Japanese Language Proficiency Test

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験, Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken?), or JLPT, is a standardized criterion-referenced test to evaluate and certify Japanese language proficiency for non-native speakers, covering language knowledge, reading ability, and listening ability. The test is held twice a year in Japan and selected countries (on the first Sunday of July and December), and once a year in other regions (on the first Sunday of December).

The JLPT was expanded to five levels in 2010, characterized as follows:

• N1: The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances
• N2: The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree
• N3: The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree
• N4: The ability to understand basic Japanese
• N5: The ability to understand some basic Japanese

Until 2009, the test had four levels, with the old Level 3 and Level 4 corresponding to the current Level N4 and Level N5 respectively. In the change to the new level system, a new Level N3 was inserted between the old Levels 2 and 3. The examination for Level N1 was expanded to cover higher-level content, but the passing standard for Level N1 remained approximately the same as the old Level 1.