JLPT stands for Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, a standard test for certifying your Japanese language proficiency for non-native speakers. If you speak Japanese and want to get your skills certified, this is the test you need to take. It covers your knowledge of the Japanese language and your ability to read and write in Japanese. You can take the JLPT exam two times a year in Japan and a few selected countries. People in other regions can only sit through this test once a year.
What is JLPT Exam?
The JLPT exam, developed in Japan in 1984, is available worldwide, including India. It is a standardized criterion-referenced test; it assesses and verifies your ability in the Japanese language as a non-native speaker.
The exam is very popular worldwide. In 2004, JLPT was available in 40 countries, and there were around 3 Lakh candidates. Around 47% of them qualified. In four years, the candidates appearing for the exam raised to over 5 Lakh. However, only 36% of them qualified. After the syllabus got revised in 2009, the number of test-takers increased to over 7 Lakhs. In 2019, a whopping 16 Lakh people took JLPT test.
The Japan Educational Exchanges and Services conducts the JLPT exam. While the administration of the JLPT exam in India is through the Japan Foundation.
JLPT Exam In Indian Cities
The Japan Foundation conducts the JLPT exam in India through various organizations across the country. You can take the exam in one of the seven cities shown below. The table also shows the corresponding organizations conducting the test there.
| New Delhi | Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI) |
| Pune | Japanese Language Teachers’ Association, Pune |
| Kolkata | The Indo-Japan Welfare and Cultural Association |
| Chennai | Bangalore Nihongo Kyooshi-kai |
| Mumbai | Teachers Association of Japanese |
| Santiniketan | Visva-Bharati |
| Karur | Japanese Language of Teachers Association |
JLPT Exam In India Format
The test consists of various N5 to N1 levels; N1 is the highest level, and N5 is the lowest. Each exam level tests your proficiency in multiple aspects of the Japanese language. Read on to get an idea of how each exam level will assess your Japanese language abilities.
- N5: you can read and understand common hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji expressions. You should be able to listen to and understand necessary information from short day-to-day conversations spoken slowly.
- N4: You must understand basic Japanese. Qualifying this level means you can read passages related to everyday topics. And you can follow daily conversations spoken slowly.
- N3: This is the intermediate level. You will only clear this if you can understand written materials. Your abilities must include figuring out the summaries from written information. After qualifying for this level, you can also read slightly tricky content. You can understand The language spoken at around regular speed at this level. You can also follow the oral content well and understand the relationships between the speakers.
- N2: This level tests your ability to read articles on various topics with comprehension. You can also grasp the writer’s intent at this level. After qualifying JLPT N2 exam, you should be able to understand oral presentations at a regular speed. You also should have the ability to understand the essential points of the spoken materials and the relationship of the content with the speakers.
- N1: This level is the highest. You can only qualify for this level if you can read and understand any type of topic. You can also understand completely unfamiliar written materials of the highest order. With your listening skills, you can now grasp essential points, their relationship with the speaker, and the logical structures presented in lectures, news reports, etc.
Scoring
The test uses item-response theory to calculate scores; it does not use raw scores to determine whether the candidate qualifies directly. The authorities convert the raw scores into a standard scale. It ensures that two people with different skill and experience levels performed equally will score according to their proficiency.
JLPT Exam Dates 2022 India
You can give JLPT exam in India two times a year. This year the dates for JLPT exam 2022 in India are 3rd July 2022 and 4th December 2022. Usually, there are two JLPT exam sessions: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
For up-to-date information, you must visit the JLPT website.
