Do you want to take the Japanese Learning Proficiency Test (JLPT) to demonstrate your understanding of the Japanese language? You’ll best showcase your skills by choosing the best test for you. Since there are five different levels, it can be challenging to figure out which is right for you. N3 and N2 are closely similar, but you can still figure out which one is correct for you.
What is the difference between JLPT N3 and JLPT N2? The difference between JLPT N3 and JLPT N2 is that JLPT 2 involves knowing real-world Japanese more thoroughly. In contrast, JLPT N3 involves knowing a mix of real-world experience and more elementary classroom Japanese.
Understanding a bit more about why and how the tests are designed differently can help you decide which one is going to be the best option to measure your skillset, in addition to which one will demonstrate the level of language competence you want to show potential employers and others.
The Difference Between JLPT N3 vs. N2
The most straightforward difference between the JLPT N3 in comparison to N2 is difficulty level. There are five levels of difficulty that test-takers can choose from. The difficulty level of the JLPT ranges from the most challenging version (N1) to the least challenging (N5). The N3 test is, therefore, easier than the N2 test.
But the difference between the JLPT N3 and N2 isn’t just difficulty. The N2 test is rooted in real-world applications of the Japanese language, while the N3 focuses on a more basic language structure. While the difference between the JLPT N3 and N2 is on the surface pretty simple, if you want to figure out which test is best for you, you need to consider how each level is designed.
Tests N1 and N2 aren’t just the most challenging versions of the test. They are also geared toward test takers who have a good grasp of real-world application of the Japanese language. Tests N4 and N5, on the other hand, are more classroom-oriented, testing for more basic language structures and a general understanding of specific conversations.
Test N3 tests for a blend of classroom-oriented Japanese and real-world Japanese and acts as a bridge between the two. The N3 test is actually a new addition to the JLPT, as the old test (pre-2010) only had four levels rather than five.
So, in older versions of the test, all test-takers in N3 would actually be forced to choose between N2 and N4. I go into more detail on the test’s history later on.
The JLPT is designed like this to be able to fairly and accurately represent the test taker’s Japanese language ability, even though language comprehension can be difficult to quantify. Passing scores for each level can qualify the test taker for different things.
The JLPT isn’t just designed with content difficulty in mind. The scoring process is also intended to ensure accuracy and fairness in score representation. Read on for a deeper understanding of the JLPT.
The N3 and N2 Tests and Qualification
The JLPT is used as a qualifier for different job positions in Japan, as well as citizenship for those immigrating to the country. Different levels qualify you for various situations.
Those who want to have preferential treatment in immigrating to Japan should seek to take the N2 test (or even the N1 test) as they can increase their chances of having preferential treatment when migrating to Japan. For more on the preferential treatment system, click here.
- If you’re a foreign citizen and can pass the N2 JLPT, you can have a test subject waved on your accreditation exam for completing junior high school in Japan.
- If you’re looking to become a nurse or caregiver, you need to earn a passing score on a particular test. The level you are required to take varies between country of origin, so you should look to see what Japan’s requirements of your specific country are.
- If you’re taking the JLPT to qualify for a specific position, you must make sure you receive the correct test; this means that you may need to build up your language skills if you need to pass a harder level.
Which Level Should I Take?
If you happen to have options for which level you should take, and you’re trying to figure out which one will demonstrate your level of comprehension best, learn a bit more about each level’s objectives to figure out which one is the best match for you.
JLPT Levels
Determining which test to take is going to depend on what kind of reading, listening, and vocabulary skills the test taker has. Below are the criteria for reading and listening skills that each test is measuring.
N1 – Understands everyday Japanese.
- Reading: This test sees if one can read things written with logical complexity as well as abstract language. The test taker should be able to read and understand both the structure and contents of works like newspaper tutorials, editorials, and critiques.
The test taker should also be able to read written material that is intended to be evocative on a variety of topics. They should also be able to understand the writer’s intent clearly.
- Listening: The test taker should be able to comprehend conversations, news reports, and lectures when they are spoken at their natural speed in most settings. They should be able to understand the contents as well as details such as essential points, logical structures, and relationships of people involved.
N2 – Understands Japanese in everyday situations and many circumstances to some degree.
- Reading: The test taker can read and comprehend materials written clearly on a variety of topics, such as articles and commentaries in newspapers as well as simple critiques.
One is also able to read and understand both the content and writer intent on general topics.
- Listening: The test taker should be able to understand the contents of spoken materials like conversations and news reports at their natural speed in most settings. The test taker should also be able to understand the essential points as well as relationships among people involved in the spoken content.
N3 – Understands some everyday Japanese.
- Reading: The test taker can understand written content involving specific everyday topics as well as information like newspaper headlines and other daily content. One should also be able to use context clues to solidify their understanding.
- Listening: One can understand everyday conversations almost at their natural speed and is generally able to follow its contents and relationships of the people involved.
N4 – Understands basic Japanese.
- Reading: One can read and understand passages on daily topics as well as basic vocabulary and kanji.
- Listening: One can hear and understand conversations related to day-to-day life as long as they are spoken slowly.
N5 – Understands some basic Japanese.
- Reading: One can read and understand simple sentences written in hirahana, katalana, and basic kanji.
- Listening: One can hear and understand conversations about daily life and classroom scenarios. The listener can also gather necessary information from short conversations spoken slowly.
Overall JLPT Objectives and Structure
The main objective of the JLPT is to evaluate different levels of proficiency in Japanese of non-native speakers. The test is the largest-scales Japanese-language test in the world, growing initially from 7000 test takers worldwide to 610,000 test-takers in 2011. The JLPT was revised in 2010 and now utilized advances in Japanese pedagogy and testing theory.
