Japanese Tests
The JLPT
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験 nihongo nōryoku shiken) is the definitive international standard to assess the Japanese ability of non-native speakers. The test is held twice a year in Japan, on the first Sunday of both July and December. The applications for July generally become available during March-April and have a Late April deadline. For the December test, the application period usually stretches from August-September. Applications are online. More information is available on the official JLPT website: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html
There are five levels, with N5 testing the most basic Japanese, to N1 being the most difficult. Each level has its own requirements.
N5: The participant is expected to know around 100 kanji and 800 words. The N5 consists of three papers: a 20 minute vocabulary section, a 40 minute grammar/reading section, followed by a 30 minute listening section.
N4: N4 asks the test taker to have knowledge of approximately 300 kanji and 1,500 words. The N4 consists of three papers: a 25 minute vocabulary section, a 55 minute grammar/reading section, followed by a 35 minute listening section.
N3: N3, like N4 and N5, has three papers - a 30 minute vocabulary section, a 70 minute grammar/reading section, followed by a 40 minute listening section.
N2: N2 requires knowledge of around 1000 kanji and 6000 words. From N2 onward, the JLPT is broken down into only two papers. The first is a 105 minute combined Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) ・ Reading section, followed by a 50 minute reding section.
N1: N1 is the hardest of the five levels, with a pass rate of around 30% of those who attempt it. The taker is expected to be able to use all of the general use kanji (常用漢字 jōyō kanji) as well as roughly 10,000 vocabulary words. As with N2, the N1 has two papers. The first is a 110 minute combined Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) ・ Reading section, followed by a 55 minute reding section.
JLPT Grant
CLAIR currently offers a grant for JET Programme participants who pass N1, N2, or N3 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. Aiming to encourage JET Programme participants to improve their Japanese communication abilities, CLAIR offers a grant for those who pass the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) For more information (including eligibility criteria and application guidelines), please refer to . https://jetprogramme.org/en/jlpt/
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験 nihongo nōryoku shiken) is the definitive international standard to assess the Japanese ability of non-native speakers. The test is held twice a year in Japan, on the first Sunday of both July and December. The applications for July generally become available during March-April and have a Late April deadline. For the December test, the application period usually stretches from August-September. Applications are online. More information is available on the official JLPT website: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html
There are five levels, with N5 testing the most basic Japanese, to N1 being the most difficult. Each level has its own requirements.
N5: The participant is expected to know around 100 kanji and 800 words. The N5 consists of three papers: a 20 minute vocabulary section, a 40 minute grammar/reading section, followed by a 30 minute listening section.
N4: N4 asks the test taker to have knowledge of approximately 300 kanji and 1,500 words. The N4 consists of three papers: a 25 minute vocabulary section, a 55 minute grammar/reading section, followed by a 35 minute listening section.
N3: N3, like N4 and N5, has three papers - a 30 minute vocabulary section, a 70 minute grammar/reading section, followed by a 40 minute listening section.
N2: N2 requires knowledge of around 1000 kanji and 6000 words. From N2 onward, the JLPT is broken down into only two papers. The first is a 105 minute combined Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) ・ Reading section, followed by a 50 minute reding section.
N1: N1 is the hardest of the five levels, with a pass rate of around 30% of those who attempt it. The taker is expected to be able to use all of the general use kanji (常用漢字 jōyō kanji) as well as roughly 10,000 vocabulary words. As with N2, the N1 has two papers. The first is a 110 minute combined Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) ・ Reading section, followed by a 55 minute reding section.
JLPT Grant
CLAIR currently offers a grant for JET Programme participants who pass N1, N2, or N3 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. Aiming to encourage JET Programme participants to improve their Japanese communication abilities, CLAIR offers a grant for those who pass the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) For more information (including eligibility criteria and application guidelines), please refer to . https://jetprogramme.org/en/jlpt/
Other Japanese Tests:
Business Japanese Test: This test is geared towards those who are intent on entering the Japanese commercial sector, and is a higher level than other tests. It’s held every autumn in Osaka and Kyoto. The application deadline is in early autumn, and cost is about ¥7000.
For info call or check out their website:
URL: Business Japanese Test
Kanji Kentei: a kanji test renowned for its difficulty at the upper levels (difficult even for native Japanese speakers) www.kanken.or.jp/kanken/