The Japanese Language Proficiency Test in Japanese is called Nihongo Nouryoku Shiken [日本語能力試験] abbreviated as JLPT. In this article, we will talk about this famous proficiency test and how you can study and pass the exam.
The goal of the JLPT is to evaluate and officially certify a person’s competence in the Japanese language. This exam is usually held on a Sunday in the first half of December. It can be the gateway for those who wish to live in Japan.
Table of Contents
History of the JLPT
The JLPT is an exam that evaluates and officially recognizes the proficiency in Japanese of people who do not have the language as their mother tongue. This exam has been administered since 1984 by the Japan Foundation and the Japan Association for International Education.
The exam was created in response to the growing demand for standardization in the certification of the Japanese language. Initially, 7,000 people took the exam. Until 2003, the JLPT was one of the requirements for foreigners to enter Japanese universities.
In 2003, the Japanese University Admission Test for International Students (EJU) was created, which is used by most universities for this purpose. This EJU is much more complex and requires writing instead of just marking alternatives.
In 2004, the JLPT was offered in 40 countries, including Japan. In Japan, the JLPT is administered by the Ministry of Education through Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET). In 2010, the fifth level was created, establishing a total of 5 levels.
Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The exam is divided into 5 levels, allowing the candidate to choose the level according to their ability. Each level consists of 3 sections: “Spelling and Vocabulary”, “Listening Comprehension” and “Text Comprehension and Grammar”.
- 1st section moji, goi [文字|語彙] – Tests vocabulary and knowledge of different aspects of the Japanese writing system;
- 2nd section chōkai [聴解] – Tests listening comprehension with audio and visual aid tests and without visual aid;
- 3rd section dokkai, bunpō [読解|文法] – Uses various texts and sentences to test reading comprehension. Questions include instructions to fill in the blanks or paraphrase key points;
Thus, each student must study on their own, dedicate themselves, and learn a certain number of kanji, vocabulary, and grammar. In the end, they take this test to know at which level of Japanese they are.
| Level | Kanji | Vocabulary | Listening | Estimated Study Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | ~ 100 | ~ 800 | Beginner | 150 |
| N4 | ~ 300 | ~ 1500 | Basic | 300 |
| N3 | ~ 650 | ~ 3750 | Regular | 450 |
| N2 | ~ 1000 | ~ 6000 | Intermediate | 600 |
| N1 | ~ 2000 | ~ 10,000 | Advanced | 900 |
Each level of the JLPT has a goal, which are:
- JLPT N5 – Being able to understand, to a certain degree, basic Japanese;
- JLPT N4 – Being able to understand basic Japanese;
- JLPT N3 – Being able to understand, to a certain degree, Japanese used in everyday situations;
- JLPT N2 – In addition to understanding Japanese used in everyday situations, being able to understand, to a certain degree, Japanese used in broader situations;
- JLPT N1 – Being able to understand Japanese used in broad situations;
What is the benefit of taking the JLPT?
Although many claim that the exam is proof of their knowledge of Japanese, it is not always a requirement or a sign of fluency. Most of the time, it serves only to test your knowledge.
Fortunately, the Consulate uses this exam as a requirement for some visa applications. Companies also find it interesting for you to have this certificate. Some universities use it as a requirement for enrollment.
By taking any of the tests below and obtaining the certificate, you can have endless opportunities:
- Finding jobs in Japan or Brazil;
- Facilitates entry into a Japanese university;
- Helps you obtain other certificates;
- Brings more confidence when you need to use your Japanese;
- Allows you to take national Japanese nursing exams and others;
- A proficiency certificate is worth more than any diploma from any course anywhere;
- The proficiency certificate is valid worldwide;
Studying for the proficiency test
First, you should focus on studying, checking the requirements, and learning all the kanjis and vocabulary that will appear on the test according to the table above. (You can find this out by visiting the websites I will leave at the end.)
You must register on the specified dates (the exam has a fee), and the test in Brazil is held in 8 major cities across the country. The tests usually last from 100 to 180 minutes, depending on the level.
Like any test, be prepared psychologically, physically, and mentally. Do not forget to follow all the rules stated at the time of taking the test, bring all the required documents, and be careful with cell phones; if it rings, it’s over…
There are many more details about the test that you need to know. There is a PDF that I will leave the link to, containing 77 pages explaining in detail about this new exam (before 2010, the exam was different).
JLPT N5 and N4 Guide – Basic Japanese
As mentioned, the JLPT N5 and N4 levels aim to prove that the student is capable of understanding the basics of the Japanese language, to a certain degree. With about 200-600 hours of study, the student is able to pass the JLPT N5 or JLPT N4 exam.
Those who have the N5 certificate can read and understand stereotypical expressions, sentences, and texts written in hiragana or katakana, or even in basic ideograms used in everyday life. They can capture necessary information in short dialogues spoken slowly, in more common situations in daily life, such as in classrooms or around them, etc.
A student with an N4 certificate is capable of reading and understanding texts whose content is familiar in everyday life, written with basic vocabulary and ideograms. They are also able to understand almost entirely the content of dialogues conducted in everyday situations.
On our website, we have written several articles about the vocabulary and ideograms of N5 and N4, we will list them below:
- JLPT N5 Kanji List
- JLPT N5 Vocabulary List
- JLPT N4 Kanji List
- JLPT N4 Verbs List
- N4 and N5 Adjectives List
- N5 Grammar
- N4 Grammar
JLPT N3, N2, and N1 Guide – Advanced Japanese
Those who hold the JLPT N3 certificate are capable of reading and understanding texts that express concrete content about everyday subjects. They can grasp the main lines of information from the titles of newspaper articles.
The N3 also proves that the student is capable of understanding the essential points of relatively difficult texts they encounter in everyday situations when expressed in a different way.
They are also able to listen to dialogues with consistent content, spoken at a speed close to natural and in everyday situations, understanding practically all the concrete content and the relationship between the characters.
Those who hold the JLPT N2 certificate can consider themselves fluent in the Japanese language. They are able to read and understand the content of texts whose content is clear, such as articles and comments in newspapers and magazines that deal with a wide range of subjects.
They are also capable of reading texts on general topics and understanding the flow of the text, as well as understanding the intentions of the expressions. They listen to dialogues, news, and conversations and can understand most of them without difficulty.
The JLPT N1 proves that the student is fully competent and able to read complex texts without difficulties. They can read in-depth texts, understand the flow of the text, and understand in detail the intentions of the expressions.
They can capture all the information that is said. They can listen to dialogues, news, or lectures with consistent and complex content, spoken at a natural speed and in various situations, understanding in detail the subject and the people around them.
On our website, we have written several articles about the vocabulary and ideograms of N3, N2, and N1, we will list them below:
- JLPT N3 Kanji List
- JLPT N3 Vocabulary List
- Japanese N3 Grammatical Structures
- N2 Vocabulary List
- N2 Kanji List
- N1 Vocabulary List
Links for the JLPT
Below we will leave some links to websites with information about the proficiency exam, the tests, study materials, and more.
- Official Site in Japanese
- Official Site in English
- Tanos – Site with all study material in English.
- PDF explaining exam details
- Japan Foundation Site
JLPT Registration
Now let’s share an average price for the JLPT that may vary according to the year and location:
- N1 = R$ 160.00
- N2 = R$ 130.00
- N3 = R$ 120.00
- N4 = R$ 110.00
- N5 = R$ 100.00
Video about the Nihongo Nouryoku Shiken
I like to end articles by leaving a video. Enjoy the video from the channel faleemjap0nes explaining a bit about the proficiency exam.
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