The
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test in 2012
The Japanese-Language
Proficiency Test (JLPT) has been offered by the Japan Foundation and Japan
Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) since 1984 as a reliable means to
evaluate and certify the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers. Over
time, test applicants became diversified, and use of JLPT results has expanded,
therefore, the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services
introduced a revised version of the test in 2010. In December 2, 2012,
the JLPT will be held in Israel for the first time. The test site for 2012 is
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Emphasizing both
practical Japanese communicative competence and knowledge of the Japanese
language, the test measures language knowledge which includes vocabulary and
grammar, and the competence required to perform communicative tasks using such
language knowledge.
|
Level
|
A
Summary of Linguistic Competence Required for Each Level
|
Corresponding
Levels of New and Old Tests
|
|
N1
|
The
ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances.
|
Approximately the
same level as the old Level 1 test, but designed to measure slightly more
advanced abilities.
|
|
N2
|
The
ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety
of circumstances to a certain degree.
|
Approximately the
same level as the old Level 2 test.
|
|
N3
|
The
ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain
degree.
|
Positioned at a
level bridging the old Level 2 and Level 3 tests. (Newly established)
|
|
N4
|
The
ability to understand basic Japanese.
|
Approximately the
same level as the old Level 3 test.
|
|
N5
|
The
ability to understand some basic Japanese.
|
Approximately the
same level as the old Level 4 test.
|
As for the criteria of the old test,
it is as follows;
|
Level
|
Criteria
|
|
1
|
The
examinee has mastered grammar to a high level, knows around 2.000 Kanji
and 10.000 words, and has an integrated command of the language sufficient
for life in Japanese society. This
level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 900 hours.
|
|
2
|
The
examinee has mastered grammar to a relatively high level, knows around 1.000 Kanji
and 6.000 words, and has the ability to converse, read and write about
matters of a general nature. This
level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 600 hours and
after completion of an intermediate course.
|
|
3
|
The
examinee has mastered grammar to a limited level, knows around 300 Kanji
and 1.500 words, and has the ability to take part in everyday conversation
and to read and write simple sentences.
This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 300 hours
and after completion of an elementary course.
|
|
4
|
The
examinee has mastered the basic elements of grammar, knows around 100 Kanji
and 800 words, and has the ability to engage in simple conversation and to
read and write short, simple sentences.
This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 150
hours and after completion of the first half of an elementary course. |
Test Sections and Test
Time
With Levels N1 and
N2, “Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)” and “Reading” are treated as one
test section. With Levels N3, N4 and N5, “Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)” and
“Language Knowledge (Grammar) ▪ Reading” are treated as two separate sections.
|
Level
|
Test Sections (Test time)
|
|
N1
|
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) ▪ Reading (110min)
|
Listening (60min)
|
|
N2
|
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) ▪ Reading (105min)
|
Listening (50min)
|
|
N3
|
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) (30min)
|
Language Knowledge (Grammar) ▪ Reading (70min)
|
Listening (40min)
|
|
N4
|
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) (30min)
|
Language Knowledge (Grammar) ▪ Reading (60min)
|
Listening (35min)
|
|
N5
|
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) (25min)
|
Language Knowledge (Grammar) ▪ Reading (50min)
|
Listening (30min)
|
How is pass/fail determined?
<!--[endif]-->A determination of pass or fail
cannot be made if you do not take any section of the test. To pass the test,
examinees are required to have (1) the minimum acceptable total score (to be announced later) and (2) a minimum acceptable score in each Scoring Section (to
be announced later).
Scores of Each
Section in each level:
(With Levels N4 and
N5, “Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)” and “Reading” are graded as one
section.)
|
Level
|
Scoring
Sections
|
Range of Scores |
N1 N2 N3
|
Language
Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)
Reading
<!--[if !vml]--> <!--[endif]-->Listening
Total
Score
|
0~60
0~60
0~60
0~180
|
|
N4
N5
|
Language
Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) ▪ Reading
Listening
<!--[if !vml]--> <!--[endif]-->Total Score
|
0~120
0~60
0~180
|
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· To see the pattern of the Test
questions and answers, and to try solving some sample questions:
You can use the “New Japanese – Language
Proficiency Test Sample Questions” available on the Official Worldwide JLPT
Website: www.jlpt.jp The Sample Questions cover all question styles
for all levels.
JLPT
in Israel
