Japanese Language Proficiency Test 208419 222566224 2008-06-30T01:01:01Z 203.84.160.67 /* External links */ The {{nihongo|'''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.<ref name="JF">{{cite web | url = http://momo.jpf.go.jp/jlpt/e/about_e.html | title = What is the JLPT like? | publisher = Japan Foundation | accessmonthday = [[October 8]] | accessyear = [[2006]] }}</ref> ==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.<ref name="JLPT Interim Report">{{cite web | url = http://www.jees.or.jp/jlpt/pdf/20080525_jlpt_kaitei_report_pre01.pdf | title = 第2回 日本語能力試験改訂 中間報告 | publisher = [[Japan Foundation]] | date = [[2008-05-25]] | accessdate = 2008-06-13 }} {{ja icon}}</ref> 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.<ref name="EJU">{{cite web | url = http://www.jasso.go.jp/eju/whats_eju_e.html | title = What is EJU? | publisher = Japan Student Services Organisation | accessmonthday = [[May 30]] | accessyear = [[2006]] }}</ref> 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.<ref>JEES Lv3&4, 2005, pages 88,99</ref> ==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.<ref>Guidelines, page 1</ref><ref>JEES Lv 1&2, 2005, page 122</ref> ==Content== The content of the test is determined by the {{nihongo|'''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. {| class="wikitable" |+ '''Test content and requirements summary''' |- !Level !Kanji !Vocabulary !Listening !Hours of Study !Pass Mark |- |4 |~100 (103) |~800 (728) |Beginner |~150 !rowspan="3"|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 !rowspan="1"|70% |} <sub>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.<ref> Test Content, Foreword</ref></sub> ==Exam sections== =====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. =====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. =====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]]. ====Duration of answering time for each section==== {| class="wikitable" | style="background:#dddddd; color:black; font-weight:bold; padding: 5px;" | Level || style="background:#dddddd;color:black;font-weight:bold; padding: 5px;" | Kanji and Vocabulary || style="background:#dddddd;color:black; font-weight:bold; padding: 5px;" | Listening Comprehension || style="background:#dddddd;color:black; font-weight:bold; padding: 5px;" | Reading Comprehension and Grammar || style="background:#dddddd;color:black; font-weight:bold; padding: 5px;" | Total |- style="background:#eeeeee; color:black padding: 3px;" | 4 || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 25 min || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 25 min || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 50 min || 100 min |-style="background:#eeeeee; color:black; padding: 3px;" | 3 || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 35 min || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 35 min || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 70 min || 140 min |-style="background:#eeeeee; color:black; padding: 3px;" | 2 || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 35 min || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 40 min || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 70 min || 145 min |-style="background:#eeeeee; color:black; padding: 3px;" | 1 || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 45 min || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 45 min || style="background:#eeeeee;color:black; padding: 3px;" | 90 min || 180 min |} ==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.<ref>JEES Lv 1&2, 2005, page 122</ref> [[Image:JlptCertificateOfProficiency.jpg|thumb|right|150px|JLPT Certificate of Proficiency]] ==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.<ref>JEES Lv 1&2, 2005, page 122</ref> ====Results of the 2005 JLPT==== {| class="wikitable" |+ 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% |} {| class="wikitable" |+ 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% |}<ref>JEES Lv 1&2, 2005, page 124</ref> ==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. <ref name="JLPT Interim Report" /> ==See also== *[[ILR scale]] *[[Kanji kentei]] *[[Business Japanese Proficiency Test]] *[[J-Test]] ==Footnotes== <small><references /></small> ==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 * [http://www.jpf.org.au/03_language/jlpt/guidelines_english.pdf] JEES & The Japan Foundation, ''The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (Guidelines)'', 2006 ==External links== *[http://nihongo.webng.com Eric's Kanji Page ] Simple and fun way to pass the JLPT *[http://www.jees.or.jp/jlpt/en/index.htm JEES Japanese Language Proficiency Test home page] *[http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/Download.htm MLC School's Download Page] Past JLPT exam papers and related information. *[http://jlpt.info Help center for JLPT learners] Worldwide association of JLPT learners. *[http://www.manythings.org/japanese/jlpt/ Manythings Japanese] Complete lists of JLPT vocabulary with English translation downloads. *[http://www.jlptstudy.com/ JLPT Study Page] Vocabulary, Kanji, Expression and Grammar lists for JLPT Levels 2, 3, & 4 *[http://momo.jpf.go.jp/jlpt/e/test_info_e.html JLPT CommunicationSquare] The Japan Foundation's JLPT Page in English *[http://www.thejapanesepage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10138 TheJapanesepage.Com &bull; forums - News report about the changes in JLPT] *[http://www.nihongoperapera.com/passing-jlpt-2kyuu-supermemo.html Study Guide for the JLPT2] How one person passed the JLPT2 by self study. 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