPT2, 3 and 4, the pass mark is 60% while the JLPT1 requires a 70% to pass. Here's a breakdown of each test level's certification percentages (based on 2005 scores).
When test taken in Japan:
JLPT1 - 39.9%
JLPT2 - 42.5%
JLPT3 - 63.5%
JLPT4 - 73.4%
When test taken overseas:
JLPT1 - 29.6%
JLPT2 - 30.4%
JLPT3 - 47.6%
JLPT4 - 51.4%
Where Can I Find Out More Information?
You can check out the JEES Japanese Language Proficiency Test Home Page or the Japan Foundation's English JLPT pages for more details on test locations, requirements and more.
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