WB048: Taking the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test
Today (July 6th), I will be sitting for the N3-level Japanese-Language Proficiency Test ("JLPT"). The JLPT started in 1984 and is jointly-administered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges & Services.
The goal of the JLPT is to test and certify the Japanese-language proficiency of students whose native language is not Japanese. There are five levels, ranging from N5 to N1 with the latter being the highest level.
Because it is a standardised and well-recognised exam, Japanese companies use the JLPT as a benchmark when assessing foreign job candidates. The English equivalent of the JLPT is the Test of English for International Communication ("TOEIC").
The JLPT is a multiple-choice exam broken up into three sections:
- Language Knowledge - Vocabulary
- Language Knowledge - Grammar & Reading
- Listening
To pass, you need to achieve a pre-determined minimum score for each section and a pre-determined minimum overall score. This means you cannot simply ace two of three sections and pass the JLPT.
The self-learning experience
The JLPT organisers do not prescribe a JLPT-specific course for candidates. Candidates are free to decide how they want to study for the JLPT.
On one end of the spectrum is what I'd consider an "institutionalised approach", i.e. enrolling in a Japanese language school and following a structured, regimented curriculum. There are no shortage of educational providers.
Like it or not, a test is not simply an assessment of one's knowledge, but also an assessment of one's test-taking capabilities. So in addition to teaching the language, the benefit of these schools is a time-tested approach on what to look out for in the test.
For example, how to spot red herrings (common in the Listening section) and strategies on how to answer questions on long comprehensions within the prescribed time limit.
On the other end of the spectrum is what I consider the "self-study" approach - the route I am taking.
Why did I take take this approach? Firstly, enrolling in a language school can be fairly expensive. And secondly, I don't like the idea of studying textbook Japanese everyday as this will get mundane very quickly.
The drawback of self-studying is you need to be very disciplined and self-motivated. I can't say these are my strong suits, but having an exam to sit for and not wanting to fail are enough to spur me on.
To self-study, some form of a structured learning approach is important. I have been referencing an N3-level grammar textbook and supplementing this with 1.5 hour Japanese language classes twice a week. I've also been making an effort to consume more Japanese content.
As I have found out a little late in the game (while doing the practise exams), my approach is not sufficient. What I currently lack is a strong dictionary of N3-level vocabulary and regular practise of all the grammar learned.
Slightly panicked, I've tried salvaging my JLPT journey by powering through more practise material in the past month. Though harrowing, I've learned that urgency and intensity are key ingredients to effective learning. For me, at least.
Why bother sitting for the JLPT?
The one drawback of the JLPT is it does not assess one's conversational capabilities. A candidate who has passed the N1 might not be able to converse fluently in Japanese.
Apart from improving your job prospects, why bother sitting for the JLPT? I have met people who "feel" they are of a certain JLPT level, yet decide not to sit for the exam. Some even say there's no point because being N1 level doesn't mean you're a native-level Japanese speaker.
To be clear, you don't need to do the JLPT, or any language exam for that matter, to be fluent in a language.
That said, I feel exams are an important, tangible goal to work towards to. These days, we are often fixated on quickly learning how to do new things but shy away from doing things well. I also believe that as humans, we are scared to find out (by doing an exam) that we just aren't that good.
Anyway, rather than ask ourselves "Why bother sitting for an exam?", we should ask ourselves "Costs aside, what is there to lose from sitting from an exam?".
To me, passing an exam is more than just about getting a certificate or having bragging rights. It is about consistently exercising the most important muscle in our human body - our brain - and being disciplined.
If you have put in the hard work to hone a craft, whether you pass or fail, there will be positive takeaways.
--Ends
