JLPT Japanese Language Proficiency Test exam

Since 2010, the test has had five levels. The language skills required for each level are described below.

N1: Comprehension of Japanese in most situations.

Reading:

• Ability to read texts with somewhat complex logic or a high degree of abstraction on a variety of subjects (newspaper editorials, reviews) and understand their structure and content.
• Ability to read works that are deep in content and on a variety of subjects, to follow the thread and understand the author's intention accurately.

Listening:

• Ability to listen to spoken Japanese at a natural rate of speech and in a variety of situations (logical conversation, information, lectures), to follow the thread and understand the content, to grasp the logical structure and argumentation accurately and the relationships between speakers.

N2: Comprehension of Japanese in everyday situations and, at a fairly satisfactory level, in a variety of other contexts.

Reading:

• Ability to read clearly argued texts on a variety of subjects (newspaper or magazine articles, simple commentaries or reviews) and understand their content.
• Ability to read works on general topics, follow the thread and understand the author's intention.

Listening:

• Ability to listen to spoken Japanese (logical conversation, information) at near-normal speaking speed and in a variety of contexts in addition to everyday situations, follow the thread and understand the content, grasp the argument as well as the relationships between speakers.

N3: Fairly satisfactory understanding of Japanese used in everyday situations.

Reading:

• Ability to read and understand texts with concrete content on current topics.
• Ability to understand the main thrust of information from newspaper headlines in particular.
• Ability to understand a slightly complex text from an everyday situation and to grasp the main points with the help of rephrasing.

Listening:

• Ability to listen to a logical conversation in an everyday situation and at near-normal speaking speed, to grasp the approximate concrete content and relationships between speakers.

N4: Comprehension of basic Japanese.

Reading:

• Ability to read and understand a text on a familiar topic of everyday life, written with basic vocabulary and kanji.

Listening:

• Ability to understand approximately the content of a conversation at a slow rate of speech and in an everyday situation.

N5: Comprehension of basic Japanese, to some degree.

Reading:

• Ability to read and understand typical locutions, phrases or texts written in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji used in everyday life.

Listening:

• Ability to extract the necessary information from short, slow-moving conversations in familiar everyday situations, e.g. in class or with relatives.

You can only register for one level.

• Level 1: 85 euros
• Level 2: 85 euros
• Level 3: 85 euros
• Level 4: 75 euros
• Level 5: 75 euros

Test invitations will be sent to candidates by e-mail in two stages:

1. After receipt of your complete application, you will receive confirmation of registration and allocation of your candidate number in the form of a Test Voucher
2. in mid-May.
3. From November 20 to 24: dispatch of the final test invitation.

If you find that you still haven't received your Test Voucher or your invitation one week before the test, please get in touch with our services.

Test results will be mailed to candidates in October for the July session, and in March for the December session. A certificate of aptitude will also be issued to successful candidates.

The JLPT results will be available online (subject to the validity of your password) from the end of August to the end of October for the July session, and from the end of January to the end of March for the December session. Further information will be published on the official JLPT website.

Registration requirements and limits

At what age can you register for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)?
There is no minimum age for registering for the test. However, we do not recommend registering children under 8 years of age: parents cannot enter the examination room (unless they are candidates themselves), and most candidates are adults.
There is no age limit either.

Can under-age candidates take part in the test?
Yes, under-age candidates can take part in the test. However, for candidates under the age of 14, we ask that a parent or guardian accompany them to the site for safety reasons. Candidates and staff of the test and organization sites are the only ones authorized to enter the site.

Can I take the test more than once?
Yes, there is no limit to the number of JLPT registrations. Whatever the level, whether you pass or fail, you can register as many times as you like.

I registered for the test at the last session, but couldn't make it. Can I still register for future sessions?
Yes, we do not prohibit the re-registration of absent candidates.

I registered for the test but was unable to attend. Can I defer my registration to the next session?
No. Your registration was only valid for the session you requested. If you wish to take the test at the next session, you will have to register again and pay the registration fee again.

