If you’ve heard of JLPT, then there’s a high chance that you’re a student of Japanese language and culture. The test comes in five levels, and whether your goal in learning the language is to work as a professional in Japan, or to simply just enjoy your favorite anime without subtitles, one of those levels is suited to your current skill level. Should you concern yourself with taking all five tests, or is it okay to skip certain levels?
What are some reasons why you should take JLPT N4? N4 is the second easiest difficulty for JLPT. It is not required that you pass it to go on to harder JLPT levels, but there are some reasons why you should take it:
- You can gauge your current Japanese-language skill
- Master basic Japanese learned in a classroom
- Broaden your understanding of Japanese culture
- Prepare for higher JLPT levels
- Commit 300 kanji and 1500 vocabulary words to retainable knowledge
- Create transferrable study habits
- Just for fun!
Much easier than the notorious JLPT N1, the test at its N4 level is the final step before the difficulty starts to really ramp up. Those who are considering which JLPT level to test in will carefully need to consider their current skill level before making a decision. The following paragraphs are going to give you seven reasons why JLPT N4 may be right for you, and seven reasons why you might just want to skip it.
Is JLPT N4 Worth It?
The Japanese-language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is divided into five levels of difficulty. N5-N4 are the easiest levels that focus on a basic understanding of Japanese one would learn in a class. N2 and N1 are the hardest levels that measure a broad understanding of the language used in a wide range of scenes in day-to-day life. N3 is a medium difficulty level that bridges the two thresholds.
With all of these levels to choose from, why would someone settle at JLPT N4? Doesn’t it make more sense to start at N5, and move on to N3 as the difficulty ramps up? What is the actual level of competence required to be successful in taking JLPT N4? The following points should help illustrate why you may want to consider JLPT N4 the next time the test is available.
1. It Serves as a Gauge for Your Japanese-Language Skills
A lot of business-minded individuals won’t find themselves going after anything easier than JLPT N2 certification. But there is still a significant advantage of taking JLPT N4. Students who have accomplished about 250 to 400 hours of Japanese-language study find JLPT N4 as an excellent measuring stick for their competency. The materials covered on the test suits their skill level well, and using JLPT’s scoring system helps them determine where they’re at in their learning.
For example, if they score less than 30 in a particular category, then they have a good idea of where to target their future studies. Even if they passed the section, they could still pinpoint exactly what they need to work on. If they score above a 30 in all sections, then their weakness is in the category they scored lowest in. JLPT N4 is still considered easy, but if that’s where your current skill level is, then your score helps you understand precisely what your current strengths and weaknesses are.
2. Establish a Mastery of Basic Japanese
As we stated above, JLPT N3 is the bridge difficulty test that connects the easy levels and challenging levels. JLPT N4 measures an individual’s ability to understand basic Japanese. If you pass JLPT N4, then you’re able to read and comprehend passages on familiar topics written in basic kanji and vocabulary. You can also listen to and understand conversations that are encountered in daily life while following their context. However, this is all provided that they are spoken slowly, of course.
Passing JLPT N4 is not a simple accomplishment to be taken lightly. If you find yourself in this category, you’ve already mastered the basics of the Japanese language, and the locals will look on you with a higher level of respect than that of non-natives who cannot speak the language. JLPT N4 is your gateway to the tough stuff, and it puts you on a path to being on a fluency level of a native speaker.
3. Broaden Your Understanding of Japanese Culture
The truth is, Japanese culture and language are interdependent. Understanding their language gives you insight into their culture and vice versa. An example of this can be found in expressions of hierarchy. The way conversation partners interact through speech depends upon the relationship between the two. This is only one example in a vast pool of other relations.
Granted, JLPT N4 only covers basic comprehension of the language. But those who understand the basics can begin to understand how speech is used in Japanese culture. Even if your journey in learning Japanese ends at JLPT N4, it’s impossible not to pick up cultural elements in your studies. Studying for and taking JLPT N4 establishes a strong base in understanding the relationship between the two.
