In general, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the vital test that is used for evaluating the Japanese proficiency of any learner. When it comes to taking the JLPT, N5 is the lowest and easiest level of the test. It is the 5th level of the test that many Japanese learners usually take first.
After taking and passing the N5, the learner may then decide to move forward to take other tougher and higher levels of the JLPT which are N4, N3, N2, and N1. However, it is worthwhile to note that you don’t necessarily have to take JLPT N5 before taking a higher level. In fact, you can go ahead to take N1 (the toughest and highest level of the test) without taking any lower level of the JLPT.
The JLPT N5 cannot be used for any practical purpose
Having known what JLPT N5 is all about, you might be wondering what you can do with JLPT N5 after taking the test. The truth is that the N5 certificate is not particularly useful in the practical sense. In other words, the JLPT N5 cannot be utilized for any practical purpose or activity. You may not be able to use the N5 for any tangible thing that may be worth the cost, time, and other resources you would have spent on taking the test.
When you have N5, you may still not be able to get any high-paying job in Japan as you are believed to only have a rudimentary understanding of the Japanese language. Generally, any job that requires the JLPT certificate will likely request the candidates to have an N1 or N2 certificate. Therefore, most jobs that you can get with JLPT N5 will likely also be available for people that don’t understand Japanese at all. Resultantly, if you get a great job in Japan, your other skills must have assisted you, not because you have the JLPT N5.
Also, the JLPT N5 certificate cannot be used by a student looking for admission to any Japanese university as proof of their proficiency and competency in the Japanese language. This applies if the program will be offered in the Japanese language.
Most of the universities in Japan will require at least JLPT N3 for your proof of Japanese proficiency. Factually, the majority of top-rated universities will request JLPT N1 or N2. Waseda University and Tokyo Gakugei University are good examples of such universities. Therefore, your N5 certificate will not be useful in this situation.
The JLPT N5 can still be used for certain things
Does this mean that the JLPT N5 is useless? No, the JLPT N5 is not useless. Although it does not have any practical purpose as explained above, you can use it for several other things that will be explained below.
- You can use it for personal motivation
For a lot of individuals, there is a personal motivation that comes with taking N5. This can serve as a form of personal development that can be helpful in improving yourself. Therefore, whether you get a job or school admission with the certificate or not, this specific reason will be enough to make getting the JLPT N5 worthwhile for you.
- You can use it to get the experience to pass other levels
As suggested earlier, the other levels of the JLPT are tougher to pass than N5. Therefore, taking them first before N5 can be a recipe for failure. Factually, you are likely going to pass N4 or N3, if you have successfully taken N5. This is because passing N5 would have shown you the right way to prepare for the higher levels. Also, you would have known the resources you can use for the higher levels.
Another way passing N5 will help the other levels is that you will understand the real test condition. Generally, all JLPT levels have similar test structures; the only difference is the difference in the difficulties of each level. Therefore, if you have taken N5, you would have understood the structure of all other levels.
- You can put it on your CV
While N5 will probably not help you get any job that is meant for only Japanese speakers, it can actually be a nice addition to your CV. Upon completing the N5 successfully, you can see it as a milestone. Therefore, adding it to your CV can be great. It is just like any other certification that you add to your resume or CV.
- You can use it to show your interest in learning the language
Even though having N5 means that you only have a basic understanding of the Japanese language, it can show that you have a good interest in learning the language. How does this help you? Well, it can serve as proof of your commitment to knowing more about Japan and its people and language. This can come in handy to boost your relationship with many locals.
Besides, basic Japanese you will understand during your study for N5 can also be essential. With the knowledge of the basics of the Japanese language, you will be able to speak some Japanese. This can be useful to your overall communication with the locals.
In a nutshell, the JLPT N5 does not have any practical benefit. That is, you cannot do any practical activity with JLPT N5. It will not improve your chances of getting admission into the majority of the universities in Japan. Also, N5 will not assist you to get any high-paying job in the country.
However, this doesn’t mean that the certificate is completely useless. You can use it as a stepping stone to writing the higher and tougher levels of the JLPT which may be good for employment and academic purposes. Also, you can get some crucial motivations from taking the JLPT N5.
Therefore, if you have a plan to take the JLPT N5, you must bear this set of information in mind so that you will not be disappointed after taking it.