Japanese Language Proficiency Test

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The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (or simply JLPT; Japanese: 日本語能力試験 nihongo nōryoku shiken), is a standardized test to evaluate a person's Japanese language proficiency - primarily in reading and listening. Although there is no actual writing in the test, 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 JLPT was created 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 entry by foreigners into Japanese Universities. Now, the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is used for this purpose by most universities.

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 (from 355,423 applicants), 47.3% or 142,996 were certified for their respective level.

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). A level four vocabulary is roughly equivalent to an early elementary school education, level three to late elementary school, level two to middle school, and level one to a high school graduate.

The test takes place every first Sunday in December. The next test will be on 3 December 2006, and the one thereafter on 2 December 2007.

JLPT Requirements
Level Kanji Words Listening Hours of study Pass Mark
4 ~100 ~800 Simple ~150 60%
3 ~300 ~1,500 Everyday ~300 60%
2 ~1000 ~6,000 General ~600 60%
1 ~2000 ~10,000 Sufficient for life in Japan ~900 70%

Contents

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Taking the Test

After a student's application for the test is received, a test voucher is sent to confirm their acceptance. This voucher contains a unique ID and students must bring this test voucher as well as some form of identification (eg driver's license) to the exam. Upon arriving at the exam centre, students check the notice board for which exam room to enter. The notice board will contain a list of rooms together with a range of student ID's to indicate which students are allocated to which room. Seats are pre-allocated so once you are in the room, check the seats for your ID. Full instructions are given before each section. You must bring your own 2B or HB pencil, although spares are often provided for those who forget. Examinees must turn off all electronic devices and alarms. If any electronic sound is made during the exam, the person responsible will be expelled and their score annulled. They are very serious about this, so be warned. The exam is divided into several sections depending on which level is being taken. Instructions are usually given in the language of the country in which the test is taken.

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Exam Sections

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Part One: Kanji and Vocabulary 100 points

The Kanji section of the exam has an average of between 35 and 45 questions that require basic writing and reading knowledge. That is, identifying the right katakana character; selecting the correct kanji and hiragana reading; and choosing the most appropriate word for a given sentence. After 25 minutes, you are given a 15-20 minute break. You must take your test voucher with you if you leave the room.

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Part Two: Listening Comprehension 100 points

The Listening section starts with an audio test. The speakers on the tape repeat simple sentences so that the volume of the tape may be assessed by examinees. If it is not clear, you may raise your hand and request some adjustment. After this, instructions are given orally. Once instructions are read out, no one from outside is admitted. Audio is not repeated. The first section consists of choosing the correct picture from 4 choices, according to the conversation heard. The second section is 4 multiple choice options read orally, following a spoken conversation. In the second section you must mark one right answer in the correct line, and mark three wrong ones in the wrong line. Part two ends at the same time as the tape ends. Following this, a second break is given. Don't forget your voucher if you leave the room.

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Part Three: Reading Comprehension and Grammar 200 points

After you enter the room, every last instruction is repeated. The exam consists of about 20-30 questions regarding particles and verb or adjective conjugations, and 20-30 questions based on reading comprehension. These may include fill-in-the-blank parts of a conversation and answering problems or paraphrasing. After this section, you are free to go. Take your Test Voucher with you as a souvenir. The examination question booklets are not allowed to be taken and are collected after each session.

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Duration of Each Section

Level\Section Vocabulary and Kanji Listening Comprehension Grammar & Reading Comprehension Total
Level 4 25 minutes 25 minutes 50 minutes 100 minutes
Level 3 35 minutes 35 minutes 70 minutes 140 minutes
Level 2 35 minutes 40 minutes 70 minutes 145 minutes
Level 1 45 minutes 45 minutes 90 minutes 180 minutes
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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.

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Criticism

Over the years there have been a number of criticisms of the test. Some of them include:

  • The test is only offered once a year, and some people feel the application process is time-consuming, expensive and inconvenient as there is just a small window of time to apply for the exam around September.
  • There are too few levels. As a result of this, there is no smooth progression, in terms of study time, from one level to the next because the differences between some levels is more significant than others. For example, going up from level 4 to 3 should ordinarily take just one year, while going up from level 3 to 2, would reasonably take around two years. Many feel the distance between level 1 and 2 is, likewise, too large. Subsequently, the meaning of the test is diminished when people who are higher than level 2 cannot prove it until they are so good that they can pass level 1. Finally, some people want a level even higher than level 1, as they feel the current level 1 does not provide a sufficient "upper ceiling" for Japanese ability.
  • Some feel that the claims made by the testing agency about the meaning of the test are debatable. Level 1 supposedly means you can function in Japanese society, but there is no speaking element to the test, and the listening is generally felt to be below the level of a TV news broadcast or academic lecture.
  • The results take too long to return. The test is held in early December and is automatically marked by a machine, yet it takes at least 2 months before the result is returned - 3 months for those outside Japan.
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See also

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External links

es:Nihongo nōryoku shiken fr:Test d'aptitude en japonais ms:Ujian Kemahiran dalam Bahasa Jepun ja:日本語能力試験 pl:Japanese Language Proficiency Test fi:JLPT zh:日本语能力测试

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