Do you have to be an Inalco student to take the JLPT?
No, the test is open to everyone, you don't have to be a student, or enrolled in a school. The only condition is to have studied the Japanese language sufficiently to be able to attempt level N5.

Choosing the level, the JLPT session

I'm hesitating between two levels, can I register for both and take them on the same day?
No, the tests for all levels take place at the same time, it is not possible to take two levels at the same session.

I want to take the test, but I don't know which level to choose.
To assess your level, you can compare your skills against those described in the "table of skills required for each level". Select the level that comes closest to what you think you can do. If you're hesitating between two levels, we recommend that you choose the lower one to ensure a greater chance of success.
To help you, the official JLPT website offers a demonstration of the test online: Mini JLPT N1, N2, N3, N4, N5
Official workbooks, audio files for the listening exercise.

The registration period is coming to an end and I'm hesitating between two levels. Can I submit my application and choose my level later?
No, you must choose your level at the time of registration. All candidates must choose their level on registration so that we can organize the test in the best possible conditions.
No change of level will be accepted after registration.

To take the test in Paris,
The contact is the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco). The test will take place at the Maison des examens in Arcueil in December and at Inalco in July.

Registration procedures

I have completed my pre-registration online, but I still haven't received the confirmation email, is this normal?
No, the confirmation email for your pre-registration is automatic and immediate.

• Your pre-registration ended on a page confirming your registration: contact us
• You didn't get the confirmation page for your pre-registration registration: read the test guide carefully and do your pre-registration again.

An error(s) in the data prevented the correct registration of your pre-registration.

There are errors in the information I entered when I pre-registered (spelling error in the surname or first name, wrong date of birth, level envisaged,...), what can I do?
Contact us as soon as possible at testjaponais@inalco.fr, and specify the incorrect information to be rectified.

To pay the test registration fee, what payment methods are accepted?
Payment by credit card online via PAYBOXMAIL (the link is sent to you when you pre-register).

What is the purpose of the A4 envelope requested and does it need to be stamped?
The envelope is used to send you your results, so we ask you to write your name and address on it. It must be stamped at the rate of €2.50.

I sent in my complete file on time, it's mid-October and I still haven't received my candidate number or the Voucher test. Is this normal?
No, first check your spam or junk mail box, if you still haven't received anything, contact us.
(NB: To avoid receiving our emails in your spam or junk mail, you can add our email address to your contacts.)

I've received the Voucher test, what should I do?
Check that all the information given is correct, and if not, contact us.
Print your Voucher test and bring it with you on the day of the test.

What is the candidate number for?
Your candidate number allows us to keep track of your file.

It's mid-November (December sessions) / mid-June (July session) and I still haven't received my invitation. Is this normal?
No, first check the spam and junk mail in your email box, if you still haven't received anything, contact us as soon as possible.
(NB: To avoid receiving our emails in your spam or junk mail, you can add our email address to your contacts.)

The day of the test

Will I need ID on the day of the test?
Yes, ID is required, along with your Voucher test.

I haven't requested any specific accommodation for the day of the test, but for medical reasons I need to take the elevator on the day of the test, how do I go about this?
Send us your request by e-mail, so that a specific reception can be organized.

After the test

I've moved since I registered for the test, do I need to inform the JLPT coordination at Inalco?
Absolutely! Let us know of any change of address, specifying your name and candidate number, to avoid losing your results mail.

Where is the password for consulting my results online?
It's the 8-digit number you provided when you pre-registered online. You will find a reminder of this password in your pre-registration confirmation email.

It's the end of March (December sessions) / the end of October (July session) and I still haven't received my results / my friends have received their results and I haven't, is this normal?
Contact us by email specifying your name and candidate number.

About the test

Is the JLPT certificate recognized?
Yes, it is recognized for life by universities where Japanese is taught, and is often requested by employers in Japan, in all professions relating to Japan or where the Japanese language is required. The Japan Foundation, which created this test and oversees its organization every year throughout the world, is a Japanese public organization, so its test is authoritative.

Are there any JLPT preparation courses at Inalco?
Inalco offers preparation courses which start in September. You can register from mid-July.