Guide to the 2007 Japanese language proficiency test (in Japan)

[drpepper1785]

1. Objectives

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test will be held both in Japan and abroad to evaluate and certify the proficiency in Japanese of non-native speakers.

2. Administrative Organizations

The Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) administers the Test in Japan. The Japan Foundation (Interchange Association in Taiwan) will work with local host institutions to administer overseas.

3. Test Date

December 2 (Sunday), 2007

4. Test Sites (Planned)

Hokkaido , Miyagi , Tochigi , Saitama , Chiba , Tokyo, Kanagawa , Toyama , Nagano , Shizuoka , Aichi , Gifu , Kyoto , Osaka , Hyogo , Okayama , Hiroshima , Kagawa , Fukuoka , Oita, Okinawa

5. Methods of Application

(1) Application Form: The booklet will be on sale on and after July 2 (Mon), 2007 at major bookstores in Japan for 500 yen per copy.
(2) Test Fee: 5,500 yen
(3) Application Period: July 2 (Mon) to September 11 (Tue), 2007
(Applications postmarked after September 11, 2007 will not be accepted).
(4) Sending off the Test Voucher: Scheduled for November 1 (Thu), 2007

6. Scoring Standard

The passing score is usually 70% or higher for level 1, and 60% or higher for levels 2, 3, and 4. About the same passing scores are scheduled for fiscal 2006. If any adjustments are made, they will not be to the disadvantage of examinees.

7. Announcement of Test Results

(1) All examinees will receive their score reports of the test by level.

(2) Successful examinees will also receive their certificates of proficiency.

(3) Certificates of Proficiency and official test results will be sent in middle of February, 2007.

(4) Reports to universities and junior colleges:

The JEES will send the examinee's score to the universities and junior colleges upon their request for examinees who took the JLPT at cities abroad where "Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students" is not administered.

8. Contents of the Test

The test has four different levels. Each test is comprised of three sections: writing and vocabulary; listening; reading and grammar. The contents and criteria of the test are as follows:


Level 1

Sections Min/Points

Writing-Vocabulary 45 100

Listening 45 100

Reading-Grammar 90 200

Total 180 400

The examinee has mastered grammar to a high level, knows around 2,000 Kanji and 10,000 words, and has an integrated command of the language sufficient for life in Japanese society. This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 900 hours.

level 2

Sections Min/Points

Writing-Vocabulary 35 100

Listening 40 100

Reading-Grammar 70 200

Total 145 400

The examinee has mastered grammar to a relatively high level, knows

around 1,000 Kanji and 6,000 words, and has the ability to converse, read, and write about matters of a general nature. This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 600 hours and after

completion of an intermediate course.

level 3

Sections Min/Points

Writing-Vocabulary 35 100

Listening 35 100

Reading-Grammar 70 200

Total 145 400

The examinee has mastered grammar to a limited level, knows around 300 Kanji and 1,500 words, and has the ability to take part in everyday conversation and to read and write simple sentences. This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 300 hours and after completion of an elementary course.

level 4

Sections Min/Points

Writing-Vocabulary 25 100

Listening 35 100

Reading-Grammar 50 200

Total 100 400

The examinee has mastered the basic elements of grammar, knows around 100 Kanji and 800 words, and has the ability to engage in simple conversation and to read and write short, simple sentences. This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 150 hours and after completion of the first half of an elementary course.

JEES Japanese Language Procifiency Test Guide

[Cyclamen]

The difference between the second level and the first one on paper is huge, but in fact I've been told there's a noticeable gap only in the Listening part: the rest is quite similar (I can also notice this on the books I use to review: 90% of the grammar constructions have the "both ikkyu and nikkyu" stamp, which means that just the 10% of the book is "ikkyu only").