JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)

The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is the benchmark to certify non-native Japanese’s level of proficiency in the language.


What is JLPT?

jlpt textbook

The information about JLPT below is from JLPT official site.

The JLPT has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. The easiest level is N5 and the most difficult level is N1.

N4 and N5 measure the level of understanding of basic Japanese mainly learned in class. N1and N2 measure the level of understanding of Japanese used in a broad range of scenes in actual everyday life. N3 is a bridging level between N1/N2 and N4/N5.

Linguistic competence required for the JLPT is expressed in terms of language activities, such as Reading and Listening, as shown in the table below. While not noted in the table, Language Knowledge, such as Vocabulary and Grammar, is also required for successful execution of these activities.

Courses cover:

Course Level Textbook Contents Time Price
JLPT N5 - N1 Original Reading, Listening, Vocabulary, Grammar Saturday 3:00-4:50 (8weeks) $360

Why you need JLPT?

If you wish to study at university/work at a company in Japan, you need to pass JLPT N2 at least. N2 reveals that you are able to communicate in Japanese in general conversation and understand some topics in specific fields. N1 requires you to comprehend Japanese language as well as Japanese society. They expect that you can communicate with Japanese people like native Japanese. Though more companies and communities have Enligh (and other language) speakers, Japanese is must item for your life in Japan like Japanese people are expected to communicate in English in Australian society.

On the other hand, N5, N4 and N3 are usually used for benchmarks and/or target of your Japanese study, and they assess you how much you can communicate in Japanese in general conversation. You can use JLPT as a reference of your Japanese.


How can you study for JLPT?

JLPT is, of course, one of the exams to assess your language proficiency in Japanese. So it would not be enough if you just go through the textbook you are using for General Japanese lesson. What is so different? You can build up your vocabulary and grammar structures with General Japanese textbook. But how they assess is different from questions and exercises in your textbook!

Your textbook ask you:

つぎの たんごの いみは なんですか。(What is the meaning of the following word?)

1. To work:

And the answer is 「はたらきます/しごとをします/つとめます」.

In JLPT, they would ask you:

つぎの ぶんと だいたい おなじいみの ぶんは 1~4の どれですか。

マイクさんは スーパーで しごとをしています。

1.マイクさんは スーパーで あるいています。

2.マイクさんは スーパーで やすんでいます。

3.マイクさんは スーパーで はたらいています。

4.マイクさんは スーパーで かいものをしています。

And the answer is 3. They do not ask the meaning directly but do synonyms. If you have no idea about the style of exam, you do not know what to do during exam. Also, JLPT consist of Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading, and Listening part. You need to be familiar with the questions.
Let’s exercise with sample questions.

In JLPT Preparation course at BBICollege, students are expected to have finished learning grammar structures of each level. Of course, the teacher will explain them if you do not understand or have not studied before for some reasons. But we will focus on study tips to answer the questions rather than spend time to study grammar structures and vocabulary which you can study at General Japanese course or by yourself.
You can also try online sample questions. JLPT official association does not provide past papers of each year. Instead of that, they publishes official practice workbook which selected questions from the past three years as a past paper. They are available online as well as booklet.

JLPT in Australia

JLPT is held twice a year, July and December in more than 270 cities all over the world. In Australia, you have those opportunities to take the Test.
Please see the schedule as below


Adelaide Brisbane Canberra Melbourne Perth Sydney
July - - - -
December -

To apply for JLPT, visit JLPT Australia website to complete application form and payment.

N1, N2, N3: $90.00
N4, N5: $80.00

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test Administration, School of Humanities and Languages, The University of New South Wales is your test venue in Sydney.


Recommend!
Why don’t you try our Cultural Workshop before applying! We can offer suitable work shop for you.

JLPT course : Business manner series
Also you can get FREE LEVEL CHECK during the workshop, the trainer will assess your Japanese level if you want. Then you can have a short discussion with the trainer about your study plan of Japanese.
See more details on Workshop page.

The information about JLPT below is from JLPT official site

Level A summary of linguistic competence required for each level
N1 The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances.
Reading One is able to read writings with logical complexity and/or abstract writings on a variety of topics, such as newspaper editorials and critiques, and comprehend both their structures and contents.
One is also able to read written materials with profound contents on various topics and follow their narratives as well as understand the intent of the writers comprehensively.
Listening One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures, spoken at natural speed in a broad variety of settings, and is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents comprehensively. One is also able to understand the details of the presented materials such as the relationships among the people involved, the logical structures, and the essential points.
N2 The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree.
Reading One is able to read materials written clearly on a variety of topics, such as articles and commentaries in newspapers and magazines as well as simple critiques, and comprehend their contents.
One is also able to read written materials on general topics and follow their narratives as well as understand the intent of the writers.
Listening One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations and news reports, spoken at nearly natural speed in everyday situations as well as in a variety of settings, and is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents.
One is also able to understand the relationships among the people involved and the essential points of the presented materials.
N3 The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree.
Reading One is able to read and understand written materials with specific contents concerning everyday topics.
One is also able to grasp summary information such as newspaper headlines.
In addition, one is also able to read slightly difficult writings encountered in everyday situations and understand the main points of the content if some alternative phrases are available to aid one’s understanding.
Listening One is able to listen and comprehend coherent conversations in everyday situations, spoken at near-natural speed, and is generally able to follow their contents as well as grasp the relationships among the people involved.
N4 The ability to understand basic Japanese.
Reading One is able to read and understand passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji.
Listening One is able to listen and comprehend conversations encountered in daily life and generally follow their contents, provided that they are spoken slowly.
N5 The ability to understand some basic Japanese.
Reading One is able to read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji.
Listening One is able to listen and comprehend conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life and classroom situations, and is able to pick up necessary information from short conversations spoken slowly.

Japanese Course

BBIC Japanese Language School provides a variety of classes. General Japanese (Beginner/Upper-Beginner/Pre-Intermediate/Intermediate/Advanced), Travel Japanese, JLPT preparation, HSC Preparation, Private Japanese Lesson. Our Japanese group lesson and private lesson can commit your needs and goals of your Japanese study through intensive teaching method with the most affordable price in Sydney.

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