Japanese Language Proficiency Test

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The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験 nihongo nōryoku shiken?), or JLPT, is a standardized test to evaluate and certify the language proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers. It is held once every year, on the first Sunday of December. The JLPT has four levels beginning at level 4 and progressing to level 1 - the most difficult. The Japan Foundation estimates that level 4 is reached after approximately 150 hours of study and level 1 after approximately 900 hours of study.[1]

Contents

[edit] History and statistics

The JLPT was first held in 1984 in response to growing demand for standardized Japanese language certification. Initially 7,000 people took the test.[2] Up until 2003, the JLPT was one of the requirements for foreigners entering Japanese University. Since 2003, the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is used by most universities for this purpose.[3]

In 2004, the JLPT was offered in 40 countries, including Japan. Of the 302,198 examinees in that year, 47% (around 140,000) were certified for their respective level.[4]

[edit] Administration

The JLPT is administered by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) in Japan. Overseas, the Japan Foundation co-sponsors the administration of the test with local cultural exchange and/or educational institutions, or with committees specially established for this purpose.[5][6]

[edit] Content

The content of the test is determined by the Test Content Specification (出題基準 Shutsudai kijun?). The Test Content Specification was first published in 1994 and partially revised in 2002 and serves as a reference for examiners to compile test questions (rather than as a study guide for students). The JLPT student is therefore required to obtain past-exam papers or other publications that reference the Test Content Specification in order to determine what to study.

The test specification is written in Japanese and consists of kanji lists, expression lists, vocabulary lists and grammar lists for all four JLPT levels.

The JLPT exam does not require the examinee to write in Japanese, as all of the questions are multiple choice. The questions classified as writing involve choosing the correct word or grammar to complete a sentence, or choosing which kanji is used in a particular word.

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
2 ~1000 (1023) ~6,000 (5035) Intermediate ~600
1 ~2000 (1926) ~10,000 (8009) Advanced ~900 70%

Numbers in brackets indicate the exact number in the current Test Content Specification (Revised Edition, 2004). Note that about 20% of the kanji, grammar or vocabulary in any one exam may not be in the prescribed lists and may be selected at the discretion of exam compilers.[7]

[edit] Exam sections

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] Application procedure

An application form must be submitted during a particular time period - usually from early July to early September - along with a fee. The fee is a fixed price for all examinees in Japan, while outside of Japan, fees are determined by the local host institution in consultation with the Japan Foundation.[8]

JLPT Certificate of Proficiency
JLPT Certificate of Proficiency

[edit] Results

All examinees receive a report including a breakdown of their score for each section of the test. Those who pass also receive a Certificate of Proficiency. Exams take several months to process, hence results are announced the following February for examinees in Japan, and March for overseas candidates. Test results are given to the examinee through the testing organization or centre to which they applied.[9]

[edit] Results of the 2005 JLPT

In Japan
Level Examinees Certified  % Certified
1 32,605 12,999 39.9%
2 17,496 7,432 42.5%
3 8,652 5,495 63.5%
4 2,704 1,984 73.4%
Overseas
Level Examinees Certified  % Certified
1 80,620 23,888 29.6%
2 93,864 28,498 30.4%
3 73,976 35,187 47.6%
4 46,327 23,833 51.4%

[10]

[edit] Revised test

A new revised test was originally scheduled to begin in December 2009. However, it has been postponed until 2010. The revised test will consist of five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. N may be interpreted as being the first letter of either "Nihongo" ("Japanese") or "New".

  • N1: generally the same as the original level 1; however, slightly more advanced
  • N2: the same as the original level 2
  • N3: in between the original level 2 and level 3
  • N4: the same as the original level 3
  • N5: the same as the original level 4

In addition, the tests will be offered twice a year: July and December. This will go into effect in 2009. The July test will only be offered for levels 1 and 2; by 2010, this will be only level N1 and N2.

The revised test will continue to test the same categories as the original. It will not test oral or writing skills. [2]

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ What is the JLPT like?. Japan Foundation. Retrieved on October 8, 2006.
  2. ^ a b 第2回 日本語能力試験改訂 中間報告. Japan Foundation (2008-05-25). Retrieved on 2008-06-13. (Japanese)
  3. ^ What is EJU?. Japan Student Services Organisation. Retrieved on May 30, 2006.
  4. ^ JEES Lv3&4, 2005, pages 88,99
  5. ^ Guidelines, page 1
  6. ^ JEES Lv 1&2, 2005, page 122
  7. ^ Test Content, Foreword
  8. ^ JEES Lv 1&2, 2005, page 122
  9. ^ JEES Lv 1&2, 2005, page 122
  10. ^ JEES Lv 1&2, 2005, page 124

[edit] References

  • The Japan Foundation and Association of International Education, Japanese Language Proficiency Test: Test Content Specifications (Revised Edition), Japan, 2004. ISBN 4-89358-281-X
  • JEES & The Japan Foundation, The 2004 Language Proficiency Test Level 3 and 4 Questions and Correct Answers, 2005. ISBN 4-89358-586-X
  • JEES & The Japan Foundation, The 2005 Language Proficiency Test Level 1 and 2 Questions and Correct Answers, 2006. ISBN 4-89358-609-2
  • [1] JEES & The Japan Foundation, The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (Guidelines), 2006

[edit] External links