JLPT, The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験), or JLPT, is a standardized test to evaluate and certify the Japanese proficiency of the non-native Japanese speakers. Because this test is organized by a semi-governmental organization (namely, the Japan Foundation) of Japan, the scores examinees have got in JLPT are recognized worldwide, especially in the academic field. In Hong Kong, many university students whose major are Japanese will sit for this test. Since 1984, Society of Japanese Language Education of Hong Kong has been working for the Japan Foundation to organize JLPT in Hong Kong. The Society accepts registrations for the test in August and hosts the test on the first Sunday of December every year. 

Formats & Positionings of the JLPT

There are 4 levels of difficulty in JLPT, namely from level 4 to level 1. While level 4 is the basic level, level 1 is the professional level which is also the most demanding level. However the test formats of all these levels are the same. They are all made up of three sections: (1)Writing-Vocabulary; (2)Listening & (3)Reading-Grammar. In fact all these sections are testing the comprehensiveness of use of Japanese of the examinees. To see if the examinees have broken through the former level of comprehensiveness. In other words, if a person has not broken through the former level of comprehensiveness in one's study, then he or she cannot get a pass result in a more advanced level of JLPT. Don't be fooled by the number of hours spending on studying Japanese. However, it will be nice if a person can master an ability to speak and to listen even getting a just passed result in JLPT.

Level 4 of JLPT: In this level, the designer of the test questions is assuming that the examinees has been spent at least 150 hours on studying Japanese. The examinees are expected at least to understand 100 Kanji(s), 800 vocabularies and master a beginner level of grammar. Getting a pass result in this level of JLPT means that the examinee not only can take part in simple conversations in Japanese but also can comprehend simple and short essays.
*A salespeople getting a pass result in this level can close sales in Japanese.

Level 3 of JLPT: In this level, the designer of the test questions is assuming that the examinees has been spent at least 300 hours on studying Japanese. The examinees are expected at least to understand 300 Kanji(s), 1,500 vocabularies and master a basic level of grammar. Getting a pass result in this level of JLPT means that the examinee not only can take part in daily conversations in Japanese but also can comprehend simple essays.
*A sales representative / sales manager / sales engineer / merchandiser getting a pass result in this level can follow up Japanese clients in Japanese.

Level 2 of JLPT: In this level, the designer of the test questions is assuming that the examinees has been spent at least 600 hours on studying Japanese. The examinees are expected at least to understand 1,000 Kanji(s), 6,000 vocabularies and master a semi-professional level of grammar. Getting a pass result in this level of JLPT means that the examinee not only can take part in all general conversations in Japanese but also can comprehend all general essays.
*In Hong Kong, some second best Japanese language schools will employ those who have got a pass result in this level to be their Japanese tutors.

Level 1 of JLPT: In this level, the designer of the test questions is assuming that the examinees has been spent at least 900 hours on studying Japanese. The examinees are expected at least to understand 2,000 Kanji(s), 10,000 vocabularies and master a professional level of grammar. Getting a pass result in this level of JLPT means that the examinee have reached a good command of Japanese language. Japanese language itself will not be a barrier for this person to become a member of Japanese society.
*In Hong Kong, some universities will employ those who have got a good result in this level to be their part-time Japanese tutors. 

Registration Procedure for JLPT

Basically, all non-native speakers of Japanese can register for whichever level of the test. However, in order to effectively measure one's proficiency, BRNG.JP strongly recommend all examinees sit for the test level by level. (i.e. level 4, 3, 2 &1) Because registering for a lower level is buying an insurance for the failure in the more advanced level. So many examinees (not students of BRNG.JP) don't even understand this logic that they sit for the level 3 without having a pass in the level 4. Didn't understand the meaning of "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" let them feel pain when they failed in the advanced level. They often fail in level 3 without a pass in level 4! Waiting for next year to retry the test is the only solution. Maybe fail again in the next year's test. What a pity!
Therefore step by step, level by level is extremely important.