So, you have studied for hours, weeks, months, maybe even years, and you have finally decided that you are going to take the JLPT.
But where can you take the JLPT? There are test sites to take the JLPT in major cities all over Japan. However, if you are residing outside of Japan, you must check the official JLPT website’s list of overseas test site cites and local host institutions.
Details about taking the test may differ depending on your location. These may include the annual frequency and cost of the test. Below I’ve outlined some specific information about taking the JLPT in anglophone countries.
Can you Take the JLPT Outside of Japan?
Yes. However, every country has different host institutions that proctor the test. For a comprehensive list of test site cities outside of Japan, and links to the host institutions associated with those test sites, please visit the official JLPT website.
The United States
The JLPT host institution in the United States is the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (A.A.J.T.).
There are test sites in the following cities:
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- New York
- Honolulu
- Atlanta
- San Francisco
- Washington, D.C.
- Seattle
- Fayetteville (Arkansas)
- Philadelphia
- Boston
- Houston
- Ann Arbor
- Boulder
- Columbus
- Miami
- Portland
- Newark
In the United States the cost of taking each test is $60 (USD). While some countries, like Japan, offer the test bi-annually, in the United States the test is given only once annually—this year it will be given on December 6th.
Certificates for those who pass the test will be mailed in early March.
The A.A.J.T. provides a great list of JLPT resources on their website, including a JLPT guide, sample online practice tests, study materials and a list of Japanese bookstores. As far as registration the website reads:
“Please bookmark this website and check back during the year for updates.”
Canada
Canada’s host institutions vary by city. The host institution and a link to their website, as well as relevant information concerning test dates, are provided after the city name.
There are test sites in the following cities:
- Vancouver’s host association is the Langara College of Higher Education. The test will not be held in July this year due to COVID-19, however it is still scheduled for December 6th. It is $40 (CAD) to register for the test.
- Toronto – At the time of writing this article the page provided for the JLPT by York University is down.
- Edmonton’s host association is the University of Alberta, Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching and Research. There website states that the July 5th, 2020 test is cancelled due to COVID-19. There is not information on the test in December yet, however the test costs $70 (CAD) to take.
- Ottawa’s host association is Carleton University’s School of Linguistics and Language. While there is no information for the 2020 test yet, last year exam date was Sunday, December 1st and the application period was from September 1st to October 4th. The test costs $70 (CAD).
If you read the Langara College of Higher Education overview page on the JLPT 2020, it states that:
“In Canada, only the University of Alberta in Edmonton is offering the test on July 5th.”
However, University of Alberta, Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching and Research states that it is not proctoring the test in July due to COVID-19. It’s safe to assume that the latter is correct, and I wouldn’t plan on taking the JLPT anywhere in Canada this July.
The U.K.
Like Canada, the U.K. has different host organizations for each city in which the test is offered.
There are test sites in the following cities:
- London’s host association is the Language Centre, S.O.A.S. University of London. The July 2020 test has been cancelled due to COVID-19. The next test will be held on December 6th, 2020
- Edinburgh’s host association is the University of Edinburgh. The fee is £100 which you must pay upon completion of the online application form. There is not information about tests for 2020 on their website, but one could assume that it will probably be held in December.
- Cardiff’s host association is the School of Modern Languages, Cardiff University. Their next test dates and costs are, according their website, “to be confirmed”.
Ireland
Dublinis the only city in which you can take the JLPT in Ireland.
Dublin’s host association is the University College Dublin Japan Group. As of now, the website states that the next exam is on Sunday, December 1st, 2019. Obviously, they have yet to update the site, but we can assume that it will be around the same time this year. The fee for the test is €90.
New Zealand
While being a relatively small country, New Zealand has three test sites. This could be due to its proximity to Japan.
There are test sites in the following cities:
- Auckland and Wellington share the same host association—the Auckland JLPT Administration Committee. The test for July has been cancelled, however, the applications for the December 2020 test are still set to open in August. The cost for each test is different: N1($75), N2($70), N3($65), N4($60), N5($55).
- Christchurch’s host association is the N.Z. J.L.P.T. Administration Committee Christchurch. The test dates and costs are the same as they are for Auckland and Wellington.
Australia
You can take the JLPT in many cities across Australia. Unfortunately, I found the information on their website’s to be lacking.
There are test sites in the following cities:
- Canberra’s host association is the Japan Centre, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University. Their website simply states the test has been cancelled due to COVID-19, but does not provide any information about future tests, or pricing.
- Brisbane’s host association is the School of Humanities, Languages, and Social Science, Griffith University. The link provided by the official JLPT website directs to the Universities Facebook page which states that the July test is cancelled. The prices are $95 (AUD) for the N1-N4, and $85 (AUD) for the N5. There is no information about winter test.
- Perth’s host association is the JLPT Administration. Unfortunately, the website provided by the official JLPT website provides no information about the future JLPT, only that the test results for the 2019 test are now available.
- Sydney’s host association is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Administration, School of Humanities and Languages, The University of New South Wales. While there is no information about the test in 2020, the test in 2019 was on December 1st. Contact information is provided on the page if you have any questions.
- Melbourne’s host association is the Japanese Language, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University. The July test has been canceled, however, there is still a test on December 6th. The N1-N3 cost $95 (AUD) and the N4 and N5 cost $85 (AUD).
- Adelaide’s host association is the Japan Australia Friendship Association. Like Melbourne, The N1-N3 cost $95 (AUD) and the N4 and N5 cost $85 (AUD). The last test was Sunday, December 1st 2019, so it can be assumed that the 2020 will be around the same time.
Unfortunately, many of the host associations in Australia have websites that are not updated. However, I found the Japanese Language, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University webpage on the JLPT to be the most informative. It provides information for the JLPT for all of Australia.
South Africa
Johannesburg is the only city in South Africa where you can take the JLPT.
Johannesburg’s host association is the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Administration Committee in South Africa. While the website provided by the official JLPT website did not provide any information about the JLPT, I was able to find the PDF of an announcement made last year.
The test was given on December 1st, 2019, and the application period was from July 1st to August 30th. The cost is R300 for each level.
Can you Take the JLPT Online?
At this time, you cannot take the JLPT online. The current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 make it difficult to plan for the JLPT in 2020. Perhaps, things will change in the future. However, for now, it would be extremely difficult to proctor a test online, while maintaining the integrity of the results.