The JLPT, Japanese Language Proficiency Test, is a Japanese language skills test for non-native speakers. The test is held in December, only once a year. It is often required by universities or companies that you can show a certain JLPT level in order to enter.

The test consists of four levels, with the tests covering reading, listening, kanji, vocabulary and grammar.

jlpt-levels.jpg

  • Level 4 – Beginner
    Requires knowledge of about 100 kanji and 800 words
  • Level 3 – Intermediate
    Requires knowledge of about 300 kanji and 1500 words
  • Level 2 – Advanced
    Requires knowledge of about 1000 kanji and 6000 words
  • Level 1 – Expert
    Requires knowledge of about 2000 kanji and 10000 words

Test Content and Requirements Summary

Level
 Kanji
 Vocabulary
 Listening
 Hours of Study
 Pass Mark
4 ~100 (103) ~800 (728) Beginner ~150 60%
3 ~300 (284) ~1,500 (1409) Basic ~300 60%
2 ~1000 (1023) ~6,000 (5035) Intermediate ~600 60%
1 ~2000 (1926) ~10,000 (8009) Advanced ~900 70%

Exam Sections

  • Part One: Characters (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 characters and vocabulary. That is, identifying the right kanji character; selecting the correct katakana 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 grammatical constructions, 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 answering time for each section

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

How to Apply

The last application date for the 2008 test has already passed. So for the ones who haven’t applied yet, the only alternative is unfortunately to wait to the 2009 exams, which will be held in December world wide, and additionally in July in Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan. This year’s exam is held December 7 (Sunday), 2008.

How to apply:

  • Go to the official JLPT Site to find more information on how to apply for the JLPT tests.

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