JLPT - Japanese Language Proficiency Test

[Starry Starry Fright]

This is just an extra challenge for those of you who are serious about Japanese. If you ever plan to live, work or go to school in Japan, you will have to take this test at some point in your life.

The JLPT is an official test of a non-Native Japanese speaker's fluency and language abilities, and there are five different levels that you can achieve; N1 is the highest level and N5 is the lowest. In order to obtain a permanent resident status, citizenship, employment in Japan or admission to a Japanese school (or admission to a University outside of Japan in the field of Japanese), you must have JLPT certification.

I noticed, when browsing through your roll calls, that many of you do intend to move to Japan or work there, so I thought you should know about this test. I myself plan to take it in the next few years (for those of you who don't know, I am a computer science major, and having knowledge of Japanese can really help one to land a job in the tech industry). Some of you may want to consider taking it too. The official web-page is here:

http://www.jlpt.jp/e/

Note that there are very few testing locations in North America (Fortunately for me, my university is one of the only three test sites in Canada), so there may not be a test center close to you.

If you are considering taking this test, remember that it is not something to be taken lightly. The Japan Foundation estimates that it takes 150 hours of study to pass the N5 (the lowest certification) IF YOU SPEAK ANOTHER ASIAN LANGUAGE. If you are a native English speaker the hours of study required are significantly higher. You can browse through some of the example questions and see what you think.

So, is there anyone here that is interested in taking this test? Let me know!  

[Kai Shi]

Haven't attempted one of these yet though I really should have. It's a good way to buckle down on the studying and really strive for a goal. I wonder if the new 5 levels even out the jump from level 3 to level 2.

Have you taken one of these Starry?  

[Starry Starry Fright]

Kai Shi

Haven't attempted one of these yet though I really should have. It's a good way to buckle down on the studying and really strive for a goal. I wonder if the new 5 levels even out the jump from level 3 to level 2.

Have you taken one of these Starry?

Not yet, but I'm planning to take the N5 in December. I've heard that adding the fifth level was pretty effective at evening out that gap, and from what I can see, the N5 isn't difficult at all.  

[flightyPrick]

I plan on taking it in the following year because sometime next year I will be moving to Japan. (Hokkaido! heart )

The JLPT intimidates me... XD  

[Starry Starry Fright]

Cascade-kun

I plan on taking it in the following year because sometime next year I will be moving to Japan. (Hokkaido! heart )

The JLPT intimidates me... XD

You might be interested in this stuff then. All of these flashcard packs are tailored especially for the JLPT. A friend of mine just bought the N5/N4 level kanji set and they're absolutely fantastic.  

[flightyPrick]

Starry Starry Fright

Cascade-kun

I plan on taking it in the following year because sometime next year I will be moving to Japan. (Hokkaido! heart )

The JLPT intimidates me... XD

You might be interested in this stuff then. All of these flashcard packs are tailored especially for the JLPT. A friend of mine just bought the N5/N4 level kanji set and they're absolutely fantastic.

Thankies~! But I have to wait until the summer when I turn 16, get a job, get myself some money, and buy these things. sweatdrop  

[Ryuondo]

I have several friends that took them. I think one took the 2 and the rest the 3. I don't know how they did. I'm going to be studying for it this semester while I tutor.  

[Starry Starry Fright]

Registration for this year's Edmonton JLPT exams opens on September 1st... looks like I'll be writing the N5 on December 4th. Wish me luck, you guys. sweatdrop  

[IVIalice]

I am far from doing so, but I do plan to take at least up to n3 in the JLPT exams.
Oddly enough though I am torn on whether I would live in Japan. At first I thought it would be sweet, but as I learn more and more about culture and expectation I am not so sure yet if it would be right for me permanently. My plan is to study in or just visit Japan for however long then make my decision. My Japanese class teacher has passed N3 and she offered me this site (or at least this is the google result of what she told me). http://www.tanos.co.uk/jlpt/jlpt5/ I think this covers the need to know. Hope it helps!