About JLPT

JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is a standardized test for non-native Japanese language speakers. The test covers reading and listening comprehension. Writing skills are not tested. The test was started in 1984 by the Japan Foundation in order to provide a scale for the level of the Japanese language proficiency. Initially, 7000 people took the test, the number is constantly increasing and in 2008 a total of more than 559 thousand took the test.

More information on The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test

JLPT Levels – Please note the changes

The JLPT used to be divided into four levels 1 to 4, 1 being the most difficult and 4 the easiest until last year. However, from 2010, the test levels have been increased to 5 and the new levels are denoted by N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. It is understood that the in the new tests, N5 will be equivalent to old level 4 and N1 will be equivalent to old level 1. Most likely the new level N4 will be equivalent to old level 3. However, the number of kanji expected to be mastered for each of the intermediate levels (N2, N3 and perhaps N3) is not yet certain. Each level test itself is again divided into 3 parts (listening, vocabulary/kanji, and comprehension of long passages).

Wherever possible we have tried to correlate the level of language to new JLPT levels and our new tests are designed with the new N1 and N2 in mind. However, the categorization of kanjis and other vocabulary still uses the old levels of JLPT as reference, since the dictionaries we refer to etc are all marked in old levels. It will take some time for all the references to be re-categorized to new levels. We request you to please bear with this while this change is fully implemented.

Test Administration timings

Previously the test was held once a year in Japan and overseas. But since last year, the test is administered twice in East Asia for higher levels.

Test Date: July 4th (Sunday), 2010 (for N1, N2, N3), in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan

Test Date: December 5th (Sunday), 2010 (for all 5 levels, all centers),

You can find a list of where the test is held outside Japan
here:http://momo.jpf.go.jp/jlpt/overseas/e/list_e.html.

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