So this will be a general blog about the JLPT test and it wil be divided in in several parts.
Part 1 About the JLPT in general
What is JLPT?Different levels of JLPT.
What is in the test? (what are the subjects)
How can you prepare for it?
Part 2 application process
Are there any requirements to take it?How do you apply?
Where can you take them? (and how it works with the COVID regulations now)
How much does it cost?
Link to part 2.
Part 3 test day preparations / my experience
What do you need to bring?
What are the do's and don'ts?
How does it work at the location?
JLPT
What is JLPT?
To start of let's explain what the JLPT actually is. JLPT stands for: Japanese Language Proficiency test. This test is one of the most taken wolrdwide to measure your mastery of the Japanese language. You might have come across that some universities or companies in Japan state that you need at least N3 level Japanese or N2. And these are actually different levels of the JLPT test.
Just to show how well known this test is.
The test itself is managed and set up by the Japan foundation. And is held in many countries. But more of that later in section 2.
Just to show how well known this test is.
The test itself is managed and set up by the Japan foundation. And is held in many countries. But more of that later in section 2.
Different levels of JLPT.
The JLPT tests is divided over 5 different levels. Of which N5 is one of them. The lowest level is N5 and the highest is N1. So for most of us the chronological order of the numbers is backwords.
So i'll give a brief explanation of which capabilities are credited to each level starting from N5.
So i'll give a brief explanation of which capabilities are credited to each level starting from N5.
N5
You can read and understand basic sentences of Japanese in hiragan, katakana and basic kanji.
On top of that you can listen to and understand conversations about subjects that are usually encounterd in daily life. (For example in a classroom at the supermarket.) And you can get the needed in formation from slowly spoken conversations.
On top of that you can listen to and understand conversations about subjects that are usually encounterd in daily life. (For example in a classroom at the supermarket.) And you can get the needed in formation from slowly spoken conversations.
So you are able to understand some basic Japanese.
N4
You can read texts that you encounter in regularly in daily life. And you can read basic vocabulary and kanji.
Next to that you can listen to and understand conversations which regularly occur in daily life. And generaly understand them when they are spoken slowly.
Next to that you can listen to and understand conversations which regularly occur in daily life. And generaly understand them when they are spoken slowly.
You are able to understand basic Japanese.
N3
You can read texts with specific contents that are about daily topics. And also understand newspaper headlines (just headlinses though, the artile itself maybe not 100%). However you should be able to grasp some information from a written text with the vocabulary and grammar that you actually mastered.
And with this level you can follow everday conversations at near natural speed, and are also able to understand most of the content. On top of that you are also more used to the Japanese language that you can distinguish better who are involved ot mentioned in conversations. (not everything is explicitly mentioned).
You are able to understand Japanese in everyday situations to a certain degree.
N2
You are capable to understand written materials (articles, magazines, books, blogs etc.) and understand the meanning of said text. On top of that it is expected that you can also understand written content on specific topics and pick up on the writer's intention. (basically what is the informtion and what is the writer's opinion, or what doe he/she want to say?).
Next to that you have sufficient listening skills to follow conversations at natural speed. (for example newsreports, daily conversations, lectures etc.) And also conprehend its content and distinguish various relations among people.
Next to that you have sufficient listening skills to follow conversations at natural speed. (for example newsreports, daily conversations, lectures etc.) And also conprehend its content and distinguish various relations among people.
You are able to understand Japanese in everyday situations and in various circumsatnces to a certain degree.
N1
You are able to read and understand written text with complex and abstract writings on a variety of topics. (for example newspapers, critues, novels etc.) But also understand the structures and content of said texts.
As for listening comprehension. For N1 you should be able to undestand conversations at natural speed on a broad variety of subjcts. In other words you can basically understand in pretty much any envirognment.
You are able to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances.
And this is just a guideline of what are the expected capabilities credited to each level.
What is actualy on these tests?
Let's start of with what is not tested, and that is verbal skills. Your spoken Japanese is not tested in the JLPT exams. The tested subjects here are as followed:
- Language knowledge
- vocabulairy
- kanji reading (note down the correct hiragana reading)
- orthography (give the kanji for the underlined hiragana)
- contextually defined expressions
- paraphrases
- usage
- grammar
- Selecting correct grammar form
- sentence structure
- text grammar (fill in the blanks)
- reading
- short text comprehension
- medium text comprehension
- long text comprehension
- integrated comprehension
- thematic comprehension (long passage)
- information retrieval
- listening
- task based comprehension
- comprehension of key points
- comprehension of general outline
- verbal expressions
- quick response
- integrated comprehension
These are the subject divided by group and question types. Not all subject ar included for all tests. Some only apear at the lower levels (mostly N5 and N4) while others are only used with the higher levels N1 and N2.
