What’s JLPT?

日本語能力試験, standing for Nihongo nōryoku shiken, is known by foreigners through its English acronym, JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). The JLPT is an official ability test that aims to certifying one’s Japanese level. It’s a multiple-choice exam that assesses knowledge in the following areas: vocabulary, kanji, grammar and listening. When it was first launched in 1984, it consisted of four levels. In 2010, in order to bridge the gap between N2 and N3, a new level was added between these two. It became the current N3. Therefore, the present test structure consists of five levels, starting from N5 (the lowest level) to N1 (the highest level). In Japan and in China, exams are set up every six months, in July and December of each year. In most of the other countries that hold the JLPT, one exam per year is held in December. Over time, the JLPT became an examination recognised by the whole Japanese society. Nowadays it is prevalent for candidates to have obtained proof of a certain JLPT level in order to be admitted to an university or to a company in Japan.