The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT; Japanese: 日本語能力試"nihongo nōryoku shiken), is a standardized test to evaluate a person's Japanese languageproficiency - primarily in reading and listening. The JLPT was first held in 1984, in response to growing demand for standardized Japanese language certification for non-native speakers. Up until 2003 it was one of the requirements for foreigners entering a Japanese University, since then the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is used by most universities for this purpose.{{cite web
url = http://www.jasso.go.jp/eju/whats_eju_e.html
title = What is EJU?
publisher = Japan Student Services Organisation
accessdate = May 30
accessyear = 2006
The JLPT is offered by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) inside of Japan, and the Japan Foundation outside of Japan. In 2004, the JLPT was offered in 40 countries, including Japan. Of the 302,198 examinees in that year, 47% (around 140,000) were certified for their respective level. JEES, pages 88,99
The test has four levels of difficulty, ranging from level four (reached after approximately 150 hours of study) to level one (reached after approximately 900 hours of study). There is no actual writing in the test, as all of the questions are multiple choice. The questions classified as writing involve choosing the correct word or grammar element to complete a sentence, or choosing which kanji is used in a particular word.
The test is held once every year on the first Sunday of December. The next test will be on the 3rd of December 2006, and the one thereafter on the 2nd of December 2007.
JLPT Requirements
Level
Kanji
Vocabulary
Listening
Hours of Study
Pass Mark
4
~100 (103)
~800 (728)
Basic
~150
60%
3
~300 (284)
~1,500 (1409)
Intermediate
~300
60%
2
~1000 (1023)
~6,000 (5035)
High Level
~600
60%
1
~2000 (1926)
~10,000 (8009)
Sufficient for life in Japan
~900
70%
Numbers in brackets indicate the exact number in the current Test Content Specification.
Part One: Writing (Kanji) and Vocabulary - 100 points
The first part of the exam has an average of between 35 and 45 questions that require knowledge of Kanji (Writing) and Vocabulary. That is, identifying the right katakana character; selecting the correct kanji and hiragana reading; and choosing the most appropriate word for a given sentence.
Part Two: Listening Comprehension - 100 points
Consists of two sections. The first, involves identifying the correct picture from a selection of four, based on a given conversation. In section two, a conversation is also heard but four possible answers are given orally.
Part Three: Reading Comprehension and Grammar - 200 points
Approximately 20 to 30 questions regarding particles and verb or adjective conjugations, and 20 to 30 questions based on reading comprehension are given in Part Three. These may include fill-in-the-blank parts of a conversation and answering problems or paraphrasing.
Duration of Each Section
Level
Writing & Vocabulary
Listening Comprehension
Grammar & Reading
Total
4
25 mins
25 mins
50 mins
100 mins
3
35 mins
35 mins
70 mins
140 mins
2
35 mins
40 mins
70 mins
145 mins
1
45 mins
45 mins
90 mins
180 mins
Results
Exams take several months to process, so results are announced in February for examinees in Japan, and March for overseas students. They are given to the examinee through the testing organisation or centre to which the examinee applied.
* The Japan Foundation and Association of International Education, Japanese Language Proficiency Test: Test Content Specifications (Revised Edition), Japan, 2004. ISBN 4-89358-281-X * JEES & The Japan Foundation, The 2004 Language Proficiency Test Level 3 and 4 Questions and Correct Answers, 2005. ISBN4-89358-586-X