These subjects ar also devided over 2 seperate test (language knowledge and listening) for N2 and N1.
For N5, N4 and N3 these test are divided over 3 seperate tests ( vocabulary, grammar and listening).
Each test has a time limit, and after that there are also short breaks in between tests.
For N5, N4 and N3 these test are divided over 3 seperate tests ( vocabulary, grammar and listening).
Each test has a time limit, and after that there are also short breaks in between tests.
But for additional information also check the official JLPT site. It has more info on the test, example questions among others.
JLPT official site
How can you prepare for the test?
For th various level there are different requirements about to what extend you need t have studied. At the end of the blog I will leave some links for detailed information. For this part I will provide a global outline for the N5 level because this is currently my main focus.
First things first, what is actually on the N5 test?
There are no official listings about what materials are actually used for the tests. Therefore I can not be 100% sure if I can list everything that might be covered, however I looked into a lot of lists and made a selection. This to give you somewhat of an idea what you need to cover.
Vocabulary
You will need an estimated vocabulary of basic japanese words (verbs,nouns, adjectives and counter words) which contains around 700-800 words.
There are various sites whith example questions to practice I will list them down below.
But for some of my friends I made a list on a word site to study the words. Sadly not everyone will be able to use these cause the meaning of the words are listed in Dutch. For that I will apologise in advance. But you could still look up the words and see what is listed on them. And maybe find some you haven't seen or heard before.
There are various sites whith example questions to practice I will list them down below.
But for some of my friends I made a list on a word site to study the words. Sadly not everyone will be able to use these cause the meaning of the words are listed in Dutch. For that I will apologise in advance. But you could still look up the words and see what is listed on them. And maybe find some you haven't seen or heard before.
Vocabulary word test
Practice material
The last one can be used to try practice questions of other sections as well.
Kanji
For kanji you are expected to study the reading and meaning of the most basic kanji. (around 80 - 100). With all the kanji combined that ever appeared on a test, it came around 100.
Practice material
Kanji exercises 2
Grammar
For the grammar part you need to grasp the use of particles and grammatical structures.
The particles are as followed:
- は
- の
- か
- へ
- に
- が
- と
- で
- も
- を
- から
- まで
- や
- ので
- けど
- でも
- よ
- ね
Some of these have multiple uses so keep that in mind.
For grammatical structures only the most basic types are required. Verb conjugation is a important part which most people struggle with. I advise to practice those, because you might need them.
Practice material
This site also gives a walkthough with sample questions and answers. Might come in handy for reference.
A grammar list
Reading
All of the above skills are combined in the reading tests. The JLPT has a certain type of questions formation which might be handy to practice before the test. This skill is better mestered through a lot of practice.
Though not all kanji are used in texts, and some of them still give furigana. You do need to be able to read hiragana and katakana! All the questions and answers are eiter written as numbers or in hiragana/katakana. There is no other language used on the test besides Japanese.
Practice material
Reading material
Various
Listening comprehension is another skill that is only mastered by practice. So I wil list some sites below with practice material so you can:
- get used to the type of questions
- get familiar with the speed/type of speech
- train how to aquire the right information for the questions
And hopefully you will be able to gain enough experience an dcnfidence for the N5 test1
Practice material
No sample question but conversations. These are good for standard phrases and expressions.
Mock tests
These are example test with all of the subject combined. These are good to test the set time limit for each test as well.
For others who would like extra materials theres are some books that are recommended that you could buy. This is totally optional, but I thought I should list them in case anyone is interested. These are just my humble opinion. If you find any other methods or books that work for you be free to use them.
A series I recommend and have used myself (for higher levels, but they also have N5 books)
Speed master (スピードマスター)
They have books for reading, grammar, vocabulary and listening.
This is a typical speedmaster cover
Another good series is the matome series. They have books on any level so look for the one corresponding to your desrided test level. They usually have a simular design and/or characters.
This book might come in handy if you want to get more familiar with standard expressions used in Japanese.
These books are ideal to master kana and kanji.
Books with practice tests
Note that these are best used when you have already studied a decent amount of the material. Because they usually only have the questions and answers, no explanations.
Official Japan foundation JLPT test books
These books are ideal to master kana and kanji.
Books with practice tests
Note that these are best used when you have already studied a decent amount of the material. Because they usually only have the questions and answers, no explanations.
Official Japan foundation JLPT test books
Of the next series I have used one for the N1 one level. And found it quite neat to test your knowledge and skils. And they now also have a N4/5 level.
And some another mock test books.
Or if I want a title that is not easily purchased in a foreign country, white rabbit express provides a proxy service.
So I hope is have provided you with enough information and materials to help you on your way. Good look with your studies and hopefully I will see you for part 2 of the JLPT series.
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