Soo... about this JPLT test.

[Emoni]

I've probably spelled it wrong, but I can't remember the correct abrev. I'm trying to find a little more info about it as I know it is pretty much the legal measure of how well someone can truly speak Japanese it seems.

Is there a website for example tests, more info? Maybe some of you have taken it and can explain what it is and what level you need to be before attempting it? (I'm no where near even the lowest level probably). I'll probably try to take it, if possible, in a year or two before I do any study abroad programs in Japan so I wanted to get a heads up now if that is doable.

Thanks.

 

[Mike Cash]

Levels 4 and 3 are pretty pointless, other than to give someone who passed them a warm feeling of accomplishment.

 

[Elizabeth]

Emoni,

A search of this site on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test should give you plenty of interactive practice tests and materials on which to test your mettle. No oral performance required, though, so technically it isn't a measure of how well you speak.

 

[Emoni]

Ahhh, so thats what the letters stand for ;P Me not smurt sometimes.

Looked through some of the search material that came up. Anyone here take the different levels of JLPT? Are the passing of the tests used only for college enterances or company requirements? What level is considered fluency?

Guess I'm looking for first hand opinions as of now rather than referance material.

 

[Mike Cash]

I took Level 2 in about '96, I think it was. I only took it because a coworker at the time didn't want to go alone to take it and bugged me to go along too.

My biggest impression of my fellow test-takers was that most people would rather fail a higher level than pass a lower one.

As Elizabeth said, it doesn't test speaking ability, so no level of it is any indication of "fluency".

I have included the qualification on my 履歴書 many times in the past, and have never had a Japanese employer give the slightest indication that they had ever heard of the JLPT at all. They were more interested in what proficiency I was able to actually demonstrate in person than what I could show on a certificate anyway. I have no idea if there are employers outside Japan who may be impressed by it.

Just wait until you get to Japan and find out what a joke the 英検 system is.

 

[Ewok85]

Eiken is amusing Its only useful point is that you can compare it to your JLPT and make it sound good.

Did 2nd grade last year.

Noone here knows what it is and I doubt it'll do me much good in Japan... i guess thats what interviews are for eh?

 

[Mike Cash]

Eiken is amusing Its only useful point is that you can compare it to your JLPT and make it sound good.

Did 2nd grade last year.

Noone here knows what it is and I doubt it'll do me much good in Japan... i guess thats what interviews are for eh?

I get the results of my Japanese language proficiency test on the 5th of every month.