Japanese Language Proficiency Test

JLPT Requirements

Level	Kanji	Words	Conversation	Hours of study
4	~100	~800	Simple	~150
3	~300	~1,500	Everyday	~300
2	~1000	~6,000	Near-native	~600
1	~2000	~10,000	Native	~900

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (or simply JLPT), is a standardized test to validate a person's Japanese language proficiency (listening, reading, and writing). It was created in 1984, in response to growing demand for standardized Japanese language certification for primarily non-native speakers. Up until 2003 it was one of the requirements for entry by foreigners into Japanese Universities. The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is now used for this purpose.

The JLPT is offered by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) inside of Japan, and the Japan Foundation outside of Japan. As of 2001, the JLPT was offered in 37 countries, including Japan. Of the 227,593 examinees, 46.8%, or 106,613 were certified for their respective level.

The test itself has four levels of difficulty, ranging from level one (native speaking level) to level four (reached after approximately 150 hours of study).

The test takes place every first Sunday in December. The next test will be on December the 5th 2004.

TODO: What is each level approximately equivalent to? Is achieving level 1 equivalent to having completed Japanese high school?

See also

Foreign Service Level 3 Kanji kentei

External links

• JEES Japanese Language Proficiency Test Homepage
• The JLPT Kanji Project provides tools to help students learn kanji and vocabulary for the JLPT
• Japanese Language Proficiency Test Communication Square (English)
• About the Japanese Language Proficiency Test