by Jerome Espinosa Baladad

Created on: July 07, 2010

There are 5 levels in the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). It’s the Japan Foundation, and the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services that both administer the test through Japan’s Ministry of Education. The test measures and certifies Japanese-language proficiency for non-native speakers for both of those in Japan and abroad.

For tips that you may find applicable to your case from someone who has taken and passed the Level 4 proficiency – the most basic - in 2002 (which then had 4 levels, but became 5 in 2010, to account for those who usually have difficulties bridging the challenges between the old Level 3 and Level 2 tests), please read on and take note on the work you have to do. The notes that follow will give you more ideas on what entails taking the Level 1 exam:

1)    You have to master grammar rules to a “high level” – this means you have to be sure to have fully understood not only the basic grammar rules of Nihongo (Japanese), but have tested and used them yourself extensively while you were studying. It’s actually best to take internship work dealing with mostly Japanese clients who speak Nihongo with you for at least a year or two.

2)    You have to know and have encountered, and grasped the meaning of 2,000 Kanji characters (in addition to having been proficient in Katakana and Hiragana – the two other Nihongo ways of writing for words following certain rules). These are originally Chinese characters that are freely used in the Japanese writing system, with practically the same meanings but shown in different contexts.  In addition, you must have known the meaning of a minimum of 10,000 Nihongo words. These Kanji characters, words, and grammar rules will actually help you get provided with good Nihongo functional abilities in dealing with daily and different life situations in Japanese society.

3)    Level 1 is noted by Nihongo academicians and experts to be attainable normally by students who have diligently studied the language for at least 900 hours. Of course, this number of hours will have to be increased more when the student is totally non-proficient in Nihongo when [s]he started studying the language.

If you’ve been exposed to Nihongo and can actually listen, read and write in the language, but is a non-native, you may actually take Level 1 test just to have an idea of how the test is conducted, as long as you pay the fees. Keep

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