Can somebody answer a few questions for me about the Japanese Proficiency Test? For example:

1) Is this test for anybody that's interested, or is it more for people who need it as part of their job, like the CPA exam?

2) Is there a fee to take the test, and if so, how much is it?

3) Where in L.A. is the test given? At a hotel, school, convention center?

4) Besides the educational aspect of it, is there any advantage to taking the test if you're not interested in teaching Japanese as a language? That is, if I passed through Level 2, for example, would it make a difference on my resume? Is it something that people know about and understand its importance - like John Doe, CPA or Jane Doe, CFA?

5) Is there tutoring available for the test? If so, who or what company is reputable to use? Also, is tutoring even recommended?

6) Finally, where can I get some more written literature on this?

Thanks for any responses!

Moccona wrote:

As for the proficiency test, you can't take 'level 2 in the morning and level 1 in the afternoon'. Simply because.. well, the site itself says clearly in the FAQ: Q2 Can I take two different levels at a time? A2 No you can only take one level.

i think u can take 2 levels as long as they dont crash, a lot of my frens took 2 levels at a time, 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon...bt it is very taxing

himitsu wrote:

i think u can take 2 levels as long as they dont crash, a lot of my frens took 2 levels at a time, 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon...bt it is very taxing :sweat: :rolleyes2:

It may depend where you are - but in the UK they will crash 100% of the time. The JLPT tests are always held on the same afternoon starting and finishing at the same time.

[quote="Nihon-jin"]Can somebody answer a few questions for me about the Japanese Proficiency Test? For example:

1) Is this test for anybody that's interested, or is it more for people who need it as part of their job, like the CPA exam?

I do take both the CPA and JLPT test. For JLPT, it is personal interest and to test my japanese level.For CPA, definitely it is more work related.

2) Is there a fee to take the test, and if so, how much is it?

Different level, different fee. around $30 ( singapore dollars for level 3)

3) Where in L.A. is the test given? At a hotel, school, convention center?

I took in Singapore and it was in a Japanese School

4) Besides the educational aspect of it, is there any advantage to taking the test if you're not interested in teaching Japanese as a language? That is, if I passed through Level 2, for example, would it make a difference on my resume? Is it something that people know about and understand its importance - like John Doe, CPA or Jane Doe, CFA?

In Singapore, Japanese speaking accounting related positions, you must have at least level 2 and plus several years of working experience.As for sales enigneer japanese positions, you can be a fresh graduate and needs only JLPT level 3 certificate. Therefore I think it depends on the market demand.

5) Is there tutoring available for the test? If so, who or what company is reputable to use? Also, is tutoring even recommended?

In Singapore, all the langages school, there will open JLPT revision class when the registration starts for JLPT exam.

6) Finally, where can I get some more written literature on this?

In Japanese bookstores, there are books where you can buy past years papers to test yourselves.

Hi everyone! I took level 2 exam in Japan about five years ago and and althought I passed it I think it was pretty difficult - not for the kanji, you just need to study hard for that, but for reading and listening which I think are the most difficult parts of the exam.
One year later I had a go for level 1 and and I failed for 8 points!
70% to pass is too hard!!
I felt so dissapointed I don't think I will try again. Specially taking into account I havne't study japanese for three years now.

I think you'd better take level 2 and when you go to Japan try to get level 1.

Akakumori wrote:

Hi everyone! I took level 2 exam in Japan about five years ago and and althought I passed it I think it was pretty difficult - not for the kanji, you just need to study hard for that, but for reading and listening which I think are the most difficult parts of the exam. One year later I had a go for level 1 and and I failed for 8 points! 70% to pass is too hard!! I felt so dissapointed I don't think I will try again. Specially taking into account I havne't study japanese for three years now. I think you'd better take level 2 and when you go to Japan try to get level 1.

Not to be mean or anything, but with an attitude like that, you're never going to learn Japanese.

Think about it, most Japanese people that take that test are going to get at least 95%, if not 100%. If you want to learn to speak Japanese, just knowing 70% of the language is not enough. You shouldn't study a language so you can pass some "test."

That, and your message is not very encouraging for other people who maybe failed the test too and are feeling the same way. Don't ruin it for everyone, please.

������
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"I like the word 'indolence'. It makes my laziness seem classy."
-Bern Williams

yeah.. 70% is kind of a joke regarding languages. Strangely enough, I've never really had a problem reading and listening. Actually, my proficieny is like this, Listening > Reading > Speaking.

probably cause of my mandarin background.
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Nihon-jin wrote:

1) Is this test for anybody that's interested, or is it more for people who need it as part of their job, like the CPA exam? 2) Is there a fee to take the test, and if so, how much is it? 3) Where in L.A. is the test given? At a hotel, school, convention center? 6) Finally, where can I get some more written literature on this?

1. Anyone can take it.

2. As of 2004, levels 3-4 were $40, and levels 1-2 were $50. I don't know if it will increase in 2005.

3. When I took it in 2001, it was at the LAX Ramada in Culver City.

6. Since you are in LA, you can go to Kinokuniya and get the tests for previous years.

More information: http://www.jflalc.org/proftest/index.html

I took my Level 1 this year (errr, I mean Dec. 2004) and I passed with 80% or something I'm pretty proud, considering I had no time to prepare for it because of basketball. The listening totally saved me lol. The reading was really hard The way the word stuff... And all that kanji By the end of it, I was so tired I kinda skimmed over it without understanding the full thing and winging it Nonetheless! I still passed Good luck to anyone who is taking it!

maemo wrote:

I took my Level 1 this year (errr, I mean Dec. 2004) and I passed with 80% or something I'm pretty proud, considering I had no time to prepare for it because of basketball. The listening totally saved me lol. The reading was really hard The way the word stuff... And all that kanji By the end of it, I was so tired I kinda skimmed over it without understanding the full thing and winging it Nonetheless! I still passed Good luck to anyone who is taking it!

Wow, you got 80% on level 1? Are you a native speaker?

Yep, I should be taking level 4 during December of this year. I would take level 3, but I don't know quite what to expect. Hopefully I'll pass as well.

eightysix wrote:

Wow, you got 80% on level 1? Are you a native speaker? Yep, I should be taking level 4 during December of this year. I would take level 3, but I don't know quite what to expect. Hopefully I'll pass as well.

If you have two years Japanese, you should be able to do level 3. I know there was a list of kanji you needed to know for each level on the web. If I find that link, I'll edit this post.

useful sites my friends used when cramming for their exam (guess that's what we get for being class clowns haha )

http://www.jlpt-kanji.com/
http://www.kanjisite.com/index.html

there's another one with exams from 92-00 but i lost that one

Test coming up in December, registration starts next week: https://www.aatj.org/jlpt/