Tips for JLPT, Japanese Language Certification

2024/08/11

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a crucial step for those seeking to work or study in Japan.

This article explores the JLPT’s test composition, the advantages of obtaining certification, and the minimum level required for employment in Japan.

It also highlights the importance of developing strong conversation skills and introduces resources, such as official JLPT publications and online courses, that can help learners effectively prepare for the exam and improve their overall Japanese language proficiency.

What is JLPT?

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a standardized test that evaluates and certifies the Japanese language proficiency of non-native speakers.

It is conducted by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES). The test measures communicative competence required to perform tasks in various situations using Japanese.

Advantages of JLPT

Academic Recognition

• JLPT certificates are recognized as academic credit and graduation certification at many schools in Japan and abroad.
• Passing the JLPT can waive the Japanese-language test requirement on the accreditation exam for completing junior high school level education in Japan.

Immigration Benefits

• Passing JLPT N1 (15 points) or N2 (10 points) can earn points under Japan’s “Point-based Preferential Immigration Treatment System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals.”
• Individuals with a total of 70 points or higher receive preferential treatment during the immigration process.

Professional Qualifications

• JLPT N1 is a requirement for medical practitioners licensed overseas who want to take Japan’s national exams for various healthcare professions, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
• JLPT N1 is also required for overseas nursing school graduates who want to take Japan’s prefectural exams for assistant nurses.

International Agreements

• Under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, a JLPT certificate (approximately N5 or higher for Filipino candidates and N3 or higher for Vietnamese candidates) is required for nurse or caregiver candidates visiting Japan.

Societal Recognition

• Passing the JLPT demonstrates a certain level of Japanese language proficiency, which can be advantageous when seeking employment or pursuing further education in Japan or Japanese-related fields.
• JLPT certificates are widely recognized and respected by employers, educational institutions, and society as a whole.

Difficulty level of each JLPT level (with table)

The JLPT has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5, with N5 being the easiest and N1 the most difficult. The table below summarizes the linguistic competence required for each level:

Level	Summary of Linguistic Competence
N1	The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances, including logical and abstract writings, coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures spoken at natural speed.
N2	The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree, including written materials on general topics and orally presented materials such as conversations and news reports.
N3	The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree, including reading and understanding written materials with specific contents concerning everyday topics and following conversations in everyday situations.
N4	The ability to understand basic Japanese, including reading and understanding passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji, and listening and comprehending conversations encountered in daily life.
N5	The ability to understand some basic Japanese, including reading and understanding typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji, and listening and comprehending conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life and classroom situations.

The JLPT places importance not only on knowledge of Japanese vocabulary and grammar but also on the ability to use that knowledge in actual communication. The test measures comprehensive Japanese-language communicative competence through three elements: “Language Knowledge,” “Reading,” and “Listening.”

How to Obtain Certificates by Country

Japan

For those who took the test in Japan, there are two ways to obtain the Certificate of Result and Scores:

1. Applying through MyJLPT

• Available for examinees who applied for the test using MyJLPT for tests taken after the 1st test of 2012.
• Log in to MyJLPT, click on the “Test Result and Certificate Issuance” button, and complete the application procedure.

1. Applying with the Certificate Issuance ID

• For examinees who applied for the test by mail before 2019 or those who applied more than 10 tests ago through block registration by a group representative.
• Log in to MyJLPT for Certificate Application and click the “Application for Certificate Issuance” button to proceed with the procedure.

South Korea

The information provided in Korean seems to be about the test day procedures and requirements, such as:

• Bringing the required identification documents
• Arrival time and entry to the test venue
• Test schedule and breaks between sections
• Applying for test accommodations during the regular registration period

It does not appear to contain information specifically about obtaining certificates after the test.

Taiwan

For detailed information on obtaining JLPT certificates in Taiwan, please refer to the official website: https://www.jlpt.tw/index.aspx

The JLPT in Taiwan is administered by the Language Training and Testing Center (LTTC). The test consists of the following sections:

• N1 and N2: (1) Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading, (2) Listening
• N3 to N5: (1) Language Knowledge (Vocabulary), (2) Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading, (3) Listening

The test schedule and entry times vary by level, with N3 to N5 held in the morning and N1 and N2 in the afternoon. Examinees are advised to arrive early, follow the instructions of the proctors, and adhere to the rules and regulations outlined in the notice.

Other Countries

For examinees who took the test outside of Japan, the process to request a duplicate certificate involves:

1. Submitting a request to the Japan Foundation or the local host institution of the city where the test was taken.
2. Filling out the designated application form (requests by fax or in-person are not accepted).
3. Allowing 4-5 weeks for processing, as there may be many applications.
4. Certificates will be mailed to the specified address after issuance (cannot be picked up in person).

It’s important to note that duplicate certificates are issued free of charge, but this policy will change in April 2025, after which fees will be charged.

Test Composition

The JLPT consists of the following sections and test times based on the level.

Level	Test Sections 〈Test Time〉
N1	Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading 〈110min〉 Listening 〈55min〉
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) 〈25min〉 Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading 〈55min〉 Listening 〈35min〉
N5	Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) 〈20min〉 Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading 〈40min〉 Listening 〈30min〉

The test items in each section are categorized into different types according to the competence being measured.

