There are various tests to evaluate the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers who study Japanese. Among them, the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the largest and most famous in Japan. It is organized by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (formerly Association of International Education, Japan).

JLTP is the test evaluating and certifying the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers. Any non-native speaker can take the JLTP, regardless nationality, gender and age. In case of the test in December 2023, the number of examinees is 663,295 and successful examinees are 234,754. It is the test that 35.5% of the examinees passed. It takes place twice a year, July and December. (Usually, the first Sunday in July and December.) There are 5 proficiency levels, N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. N1 is the most difficult and N5 is the easiest.

A summary of linguistic competence required for each level is below.

N1: The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances.

–  Can negotiate in Japanese  –  Can write reports in Japanese

–  Can discuss in Japanese  –  Get an advantage of promotion in a company

–  Get requirements to take Japan’s national exams for medical practitioners

N2: The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree.

–  It can be a hiring standard of a regular employee or a contract employee

–  Can communicate in business (brief meetings or adjustment schedules)

–  Can understand the flow such as meeting

N3: The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree.

–  Can tell your feelings

–  Can work which need communication skill such as restaurants, convenience stores and care work

N4: The ability to understand basic Japanese.

–  Can understand the easy job-direction   –  Can talk about your hobby, plan and food

–  Can tell your schedule and understand other’s schedule

–  It is needed to get the status of resident “Specified skills visa”

N5: The ability to understand some basic Japanese.

–  Can do greeting, shopping and self-introduction

JLTP is the test to evaluate not only examinees’ knowledge but also the communication skill with using the knowledge. A part of the content of the test is knowledge of language (letters, vocabularies and grammars). The other part to evaluate communication skills in Japanese is reading and listening. It is a multiple-choice test. Examinees choose a correct answer in 3 or 4 choices and fill out the circle with a pencil. As of now, there are no essay tests, writing tests and interview tests. The total scores of all levels are 180 points. The passing score is different from each level, but you can pass any level if you get over 100 scores. The parts of letters, vocabulary and grammar is 60 points, reading is 60 points and listening is 60 points. You should get over 19 points to pass any parts. But you cannot pass it if you get the max 120 points of knowledge and reading and get 0 points of listening. Be careful.

The biggest advantage to passing the JLPT is to improve your chance of finding and changing jobs. If you have enough Japanese proficiency, it is hard to show it without any certificate. If you pass the JLPT, you can emphasize your Japanese using skill. You also write what you passed N1 or N2 on your resume and show companies your ability objectively. If you take N2 of JLPT and pass it, you can fulfill the hiring requirements that many companies have.

Also, more people take JLTP to promote or increase work they can do after joining the company. In Japanese companies, you can take advantage of your JLPT certificate, regardless of the genre of the company. The demand has increased year by year.

People who are a Highly Skilled professionals can receive preferential treatment for immigration services, so getting N1 or N2 on the JLPT is useful. 70 points are needed to be a Highly Skilled Professional. If you have N1, you can get 15 points. Having N2, you can do 10 points.

JLPT is sometimes needed as requirements for taking a residence status or national exams. For example, when you take national exams in the medical field such as doctor, passing N1 is required. Also, over N4 is required to get a status of residence of SSW which started from 2019.

Some graduate schools, universities and technical schools ask students to pass the JLPT. It depends on each school, it is estimated that graduate school requires N1, university requires over N2 and technical school requires over N3.

The certificate of JLPT can show people your Japanese proficiency. We recommend you take it.

The JLPT is held in big cities of all prefectures in Japan and in over 90 countries outside of Japan. When you apply for it, you have to tell your home address. The location you take it is usually close to where you live. You should check the location once you receive your admission ticket since the venue is large and there are many examinees.

If you take it in foreign country, you should apply to the testing organization in each country. Please be aware that if the exam is only held once a year, you may not be able to take all levels.

You should apply for it in Japan on the Internet. We applied for it after registering “MY JLPT” on the internet. You should write down your ID and password since MY JLPT is used every time you apply. Please apply from this website (https://info.jees-jlpt.jp/). The fee is 7,500 yen (tax included). We can make payment with a credit card, by bank transfer or from a convenience store.

If you are taking the exam overseas, the application process varies depending on the country. Please, visit the website (https://www.jlpt.jp/application/overseas_list.html ).

The best advantage is “you can study in an efficient way.” JLPT has a trend of the questions and the contents. TCJ teachers know the trends and teach Japanese to learners. So, learners can study for JLPT efficiently. Many students tried to study by themselves, but they did not get a good score and entered TCJ. When studying by yourself, it can be hard to know what you should and should not do to study for JLPT. At TCJ, we focus on the key points of the exam so that you can understand how to answer the questions.

The second advantage is that “you can ask questions.” Whether it is an online lesson or a face-to-face lesson in a classroom, the teacher will never just give you one-sided explanations. You can solve any problems you do not understand on the spot by asking questions, answering questions, and making example sentences. It is important to understand the reason for your mistake when you choose a wrong answer. TCJ teachers can tell you the reasons.

The third advantage is that “we support learners in continuing to study for JLPT.” It is really hard to continue studying Japanese while working and living abroad. We have various ideas to help students “continue” to study so that they can achieve their goals. You can choose a class that suits your lifestyle such as a class that learners study for JLPT and study to speak Japanese in the mornings five days a week, and a class that learners concentrate on only studying for JLPT once a week in the evenings after work. Learners can take our lessons from anywhere since we have online lessons and classroom lessons at the same time. We have many courses to suit each level from N5 to N1. Our staff and instructors work together to create an environment where each and every learner can continue their studies.

JLPT is a beneficial certificate. First, apply to take the test. Then, get started to study for it right away. TCJ will be here for learners from the very first step in their JLPT preparation.

日本語能力試験JLPTサイト: JLPT website（ https://www.jlpt.jp/）