What is JLPT?

Most of the widely used languages have an exam to test the level of the language proficiency of the speaker or learner. If you consider English, there are exams like BULATS, BEC, etc. For Hindi, we have Hindi Prachara Sabha’s exam. For German, we have Zertifikat Deutsch, Großes Sprachdiplom, TestDaF, etc. Japanese is no exception to that! The Japanese The JLPT, Japanese Language Proficiency Test, is a Japanese language skills test for non-native speakers. It doesn’t really mean that the native speaker should not appear for the test but it is designed specifically for the non-native Japanese speakers :) The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test is conducted both in Japan and outside Japan. The test is administered by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services, inside Japan, and by the Japan Foundation, outside Japan. The JLPT was first held in 1984, the year when I was born :D Seems like there is a deep connection between us Lol

Various JLPT Levels

JLPT Exams tests the Japanese proficiency on four different levels ranging from 1 through 4 where 4 being the lowest level and 1 being the highest as well as complicated level. There is no such hard and fast rule that you should start only from Level 4 and end with Level 1. If you think you qualify the skill set of Level 3 or 2 or 1 you then directly can appear for that particular level. However, it is advisable for ay beginner to start with Level 4 and proceed through Level 1.

The Japan Foundation has revised the JLPT Levels and announced that it will be come in to action from 2010 onwards. As per the revised plan, there will be 5 levels.



How often is the JLPT Exam held?

Till last year 2008, the JLPT exam used to happen only once during the December first Sunday. However, this has been revised since 2009. From 2009 onwards, the JLPT is being held twice for Level 1 and 2. It is held only once for Level 3 and 4.

For this 2009, the JLPT is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 5 and in December. In July the Level 1 and Level 2 test will be administered in Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. In December all level test will be administered worldwide.

JLPT Exam syllabus

The exam content differs for each and every level. The exam for all the levels is made up of three sections: Writing-Vocabulary; Listening; Reading-Grammar. The contents and criteria of the test are as follows:


JLPT Results & Certification

It will take around two to three months to get your result. So, if you take up the exam by December 2009 you can expect your result by end of Feb or mid of March 2010. For Level 4, 3 and 2, the pass percent is 60 where as for Level 1 it is 70 percent. Once you got through the exam, you will be issued a certificate for the level which you passed. If you so badly want to know what does a JLPT Certificate looks like, browse through Google Images for JLPT Certification

I am longing for the day to hold my very own certificate in my hands :) "Level 3 certificate come to me" Lol

For all those who are preparing the JLPT, Ganbatte Kudasai!

Keep checking Official JLPT Site for latest updates