Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering the JLPT Test in Japan

Are you looking to prepare and ace the JLPT test in Japan? Well, then, you are at the right place. The JLPT is a certification of the Japanese language skills of non-native speakers.  The JLPT test in Japan is your ladder to achieve academic and professional heights within the country and beyond.

This article will be your comprehensive guide to the JLPT test in Japan, consisting of everything from the application process and fee structure to understanding your JLPT scores, along with suggesting you with good preparation books. Rest assured, we've got you covered! 

What is the JLPT?

The well-known Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a proficiency test that gauges your competence in Japanese at various levels. JLPT test in Japan is held twice a year, in the months of July and December. So, make sure you are prepared well before these dates in  2024:

• 7th July 2024
• 1st December 2024

This proficiency test in Japanese caters to a diverse range of learners with five levels, from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced). JLPT test in Japan is widely recognized by educational institutions and employers in Japan. So, kickstart your Japanese journey by applying today.

Navigating the JLPT Application - Japan

The JLPT application Japan is pretty straightforward. You just need to follow these steps, and you're good to go!

• Create a MyJLPT account here
• Choose your preferred language from the top right corner
• Pick the type of your application
• Read the terms and conditions and then click on agree
• Add all your details  and make sure to double-check before hitting confirm
• You should then receive a confirmation email in your inbox

After checking the email:

• Log in to your MyJLPT account
• Click on your examination application
• Pick your application type
• Carefully sign the privacy policy agreement
• Choose your level and fill in all the necessary details
• Pick your payment type
• Confirm your information

Your application will then be completed after all of your information is confirmed. And there you go! You have successfully applied for the test. 

What does the test consist of?

Now that you have officially kick-started your journey to master this language, let's look at your proficiency test Japanese.

The JLPT test in Japan measures your proficiency in four key areas: grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and listening. Each level of the test focuses on a specific level of competency in these areas. Have a look at the different JLPT levels:

• N5 (Beginner): Understand and use basic Japanese for everyday situations.
• N4 (Elementary): Understand and use typical Japanese for everyday communication.
• N3 (Intermediate): Understand the main points of standard materials on familiar topics and situations.
• N2 (Upper Intermediate): Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
• N1 (Advanced): Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning.

It uses a multiple-choice format and has three sections:

• Language Knowledge – includes vocabulary, grammar, and kanji
• Reading Comprehension
• Listening Comprehension

Language Knowledge and Reading Comprehension are grouped into one section for N1 and N2. The test is carried out following the order presented above.

How much does it cost?

The application fee varies depending on the level you're taking. As of 2024, the N1 and N2 levels cost ¥7,500 while the N3, N4, and N5 Levels cost ¥6,500.

Scaled Scores

Raw scores add the correct answers. That can be misleading because these answers change with test difficulty. Thus, if two examinees have the same ability to take different tests, whose level of ease varies, they will receive different scores. This is accomplished by employing a common scale in scaled score.

Method of Calculation: Scaled scores are calculated using the Item Response Theory (IRT), although it also uses statistics. Scaled scores, unlike raw scores, look at how the person is doing overall or in terms of the pattern of responses given by the examinee. For example,

Consider two people. One gets seven out of ten questions right, and another answers seven correctly but differently arranged. In the raw score system, both would have had equal marks, but using a scaled score system may result in different marks depending on the difficulty and pattern of questions answered correctly.

This way, even when the number of correct answers remains constant, the results give a perfect picture of individuals' proficiency levels. Hence, using the scaled score system ensures that scores are an actual reflection of competence. They are also fair and reliable.