All about the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test

All about the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test – JLPT – is offered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. The test is for non-native speakers who want to evaluate and to certify their Japanese language skills. To get better you could also check our language schools for Japanese here.

The test has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. The easiest one is level N5 and the most difficult one is level N1.

In addition the main parts of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test are reading and listeing, but a certain language knowledge (as vocabulary and grammar) is also integretated into the main parts.

The linguistic competence for each level

N5: You can understand some basic Japanese.

  • Reading: You are able to read and understand typical words and sentences which are written in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji.
  • Listening: You are able to listen and to understand conversations about different daily topics. In addition you can pick up necessary information from short and slowly spoken conversations.

N4: You can understand basic Japanese.

  • Reading: You can read and understand passages on familiary daily topics which are written in basic vocabulary.
  • Listening: You are able to listen and to understand conversations in daily life, provided that they are spoken slowly.

N3: You can understand Japanese which is used in everday situations.

  • Reading: You can read and understand written materials with specific contents concerning everyday topics. Moreover you can read slightly difficult writings encountered in everyday situations and understand the main points.
  • Listening: You are able to listen and to understand conversations in everyday situations which are spoken a natural speed.

N2: You can understand Japanese which is used in everyday situations and in a variety of circumstances.

  • Reading: You are able to read materials which are written clearly on a variety of topics (like articles and commentaries in newspapers and magazines). In addition you can read written materials on general topics and understand the intent of the writers.
  • Listening: You can understand conversation and news reports which are spoken at nearly natural speed in everyday situations as well as in a variety of settings. Furthermore you are able to understand the relationships among the people involved and the main points of the presented materials.

N1: You can understand Japanese which is used in a variety of circumstances.

  • Reading: You are able to read and understand writings with logical complexity and abstract writing on a variety of topics.
  • Listening: You are able to understand coherent conversations, news report and lectures which are spoken at natural speed in a broad variety of settings. In addition you are able to understand the details of the presented materials such as relationships, logical structures and essential points.

Would you like to start learning Japanese? Then check our language schools in Japan here.

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