Please refer to https://www.jlpt.jp/e/guideline/testsections.html for more information

Vocabulary

• Kanji reading: Assesses the ability to read and understand kanji in context (N1-N5)
• Orthography: Tests the ability to identify correct spellings and writings of words (N2-N5)
• Word formation: Evaluates knowledge of word formation rules and patterns (N2)
• Contextually-defined expressions: Measures understanding of words and phrases based on context (N1-N5)
• Paraphrases: Assesses the ability to identify words or phrases with similar meanings (N1-N5)
• Usage: Tests the understanding of how words are used in specific contexts (N1-N3)

Grammar

• Sentential grammar 1 (Selecting grammar form): Evaluates the ability to choose the correct grammatical form in a sentence (N1-N5)
• Sentential grammar 2 (Sentence composition): Assesses the ability to construct grammatically correct sentences (N1-N5)
• Text grammar: Measures understanding of grammar and structure in texts (N1-N5)

Reading

• Comprehension (Short passages): Tests understanding of short texts (N1-N5)
• Comprehension (Mid-size passages): Evaluates comprehension of medium-length passages (N1-N5)
• Comprehension (Long passages): Assesses understanding of extended texts (N1, N3)
• Integrated comprehension: Measures the ability to comprehend and integrate information from multiple sources (N1-N2)
• Thematic comprehension (Long passages): Tests understanding of themes and main ideas in long texts (N1-N2)
• Information retrieval: Evaluates the ability to locate specific information in texts (N1-N5)

Listening Section

• Task-based comprehension: Assesses the ability to understand and respond to spoken tasks or instructions (N1-N5)
• Comprehension of key points: Tests understanding of main points in spoken dialogues or passages (N1-N5)
• Comprehension of general outline: Measures the ability to grasp the overall meaning of spoken content (N1-N3)
• Verbal expressions: Evaluates understanding of common verbal expressions and phrases (N3-N5)
• Quick response: Assesses the ability to provide fast, accurate responses to spoken questions (N1-N5)
• Integrated comprehension: Tests understanding and integration of information from multiple spoken sources (N1-N2)

The specific purposes and types of test items may vary slightly depending on the level, with higher levels (N1-N2) generally involving more complex and integrated tasks compared to the lower levels (N4-N5).

The allocation of questions and time for each section also differs by level, as shown in the test composition table in the previous response.

JLPT Book List

Here is a list of official JLPT publications by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services:

• Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Practice Workbook Vol.2 (N1-N5)
• B5 size, 86-100 pages, 1 CD included
• Price: 700 yen (+ tax)
• Publisher: Bonjinsha Inc.

• Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Practice Workbook (N1-N5)
• B5 size, 89-101 pages, 1 CD included
• Price: 700 yen (+ tax)
• Publisher: Bonjinsha Inc.

• New Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guidebook: An Executive Summary and Sample Questions for N1, N2 and N3
• B5 size, 129 pages, 1 CD included
• Price: 900 yen (+ tax)
• Publisher: Bonjinsha Inc.
• ISBN: 978-4-89358-734-3

• New Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guidebook: An Executive Summary and Sample Questions for N4 and N5
• B5 size, 87 pages, 1 CD included
• Price: 800 yen (+ tax)
• Publisher: Bonjinsha Inc.
• ISBN: 978-4-89358-735-0

These publications are designed to help test-takers prepare for the JLPT by providing an overview of the test format, sample questions, and practice materials.

What JLPT Level is Required to Get a Job in Japan?

To work in Japan, you generally need to have at least JLPT N3 level or above. Achieving N2 or N1 can lead to higher salaries and better job prospects.

However, it’s important to note that the JLPT does not test conversation skills, which are crucial for working in Japan.

To improve your Japanese conversation skills, consider the following:

• Engage in regular conversation practice with native speakers or language exchange partners
• Immerse yourself in Japanese media, such as TV shows, movies, and podcasts
• Attend language meetups or join conversation clubs
• Take conversation-focused language courses

At Nihongo Online School, we offer tailored support to help students improve their Japanese conversation skills efficiently. Our unique curriculum combines:

1. Conversation Level Check: A 10-step conversation level test to assess your speaking ability
2. Lessons: Conversation-oriented lessons given by qualified and experienced teachers
3. Homework: Students are required to submit 2 hours of assignments for each lesson
4. Motivation Management: Lessons are designed to keep students focused based on their level and personality

Our 150-hour course, which includes 50 hours of online lessons and 100 hours of homework, can help students get through their first 150 hours of learning Japanese in 3-6 months. Upon completion, students receive a certificate that can be helpful when applying to study in Japan.

We also have a clear level structure that helps students set and achieve their goals, with conversation skill levels ranging from beginner to near-native proficiency. Our dedicated instructors provide extensive follow-up and support to ensure students stay motivated and make steady progress.

If you’re interested in improving your Japanese conversation skills to work in Japan, feel free to contact Nihongo Online School for a free Japanese level check and trial lesson.

We’ll work with you to create a customized learning plan that fits your needs and goals.