about jlpt

7/29/2019 About JLPT

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The New Japanese-LanguageProficiency Test (JLPT)


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Contents

What sort of testis the JLPT?

4 key points of the new JLPT

New test FAQs

More questions?


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The test evaluates and certifies Japanese-

language proficiency of non-native speakers.

It has over 20 years ofhistory since itsestablishment in 1984.

The test has been jointly conducted by the

Japan Foundation and Japan EducationalExchanges and Services (JEES).

What sort of test is the JLPT?


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Why has theJLPT been revised?

The number of Japanese-language learners hasincreased.

Their reasons for learning and using the language have

become more diverse.

The old JLPT until 2009was reviewed and revised.

It became the new JLPT from 2010.


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1. Increased focus on communicative competence

2. The number of levels was increased to 5;

examinees can select a more suitable level

3. The scoring method was revised to ensure

more accurate measurement of Japanese-language proficiency

4. What you can do in Japanese is easily visualized

4 key points of the new JLPT


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1 Increased focus on communicative

competence

Knowledge of the Japanese language:

How much an applicant knows about the Japanese language,

including vocabulary and grammarb. Competence:

How well an applicant makes use of language knowledgein practical communication

Japanese-language proficiencythat the new JLPT measures

Language Knowledge(Vocabulary/Grammar)

Language Knowledge

(Vocabulary/Grammar) Reading

Reading Listening

Listening

Measured through 3 test sections


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2 The number of levels was increased to 5;

examinees can select a more suitable level

Level Summary of Linguistic Competence Requiredfor Each Level

N1 The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of

circumstances

N2 The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday

situations and in a variety of circumstances to a certain

degree

N3 The ability to understand Japanese used in everydaysituations to a certain degree

N4 The ability to understand basic Japanese

N5 The ability to understand some basic Japanese


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Level Corresponding Levels of New and Old Tests

N1

Approximately the same level as the old Level 1 test,

but designed to measure slightly more advanced

abilities

N2 Approximately the same level as the old Level 2 test

N3 Positioned at a level bridging the old Level 2 and

Level 3 tests



Newly established

Th i h d i d


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The scoring method was revised toensure

more accurate measurement of

Japanese-language proficiencyOld JLPT scores: Raw scores

Calculated by the number of correctly answered questions

New JLPT scores: Scaled scores

The same competency is given the same number of pointsin each test The same scale is always used to calculate scores for the

same-level test

The highest degree of fairness can bemaintained,

as scaled scores never fluctuate based on thedifficulty level of tests

Scaled scores can indicate anapplicant'sproficiency more accurately than raw scores do


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Example: A-sans test results in raw scores and

scaled scores

A-san took N2 level tests in July as well as in December.Below are his Listening test results.

N2 Listening July December More difficultthan July test)

The number of correctlyanswered questions 10out of 20 10out of20

Score per item X Number ofcorrectly answered questions

Raw scores

2 x 10 20

2 x 10 20

Scaled scores 20 25

Not sure ifA-sanslistening

abilityimproved.

Clear thatA-sanslistening

abilityimproved.

The data shown is only an example to explain the new JLPT scoring system,

not for actual score calculation.

Both

numbers are

the same, 10.


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4 What you can do in Japanese is easilyvisualized

Listening I can understand the general content when I hear

announcements at school, work or public places.

Speaking I can speak in detail of my hopes and experienceat interviews such as for a job or part-time work.

Reading I can understand the content of newspaper ormagazine articles about topics I am interested in.

Writing I can write letters or emails to express myemotions such as appreciation or apology.

Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Can-do List

(tentative name) will be released by March 2011.

Sample


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We can better understand thetest results in terms ofpractical Japanese-language use.

Test result

Passed N?

JLPT Can-do List

I see. Those who passed the

N ? test THOUGHT they could

do these activities with the

Japanese language in study,work and daily life.

With the Japanese-Language Proficiency TestCan-do list,


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Level Test Sections and Test Times

N1 Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) Reading110 min

Listening

60 min

N2Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) Reading

105 minListening50 min

N3 Language Knowledge(Vocabulary)

30 min

Language Knowledge (Grammar)Reading

70 min

Listening40 min

N4 Language Knowledge(Vocabulary)30 min


60 min

Listening35 min

N5 Language Knowledge(Vocabulary)

25 min


50 min

Listening30 min

Q How will the test sections and times change?

New test FAQs


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Q How should I decide which test level to take?

A - See the table Summary of Linguistic

Competence Required for Each Level

- See the table Corresponding Levels of New

and Old Tests - See the book Nihongo Nouryoku ShikenMondairei-Shuu

(New Japanese-Language ProficiencyTest Sample Questions) on our official

website


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Q How can I receive test results?

Scores are indicated by scaled scores.

Listening section proportion increased from 1:4 to 1:3.

Level Scoring Sections Range of

Scores

N1

N2

N3

Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)

Reading

Listening

60

60

60

Total Score 180

N4

N5

Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) Reading

Listening

120

60

Total Score 180


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In test In test results

Level Test Sections Scoring Sections Range ofscores

N1

N2

Language Knowledge

(Vocabulary/Grammar) Reading

Language Knowledge

(Vocabulary/Grammar)0~60

Reading 0~60

Listening Listening0~60

N3 Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) Language Knowledge(Vocabulary/Grammar)

0~60

Language Knowledge (Grammar) Reading

Reading 0~60

Listening Listening 0~60

N4

N5

Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) Language Knowledge(Vocabulary/Grammar)

Reading

0~120

Language Knowledge (Grammar) Reading

Listening Listening 0~60

Corresponding Sections


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Q How is pass or fail determined?

Old JLPT New JLPT

Total Score

Level 1: more than 70Level 2-4: more than

60

total score needs to be at or above the point requiredfor passing

score in each scoring section needs to be at or abovethe minimum point required for passing

A You need to take all test sections. You need to fulfill both and below.

Failure to exceed theminimum point for any scoring section will result

in a determination of fail for the entire test, even if your total score is

above the minimum acceptable total score.

Minimum acceptable scores for thetotal and for each scoring section

will be announced in September 2010 for N1, N2 and N3. For N4 and N5,

they will be announced in March 2011.


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Q Can I pass by studying the way I have been

doing? Should I change the way I study?

A The way you have been studying will still work.

Please note that the new JLPT places importancenot only on knowledge of the Japanese languagebut also on competence in using the knowledge

in practical communication.

Make use of Mondairei-Shuu.These sample questions cover all question stylesat all levels, and they will help you prepare for the test.


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Q When will the new test be held?

A Twice a year, in July and December. *Certain countries/areas will only offer the testin December and not in July.

In 2010, the test dates are July 4th andDecember 5th.

*TheJuly 2010 test includes N1, N2 and N3

only.

*From the December 2010 test onwards, all five

levels will be included.


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Q Where is the test administered outside

Japan ?

A See List of Overseas Test Site Cities and LocalHost Institutions on our official website.

You can find cities and countries/areas offering

the test.

You can also see if local host institutions

offer the test in July and/or December.


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JLPT official website welcomes you! http://www.jlpt.jp/e/

Lots of information, such as theJLPT Guidebook, samplequestions, Listening audio samples, FAQs and more are waiting

for you. Send your inquiries in Japanese or

English from the inquiry page ofthe official website.

*Inquiries regarding the JLPT outside Japan only.

For inquiries on JLPT administration in Japan, please call JEES,

the JLPT administrator in Japan.

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