JLPT Exam 2021 Format
The test format for various JLPT exam levels is below. The N1 test being the toughest to crack, takes the most time. You have 170 minutes to complete the exam. However, according to the JLPT n5 exam pattern, it only takes 90 minutes.
| Level | Test section (test time) | Total duration | ||
| N1 | (110 min) Tests Knowledge of Language (Grammar/Vocabulary)・Reading | (60 min) Listening | 170 min | |
| N2 | (105 min) Tests Knowledge of Language (Grammar/Vocabulary)・Reading | (50 min) Listening | 155 min | |
| N3 | (30 min) Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | (70 min) Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading | (40 min) Listening | 140 min |
| N4 | (25 min) Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | (55 min) Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading | (35 min) Listening | 115 min |
| N5 | (20 min) Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | (40 min) Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading | (30 min) Listening | 90 min |
JLPT Exam Question Types
Below you can see a list of question types that can appear in the JLPT
- In the vocabulary part, you may get tested for your abilities in Kanji Reading and Orthography and word formations. You must know contextually defined expressions, word formations, paraphrases, and word usages.
- In the Grammar section, you will get questions based on sentence and text grammar. Sentential grammar includes selecting the appropriate grammar form. You may also get questions that assess your knowledge of test composition.
- The exam will test your reading skills by asking you to read short, medium, or long paragraphs depending on the test level. Then you need to answer questions showing your abilities to grasp information and themes.
- To test your listening ability, authorities will ask you to do some tasks based on the instructions. They will also test your ability to understand essential points and summaries. Additionally, you will also get questions to test your quick response and ability to understand expressions.
JLPT Exam Fees In India
The JLPT exam fees in India are INR 1400 to INR 2000 per applicant. The JLPT n5 exam fees in India are the lowest, and the JLPT n1 exam fee is the highest.
| JLPT Exam Level | Exam Fee (INR) |
| N5 | 1416 |
| N4 | 1534 |
| N3 | 1682 |
| N2 | 1829 |
| N1 | 1947 |
The exam fees may change every year. You must visit the official website to get the latest exam fees.
JLPT Exam In India: How To Crack?
To qualify for the JLPT exam, you must study hard. There are many tutorials available online to learn. Additionally, you can take online courses to help you master the Japanese language. These courses would be structured and comprehensive enough to help you crack the exam on the first attempt. The approximate hours required to master the languages are below.
| Level | Students having kanji knowledge (e.g., Chinese speakers) | Other students(without kanji knowledge) |
| N1 | 1700–2600 hours | 3000–4800 hours |
| N2 | 1150–1800 hours | 1600–2800 hours |
| N3 | 700–1100 hours | 950–1700 hours |
| N4 | 400–700 hours | 575–1000 hours |
| N5 | 250–450 hours | 325–600 hours |
JLPT Exam A1 Sample Papers
Practicing sample questions is essential to qualify for the JLPT examination. They will ensure that you know the content as per the syllabus.
Additionally, doing sample papers will give you the confidence to crack the exam.
You can get the sample questions below:
- N1: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n1/index.html
- N2: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n2/index.html
- N3: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n3/index.html
- N4: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n4/index.html
- N5: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n5/index.html
JLPT A1 Exam Preparation
JLPT A1 exam or the N1 level is the hardest of all levels. You need to master reading and listening.
You should be able to hear and understand the Japanese language spoken at an average pace. Your Japanese listening skills must be excellent, and you must be able to infer logical structure and essential points. In addition, you must understand the information presented in a lecture.
As far as the reading skills go, you must be able to comprehend any type of familiar or unfamiliar writing.
JLPT a2 Exam
The JLPT a2 exam, or the N2 level, is the second-highest level among JLPT exams. Unlike N1 exams, you only need to be able to read and understand articles on general topics. You must be able to follow regular day-to-day conversations and understand the information presented in news reports.
In Conclusion, the JLPT exam is a popular exam available worldwide that tests your Japanese Language proficiency. This certification is usually required for non-native speakers who desire to work in Japan. It is mandatory for students aspiring to study in Japanese universities. The test contains five levels.
The lowest level, N5, only tests your essential ability to carry out instructions. And the highest level, N1, requires you to be able to understand lectures and read complex articles. JLPT exam test includes questions designed to test your vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening abilities. To pass these exams, you need to prepare with utmost dedication. You can either do self-study or opt for a course. A course will have a structured syllabus and experienced instructors to help you ace your JLPT exam.