What is the JLPT? (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT; Japanese: 日本語能力試験 nihongo nōryoku shiken), is a standardized test to evaluate a person's Japanese language proficiency - primarily in reading and listening. The JLPT was first held in 1984, in response to growing demand for standardized Japanese language certification for non-native speakers. Up until 2003 it was one of the requirements for foreigners entering a Japanese University, since then the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is used by most universities for this purpose.

The JLPT is offered by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) inside of Japan, and the Japan Foundation outside of Japan. In 2004, the JLPT was offered in 40 countries, including Japan. Of the 302,198 examinees in that year, 47% (around 140,000) were certified for their respective level.

The test has four levels of difficulty, ranging from level four (reached after approximately 150 hours of study) to level one (reached after approximately 900 hours of study). There is no actual writing in the test, as all of the questions are multiple choice. The questions classified as writing involve choosing the correct word or grammar element to complete a sentence, or choosing which kanji is used in a particular word.

The test is held once every year on the first Sunday of December. The next test will be on the 3rd of December 2006, and the one thereafter on the 2nd of December 2007.

Level	Content			Criteria
	Sections	Min	Points
1	Writing, vocabulary Listening Reading - Grammar Total	45 45 90 180	100 100 200 400	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
2	Writing, vocabulary Listening Reading - Grammar Total	35 40 70 145	100 100 200 400	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
3	Writing, vocabulary Listening Reading - Grammar Total	35 35 70 140	100 100 200 400	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.
4	Writing, vocabulary Listening Reading - Grammar Total	25 25 50 100	100 100 200 400	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.

This article has been made thanks to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Language_Proficiency_Test and http://www.jees.or.jp/jlpt/en/jlpt_guide.html .