Knowing your score will be one of your main concerns once you begin to prepare for the JLPT. There are five main categories of JLPT – N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. It takes approximately 16 hours to complete the JLPT from level N5 to level N1. The goal of this article is to break down the scores you need to get to pass the JLPT at each level.
Lots of non-natives take the JLPT for different reasons, and one of the reasons is to get a well-paying job in Japan. Considering this, you may be wondering whether the JLPT will look good on a resume or not. Without a doubt, the JLPT will look good on a resume.
Although the JLPT will add more value to your resume, it is not a legal requirement for getting a visa or applying for lots of jobs in the country. However, some jobs will list JLPT as one of the requirements from the applicants. You should note that most employers will not request JLPT accreditation from the applicants. They only want you to have a good understanding of the Japanese language. Some people may have the JLPT accreditation but still not speak Japanese fluently. So, the employers would rather have a conversation with you to test your ability to speak Japanese. This is especially true for jobs that require employees to deal with clients directly.
So, the JLPT will look good on your resume and may increase your chance of getting a job in Japan. Nonetheless, this does not mean that you cannot get a job in Japan if you have taken the test.
What are the benefits of taking JLPT?
JLPT is an exam that measures a non-native’s competency and comprehension to speak and use the Japanese language in everyday life. JLPT certification proves that you’ve mastered the basics and are comfortable functioning in day-to-day life.
The test is split into five difficulty levels: N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1. N5-N3 are the easier tests of the bunch and do not offer any type of certification that grants access to employment opportunities. N2-N1, on the other hand, are difficult tests that measure full fluency. Passing one of these tests gives you the certification that can garner special benefits.
Deciding whether to attain JLPT N2 or N1 certification is entirely up to the individual.
- N1 is the hardest level and proves absolute mastery and fluency in the Japanese language.
- N2 is still very hard to attain, but if you’re going up against someone with N1 certification for one of the benefits we’ll describe soon, then you’ll have a clear disadvantage.
Even if you’re more fluent than the N1 certificate holder, the “N1” title alone distinguishes them above the rest. N2 certification is still valuable, but if you have time before going to Japan, it never hurts to reach for N1 certification.
Something that people like to do with their JLPT certificates is using them as wall decorations; this can be compared to framing high school diplomas or college degrees. This is okay because if you’re applying for something that requires JLPT certification, you won’t send the certificate itself. There’s an important document you obtain that contains a “passed notification.” This document includes a unique serial number that JLPT test givers issue, and it uniquely identifies you. When including JLPT certification on your resume, you’ll want to include these serial numbers.
What Does a JLPT Certificate Prove?
Moving forward, we’ll distinguish JLPT N2 certification from JLPT N1 certification as it applies. Overall, JLPT is one big test that measures your language skill, no matter what level you’re at. Beginners often start with JLPT N5-N3 as a benchmark for their personal growth and in preparation for N2-N1. The following table illustrates the basics of what an individual must know to gain JLPT certification at any level:
| Test Difficulty | Study Hours | Kanji | Vocabulary | Grammar |
| N5 | 50 – 100 hours | 103 Kanji Characters | 681 Vocabulary Terms | 40 Grammar Rules |
| N4 | 100 – 150 hours | 300 Kanji Characters | 1500 Vocabulary Terms | 90 Grammar Rules |
| N3 | 500 – 750 hours | 350 Kanji Characters | 3750 Vocabulary Terms | 150 Grammar Rules |
| N2 | 1400 – 2000 hours | 1000 Kanji Characters | 6000 Vocabulary Terms | 250 Grammar Rules |
| N1 | 3100 – 4500 hours | 2136 Kanji Characters | 10,000 Vocabulary Terms | 400 Grammar Rules |
As you can see above, JLPT certification proves that an individual has spent thousands of hours learning thousands of kanji, vocabulary terms, and hundreds of grammar rules. Gaining JLPT certification displays incredible commitment. But what can you use it for?
Immediate Benefits of JLPT Certification
If you have your sights set on immigrating to Japan, then there’s a high chance that you’ve heard of their “Points-based Preferential Immigration Control and Residency Management Treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals.”Japan introduced this system on May 7th, 2012; this is what they use to promote the entry of highly skilled foreign professionals, as it favors skilled individuals on a ranked “point” system. There are three categories that can classify a highly skilled professional:
- Advanced Academic Research Activities: This category covers activities that engage in research, research guidance, and/or education based on contracts that are entered into with public or private organizations in Japan.
- Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities: This category covers activities of work engagement requiring specialized knowledge or skills in fields of natural sciences or humanities that are based on contracts entered into with public or private organizations in Japan.
- Advanced Business Management Activities: This category covers activities that engage in operations or the management of public or private organizations in Japan.
(Source: Immi-Moj)
An individual attains points set to each item based on academic background, professional career, annual salary, and other things of the like. If an individual’s points reach 70, then they gain priority in preferential immigration control and residency management (Immi-Moj). This is great, but you may be wondering what this all has to do with JLPT certification.
Attaining JLPT certification will garner you points towards this system. JLPT N2 certification earns an individual 10 points, and JLPT N1 certification earns 15 points. Japan looks for individuals who can “bring innovation to Japanese industries and promote the positive development of specialized and technical labor markets via friendly competition with Japanese people while increasing the efficiency of the Japanese labor markets” (LOC). In other words, they want team players who can help flourish alongside Japanese natives.
JLPT certification proves a command in the language and an understanding of the culture, so individuals who hold it are more likely to chart high in the system. The following list shows the benefits of Japan’s “Highly Skilled Professionals”:
- Granted permission for numerous activities
- “5 years” period of stay granted
- Requirements for permanent residence are eased
- Spouse of Highly Skilled Professional granted permission to work in the country
- Under certain conditions, the parents of Highly Skilled Professionals are permitted to accompany them under certain conditions
- Domestic workers granted permission to accompany Highly Skilled Professionals to Japan under certain circumstances
- The entry of the country and residence procedures receive preferential processing
(Source: NLECFI)
Usually, foreigners seeking Japanese citizenship are required to take a Japanese language accreditation exam that shows proficiency in at least a junior high school level in Japan. Holders of JLPT N2 or N1 certification have this entire test waived, as those tests cover more than what you’ll find on the exam.
What JLPT Certification Says About You
There’s a reason that having JLPT certification waives certain accreditation exams. Employers and schools alike don’t want to worry about students who are not fluent in the language. Your JLPT certification acts as proof that you understand Japanese at a level that allows you to work and co-exist with Japanese natives in a constructive way.
What does JLPT certification say about you? The answer to this question depends upon which level of JLPT you are certified in. As stated above, anything below N2 certification will not garner superb results, but it’s still a good thing to have if that is your current level. JLPT certification at any level shows commitment to the learning of the language and promises that you are on your way to learning.