The JLPT is created by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (previously known as the Association of International Education, Japan) and has been offered since 1984. It is used to certify the level of Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers.
The characteristics of the JLPT are used in creating the test to ensure that the test can achieve its objective. They can be used to help frame test-takers understanding of their own goals in completing the test. Here is a bit more about the key characteristics of the JLPT. (Source: JLPT)
Four Characteristics of JLPT
Here are the four key characteristics of the JLPT:
- Measures communicative competence required to perform tasks.
The JLPT is designed to test not only (1) the knowledge of Japanese-language vocabulary but also (2) the ability to communicate using such knowledge. This doesn’t just see if you know the language but if you can actually use what you know.
The JLPT uses three elements to test communicative competence; language knowledge (which consists of both vocabulary and grammar), reading and listening.
The JLPT uses the language knowledge element to test the knowledge of Japanese-language vocabulary and grammar as well as the reading and listening components to test the ability to use the language in communication.
- Ability to pick the level that’s right for you.
The JLPT is offered in five different levels; N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. Test items are designed for each level in particular to represent proficiency accurately. Levels N4 and N5 measure Japanese that someone would learn in a classroom.
N1 and N2 measure comprehension in everyday life. N3 serves to bridge the gap between the classroom-oriented levels of N4 and N5 and the real-life oriented levels of N1 and N2.
- Scaled scores accurately measure Japanese-language proficiency.
The test does not use raw scores, or scores based on the number of correct answers because naturally, each test might slightly differ in difficulty. Instead, the test uses scales scores. Scaled scores allow the JLPT to more accurately represent the test taker’s language ability.
Scaled scores are a bit complicated to explain, so I go into detail later on how they work. Understanding scaled scores are going to help you understand what your score means.
- Use the “JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation List.”
The JLPT “Can-do Self-Evaluation List” helps test takers interpret the results of their test to have a more in-depth understanding of how their test scores affect their level of real-world competency. This list is based on a survey regarding “what activities are considered possible in Japanese.”
This test was conducted with 65,000 examinees of the 2010 and 2011 JLPT. The list was prepared based on an analysis of the data corrected. The list can be used by examinees to get a better idea of what they can do in Japanese.
The list can be somewhat challenging to understand at first but is a valuable resource when giving the different levels and scores context. The list can give you a better understanding of why certain positions require you to take certain levels on the test. We go into more depth on this later on. (Source: JLPT)
Scaled Scores in Depth
Scaled scores are different from raw scores in several ways. Scaled scores are somewhat complex to understand, so here’s a bit of information to give you context.
Advantages of Scaled Scores
Because of the differences in test environments and varieties, raw scores can accurately be used to compare test-takers experiences with each other. Some factors of the test, like timing, can differ. Scaled scores give test writers the ability to compare the scores of test-takers effectively.
Calculation Method of Scaled Scores
Scaled score calculation, or the calculation of test scores in such a way that they remain unaffected by exam difficulty, is based on Item Response Theory (IRT), which is a statistical test theory; this ensures fairness in scoring.
Setting Passing Points
The passing standard of the 5-level scale is designed to match that of the older version of the test. The scores for the early test that were based on levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 are now based on N1, N2, N4, and N5, respectively. Passing scores for N3 fall between the old levels of 2 and 3, which is now referred to as 2 and 4. (Source: JLPT)
The Can-Do Self Evaluation List
The Can-Do Self Evaluation List summarizes what successful test examinees think they can do in Japanese. It is not a certification of any level of proficiency in Japanese.
In the Can-Do Self Evaluation Study of test-takers from the 2010 and 2011 tests, the examinees were asked to review 30 statements in the following four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The examinees were asked the following two types of questions:
- Experience questions about whether the test taker has actually experienced a situation in Japanese.
- Self-evaluation questions about whether or not they think they can do something in Japanese.
The examinees answer these questions using four choices: yes; yes, but with difficulty; not very well, and no.
Then, based on an analysis of these answers, the list is prepared by arranging responses in order of difficulty based on the results. The analysts use the scores of examinees near the passing line, as the confidence of the people in the sample will have a greater variety.
The resulting list of questions is the Can-Do Self-Evaluation list. This list can be used by students to check their abilities against it to assist in goal setting for future studies in the language. They will also be able to articulate what their results mean to others, which can help students build confidence in speaking about their scores to potential employers.
Additionally, teachers involved in Japanese-language learning can use the list to get a sense of the level of confidence students have in themselves as well as use the results to create lesson plans. Tutors can use the list to get an understanding of what the students they’re working with can handle.
Here is the JLPT Can-Do Self Evaluation List. You can see that the level of confidence in each test taker’s ability to perform harder tasks in Japanese increases with the level of difficulty of the test they’ve completed.
Still can’t decide which level is best?
Are you still having difficulty figuring out which test is going to represent your skills best while still challenging you? Here are some things you can do to help you figure it out.
Remember that any choice you make is going to have pros and cons. For instance, if you’re trying to learn Japanese for fun, you might not really care whether your score is impressive, so you can take a higher-level test and not be too concerned with the consequences. If you really want to master the language, taking a lower level test is going to increase your chances of passing while still showing how much work you still have ahead.
If you don’t have a choice for what level you need to take because you need to qualify for a position, still consider these factors so you can find your weaknesses and figure out the best plan of attack for your success.
Look over this article for some more things to consider.
If you’re taking the JLPT test and you’re deciding which difficulty is right for you, remember that the test is designed to demonstrate a variety of levels of understanding. Pick the test that best matches what you want to demonstrate what you know about the Japanese language. And remember that it’s only a test!