If you have ever wanted to be employed by a company or attend a school in Japan, chances are you have had to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). According to the Objectives and History of the JLPT, the test was formed in 1984 and has since grown to be the most extensive Japanese test in the world.
Who can take the JLPT? The JLPT has been formulated for all people. There are no restrictions about who can take the assessment, so you do not need to be a native Japanese speaker to take the assessment.
Read on to learn all about the JLPT and how you can become eligible to take the assessment.
How Old Do You Have to be to Take the JLPT?
The JLPT does not have any age limits when it comes to eligibility to take the assessment. It is open to be taken by individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Before signing up for the JLPT, you should be able to understand enough English to understand the instructions.
Where is the JLPT Offered?
According to the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ), the assessment is offered once a year on the first Saturday in December at multiple testing sites around the United States.
If you are taking the exam in Japan, you will have two windows of opportunity. The assessment is offered in both early July and early December. You must be aware of registration deadlines because they are several months in advance to the exam date.
Is There Only One Assessment?
You may only take one assessment at a time, but be aware that the JLPT has five different levels that you will need to complete and pass. Each level builds upon the last. According to the JLPT website, the levels are labeled N1-N5, with N1 being the most difficult.
The following chart gives details about each level of the JLPT:
| N1 | Application of Japanese language to real-life situations. |
| N2 | Application of Japanese language to real-life situations. |
| N3 | Connects the two types of assessments (moving from understanding to application) |
| N4 | Understanding of the Japanese language |
| N5 | Understanding of the Japanese language |
Each level of the assessment is comprised of two parts: reading and listening. The JLPT is unique from other assessments because you do not need to pass one level to move to the next. For example, if you feel confident in your ability to understand and apply the Japanese language, you can begin at level five. If you are uncertain, you can start at level one. After receiving the results of your exam, you may choose to move ahead to any level you wish.
This may have you thinking that you can pass this assessment in no time at level five. However, even though this assessment is available without specific eligibility requirements, it is tough. Not only do you have to be adept at reading and listening to the language, but you also need a strong understanding of both grammar and vocabulary.
Does Not Passing It Affect Your Eligibility?
If taking assessments is not exactly your strong suit, you may be wondering what happens if you do not pass a level. Do not worry; if you do not pass a level, you are not banned from the assessment or asked to start over. The JLPT is an intense exam that requires diligent studying. Some people study for months to prepare. If this is you and you do not pass, you may want to take a break before attempting the assessment again.
If you do not pass the assessment, you aren’t labeled or knocked down levels; however, if you are taking the assessment for school or employment purposes, it could put limitations on what you can do.
Is the Assessment Expensive?
Surprisingly enough, the JLPT is not an extremely expensive assessment to take. According to a document provided by AATJ, each section of the exam is $60. When registering, you must be sure the specific date you choose will work for you because the site states that there are no refunds, unless the exam is canceled by the company. So, while the exam is relatively inexpensive, failing to know your schedule and planning accordingly could end up costing you in the long run.
Do You Need a Certain Score to Pass?
Like any exam, you will need a specific score to pass. Remember, there are different levels of the JLPT, so there are also different passing scores that are required. If you are planning to work in a position where a firm understanding of the Japanese language is required, a higher score will likely be favored.
Nihonkaidelhi, the author of Scoring Section in JLPT Exam & Minimum Passing Marks Required for Each Level, explains each level has different passing requirements, which are:
- N1- 100
- N2- 90
- N3- 95
- N4- 90
- N5 -80
How Long Is the Exam?
Another question you may have is how long the assessment is. Because there are different requirements for each assessment, the time it takes to complete each section is different for each level.
According to the JLPT website, the times for each section are as follows:
- N1: This segment has both a listening and reading component. The time allotted to complete the assessment is 170 minutes.
- N2: This segment has both a listening and reading component. The time allotted to complete the assessment is 155 minutes.
- N3: This is known as the bridge between the first and last two levels of the JLPT. It includes three components: listening, reading, and language. The time allotted to complete the assessment is 140 minutes.
- N4: This segment has three components: listening, reading, and language. The time allotted to complete the assessment is 125 minutes.
- N5: This segment as three components: listening, reading, and language. The time allotted to complete the assessment is 105 minutes.
You will notice the time requirements decrease as the information in the assessment increases, so you need to plan accordingly when preparing to take the assessment.
Should You Study?
When preparing to take an exam, it is essential to take time to study and prepare. This is a process that can be quite overwhelming, but there are multiple study options available on the official JLPT website, as well as books that can be purchased as a form of practice.
No matter what method you choose to use for study purposes, you must devote sufficient time to studying, so you can perform well on the assessment. The Coto Academy indicates the average amount of study time required depends on the current level of Japanese you can speak and can range between 355 – 3,888 hours.
Most likely, the less time you have been speaking Japanese, the more time you will need to study to perform well on the assessment. While being fluent in Japanese is helpful, it is not an indicator that you will do well on the assessment without studying. Therefore, time must be spent studying.
It is wise to utilize tools for studying like this 5-book Official JLPT study book set and this Online JLPT Preparation Course offered by the Japanese Online Institute.
Final Thoughts
The eligibility requirements to take the JLPT are not very restrictive. However, it is an assessment that cannot be taken for granted. It is a challenging test that requires careful thought and preparation. Now that you know the eligibility requirements as well as answers to many questions about the JLPT, you can start preparing for your first test!
