Introduction to the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a complete evaluation system for non-native Japanese learners in Japan and overseas, organized in Japan by the Japanese Language International Education Support Association, and in China by the Japan Foundation for International Exchange and the Overseas Examinations Center of the Ministry of Education of China. In 2009, 900,000 people worldwide signed up for the test.
In 2009, the test was held in 176 cities in 54 countries and regions around the world (excluding Japan), with 742,000 applicants. In Japan, the examination implementation Committee decides on its policy, implementation plan, examination content and certificate awarding criteria, etc. The planning committee is responsible for the formulation of the implementation plan and the analysis and evaluation of the examination results; the examination committee is responsible for setting the test questions.
In China, the test is organized and implemented by the examination Center of the Ministry of Education. The test has been held twice a year since 2009 and is set on the first Sunday of July and December. There are no age, occupation, education, region, ethnicity, nationality and other restrictions on registration. Both Chinese citizens (with official resident ID cards) and foreigners (with passports) can apply online.
In recent years, the scope of candidates has been expanding, and the purposes of the test has been increasing. The number of requests and recommendations for testing is also growing. As a result, the content of the JLPT was revised, and a new Japanese language proficiency test has been implemented since 2010.
The new JLPT is divided into five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. N1 and N2 are divided into two subjects: “Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary, grammar)”, “Reading” and “Listening”; N3, N4, N5 are divided into three subjects: “Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary)”, “Language Knowledge (Grammar), Reading” and “Listening.” The total score for each level test is 180.
The result letter will be issued by the International Exchange Foundation through the Examination Center of the Ministry of Education and its affiliated test centers to the candidates themselves. Those who pass the test will also receive a certificate of conformity issued by the Japan International Exchange Foundation. N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5 certificates are valid for a long time.
* “N” stands for “Nihongo” and “New.”
Subject and length:
Level
Subject and length
N1
Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary, grammar); Reading
Listening
110 min
60 min
N2
Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary, grammar); Reading
Listening
105 min
50 min
N3
Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary)
Language Knowledge (Grammar); Reading
Listening
30 min
70 min
40 min
N4
Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary)
Language Knowledge (Grammar); Reading
Listening
25 min
55 min
35 min
N5
Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary)
Language Knowledge (Grammar); Reading
Listening
20 min
40 min
30 min
Scores:
Level
Subject
Score scale
N1
Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary, grammar)
0～60
N2
Reading
0～60
N3
Listening
0～60
Total score
0～180
N4
Language knowledge (characters, vocabulary, grammar) and Reading
0～120
N5
Listening
0～60
Total score
0～180
The overall result is assessed by the total score and the passing score of each individual subject. If one of the individual results does not meet the passing mark, it will not be considered a pass.
Website address: https://jlpt-main.neea.cn
TELE: 010-82345676
Email：jlpt@mail.neea.edu.cn
