If you’re studying Japanese or plan to, there’s a good chance you’ll need to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), the primary test for students of Japanese. Taken by 500,000 applicants each year, the test was begun in 1984 in response the increase in interest in Japan by people all over the world, and is held each December all over the world (and in East Asian countries, again in July). This year some changes are being introduced into the test, essentially bringing it from four levels of difficulty to five, to make it easier for students to rise one level each year. The new system starts at level N5 (the easiest) and goes all the way to N1 (the hardest, needed for entrance into a Japanese university), with level N3 essentially falling in between the old levels 3 and 2, to make it easier on students. I have fond memories of my own JLPT study days, of stressing out over kanji pronunciations or how to use a certain bit of Japanese grammar, and I find myself envious of anyone studying for the test this year. The sign-up deadline is this September, so if you’re interested in taking the test, register right away to avoid the agony of missing your registration. There are just 109 days before this year’s test — if you need study supplies, textbooks or other products to help you learn, J-List has you covered!
If you need to prepare for the JLPT, J-List can help.