4. Preparation for Higher JLPT Levels
Some come in with a vast range of knowledge, ready to tackle JLPT N1 head-on in their first shot, and some start at the beginning. If you’re in the latter, then JLPT N4 is an obligatory stop in your language-learning journey. Individuals often commit multiple years to learn the Japanese language. If you’re a beginner just starting out, you’re not going to be at a JLPT N1 level any time soon (and if you are, please share your remarkable study habits with the world).
In your language learning journey, you’ll want to take lower levels of the test, including JLPT N4, as your progress in knowledge and skill. You’ll also want to be familiar with the testing process itself, knowing precisely what to expect.
5. Acquire Wide Range of Kanji and Vocabulary Knowledge
Individuals who pass JLPT N4 can read 300 kanji and have committed about 1500 vocabulary words to retainable knowledge. If your range of expertise falls within these figures, then JLPT N4 is the test for you.
JLPT N4 testers know all of the grammar points needed to be conversational to a degree, but they will still need to learn more vocabulary and a lot more kanji to reach the N1 level. The difference between the hours of study for N4 and N1 is about 4000 hours. JLPT N4 is genuinely a starting point, but beginners certainly won’t want to skip it.
6. Establish Transferrable Study Habits
Retaining knowledge such as kanji, grammar, vocabulary, and reading in listening in Japanese may seem like a daunting task. Though JLPT N4 is one of the easier levels offered by the test, it still takes a tremendous amount of work to get there. There are a vast majority of tools and study guides at your disposal, though.
From digital flashcards to helpful textbooks, there is a way to start importing the Japanese language into your head in a way that you can use it to express your own thoughts and ideas. Reaching JLPT N4 level establishes excellent study habits that you can then use in studies for more difficult JLPT levels or other languages entirely.
7. Just for the Fun of it!
Let’s face it. Meaningful JLPT certification does not start applying until JLPT N2. JLPT N4 is simply a stepping-stone to higher levels, but between gauging your growth, broadening your sense of Japanese culture, and establishing good study habits, it can just feel plain good to show up and prove that all of your studying has paid off!
JLPT N4 can be considered a rite of passage from the beginner level to the intermediate level of fluency. If your end goal is JLPT N1, then JLPT N4 is a fun accomplishment to boost your motivation as you prepare to tackle your next 4,000 hours of study.
7 Reasons to Skip JLPT N4
JLPT N4 is a worthy goal to strive towards for the individual who is newer to the Japanese language and culture. But what about those who already have vast knowledge in kanji and Japanese vocabulary? Because an individual can take JLPT at any level without having passed its previous difficulty level, it’s certainly possible to jump right in at N3, N2, or N1.
Why would you want to consider skipping JLPT N4? While there are plenty of reasons to consider taking JLPT N4, there are several reasons to consider skipping it. Here are seven reasons why an individual might skip JLPT N4:
- Confidence in Japanese-language skill level
- They’ve already mastered the basics
- They’re already well versed in Japanese Culture
- No professional benefits
- Kanji and vocabulary mastery are already higher than JLPT N4 level
- It does not test full Japanese-language competency
- It’s just a test
JLPT N4 may not appeal to those who already possess a casual competency in the Japanese language. In the next few paragraphs, we’ll elaborate on the above points so that you can know if skipping JLPT N4 is the right choice for you. It always comes down to each individual’s personal preference and experience level.
1. Prior Knowledge in Skill Level
This particular point can perhaps summarize all further points in why you would want to skip JLPT N4. It all comes down to your prior experience with the Japanese language. Beginners who have never touched the language are sure to reach a level of that found in JLPT N4. But if you already know the basics, or are already familiar with Japanese culture and have a wide range of kanji and vocabulary knowledge, then JLPT N4 is not for you.
