Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) / 日本語能力試験

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has been conducted by the Japan Foundation (国際交流基金) and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (日本国際教育支援協会) since 1984. This test has gain the popularity among the Japanese language learner as a reliable means of evaluating and certifying the Japanese proficiency for non-native speakers. This test conducted in 238 cities in 62 countries around the word. At the beginning, in 1984 there were approximately 7,000 students appear for the test worldwide. In 2011, there were as many as 610,000 students appear for the test around the globe.

Till 2008 the test was offered once in a year, but from 2009 the test was offered twice in a year. There were 4 levels in the test (Level 1:１級, Level 2:２級, Level 3:３級, Level 4:４級). Level 1 being the advanced level and level 4 being the entry level, broadly test is divided in three sections Vocabulary / Grammar (文字・語彙・文法), Reading (読解), Listening (聴解).

In 2010 the test structure has been changed and one new level introduced in the test N5. Now the test has 5 levels, N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. 

Today students appear for JLPT for various reasons, including admission to advanced education in Japanese universities, finding employment in Japan and overseas and testing one's own abilities.

With the increasing popularity of this exam, many institutes has come up with specialize courses for different levels.  Publishers offering range of books for all the levels, for vocabulary / grammar, reading and listening. Websites are offering free course material to download; discussion forums are available to discuss the language problems.

One can easily clear this exam with focused approach and dedication. Regular study with strategic planning can help the students to clear all the levels easily.

 

JLPT sample questions (日本語能力試験の問題例)

Try sample questions*

JLPT N1: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n1.html
JLPT N2: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n2.html
JLPT N3: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n3.html
JLPT N4: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n4.html
JLPT N5: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n5.html

 

Download sample questions*

 

Level	Language Knowledge (言語知識) -Vocabulary / Grammar（文字・語彙・文法）・Listening (読解)			Listening 聴解
	Vocabulary / Grammar 文字・語彙	Grammar 文法	Reading 読解
N1	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here
N2	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here

 

Level	Language Knowledge 言語知識	Language Knowledge (言語知識)（文法）・読解		Listening 聴解
	Vocabulary（文字・語彙）	Grammar 文法	Reading 読解
N3	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here
N4	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here
N5	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here

 

For more details please visit The Official Worldwide JLPT - Japanese Language Proficiency Test Website operated by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services.

 

 

* Source: JLPT website