The recommended hours of study for JLPT N3 range from 500 to 750 hours. If you fall into this category, then you can safely assume that the material found on JLPT N4 will not challenge you, and you shouldn’t spend any time focusing on it. After all, the overall JLPT is only held twice a year. You want to use those precious slots testing at a level that will challenge you to grow.
2. You’ve Already Mastered the Basics
Remember, JLPT N5-N4 are the easy tests that measure one’s essential ability to understand Japanese. If you ever took a class on Japanese and did well, then as long as you’ve retained all of the covered information, you may already be at a JLPT N3 level.
Other circumstances that can induce first-time testers to skip JLPT N4 are based on their geographic location. Students educated in China and Korea have already learned the basics of kanji, so they are at an advantage over students from other countries. Usually, this means that their study time to reach JLPT N3 is reduced to over 300 hours of study, but this figure ranges between each individual.
3. You’re Already Well-Versed in Japanese Culture
As we’ve stated above, the Japanese language and culture go hand in hand. If you’re immersed in a culture with no previous language experience, you’re bound to soak in natural grammar structures, tones, and speaking patterns. This doesn’t mean that binging 900 episodes of your favorite anime is going to prepare you for JLPT. But if you’re surrounded by native speakers of the language for an extended period, this can help supplement several hours of traditional study, given you’re committed to learning.
Granted, commitment to studying is still required, but any situation that skips you right past JLPT N4 level by simply living day-to-day life is always a compelling case to study.
4. No Professional Benefits
This is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why people choose to skip JLPT N4. Japan ranks immigrating individuals on a “Point-based Preferential Immigration Treatment System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals.” What does that mean? The gist is this: if you want to immigrate to Japan for work or study, you’ll need a high score in their specialized ranking system to gain ease of passage. Those with 70 points obtain preferential treatment and have an easier time in the immigration process.
JLPT N1 certification earns you 15 points, and JLPT N2 certification earns you 10 points. All of the lower levels in JLPT don’t qualify for any points. If you’re looking to move to Japan for business or study, then you most likely be required to take JLPT, but taking it at its N4 level will not help you at all in the immigration process, even if you pass with flying colors.
5. Kanji and Vocabulary Are Already at an Intermediate Level
This is another point that can mainly apply to those residing in Asian countries, but it’ worth mentioning. If you’ve already learned over 650 kanji, and 3,750 vocabulary words, then there’s a good chance that you’ll want to skip JLPT N4.
6. It Does Not Test Full Japanese-Language Competency
JLPT N4 measures your language competency for Japanese up to a certain point. Individuals who passed JLPT N4, even with a perfect score, can only communicate in Japanese with full comprehension if their conversation partner is speaking slow. If you’re beyond the basics and feel comfortable understanding Japanese that is used in everyday situations, then you might want to think about testing for JLPT N3 or higher.
7. It’s Just a Test!
In the reasons for taking JLPT N4 above, we mentioned in our final point that it’s good to take the test simply because it can be fun. The direct inverse of that statement is this: JLPT N4 is just a test. It will not earn you credit towards doing business in Japan. It will not challenge you if you have familiarity with the basics of the language.
People will often retake JLPT N1 and N2 to achieve higher scores and perhaps earn higher points towards their preferential immigration treatment, but JLPT N4 begins and ends as a stepping-stone to a higher level. It’s one thing to measure your skills as you grow in your knowledge, but once you’ve attained and mastered all knowledge found on the test, the only thing it’s suitable for is a $60 hole in your bank account.
Conclusion
With JLPT being held only twice a year, choosing which level of difficulty to tackle can be quite the challenge. You don’t want the test to be too easy, but you don’t want to waste your time with a difficulty level that’s out of your league. Between the five levels, there’s something suited to each individual, no matter where they are in their Japanese-language learning journey.
JLPT N4 might seem like the awkward selection of the bunch. Being just above the easiest test, and just below the medium test, it can be tempting to skip right over it without a second thought. But as you’ve read, there’s a myriad of considerations to make before locking in your final decision.