This one’s to all students who are studying the Japanese Language with the intention of taking the JLPT. Officially announced not too long ago, there are a couple of revisions made to the test.
1. 5 levels instead of the usual 4. ( begin in 2010)
The levels will be named N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. N1, N2, N4 and N5 are JLPT 1, 2 , 3 and 4 respectively, while N3 is a level that’s supposed to bridge the current gap between JLPT 3 and 2.
2. In July the Level 1 and Level 2 test will be administered in Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. In December all level test will be administered worldwide. ( begin in 2009)
This doesn’t benefit me a single bit, since I’m not in either of the countries. I was hoping that the twice-a-year thing would be for Singapore too.
3. There will be a Reading Test (yomu shiken) and a Listening Test (kiku shiken). The former will incorporate the Writing-Vocabulary and Reading-Grammar sections of the existing tests, while the latter will take the place of the Listening section of the existing tests. ( begin in 2010)
I haven’t taken JLPT as of now, so I’m not sure how the Listening Test is like. Still, it seems like the difficultly is going to rise.
Besides these points, there are also future plans for conducting oral tests. However, from how I see it, it’s quite impossible, considering the ever-increasing vast masses of examinees.
It’s going to be harder, cost more and take more time to get that JLPT 1 certificate now, but I’m still going to go all out for it. I’m planning to take JLPT 3 this year, and hopefully, if all goes well, I can clear JLPT 1 by the time I turn 21 and get out of National Service. Damn, I really regret dropping Japanese when I was 13 >_>
What are your thoughts regarding these changes?
By the way, JLPT this year is scheduled to be on 7 December 2008, Sunday. Good luck to those taking it.
Well, I’m studying Kanji following the JLPT levels and I’m currently at JLPT2, but I never thought of actually taking the JLPT test… >_>
Interesting, they finally realized about the gap between JLPT2 and 3, and are attempting to bridge it. Ah well if I were ever to start, I guess I will begin at N4 instead of 5.
Hmm… these changes probably wouldn’t affect me - hopefully I’ll clear JLPT 1 by 2010 but in the even that I don’t, more stringent rules and harder questions usually means a better assessment of one’s Japanese ability.
Then again, if they stick to chucking archaic grammar forms at us, it’d be really no different.
My friends call it JLPT 2.5.
They’re out to cheat the participant’s money!!!
Kidding here. Actually it’s good to have that extra level since I heard that there’s high failure rate for JLPT 2.
I think they needed a level between the current 2 and 3…the difference is vast in terms of what you need to know. Not so sure about the speaking, should they decide to implement that. I’m hoping they won’t though.
53RG10 > Why not take it? There are benefits that come with having that certificate.
Panther > You’re planning to start anytime soon?
Soshi > It might not affect me too, if I manage to pass 3 this year, 2 next year and 1 in 2010.
The Sojourner > Yea that’s quite an apt description of the new level 3.
Hynavian > You took JLPT before?
Caitlin > Should they implement oral tests, we’re going to be looking at greater failure rates.
Oral tests are almost unfeasible though! Imagine the amount of paperwork and effort that needs to be put in to test hundreds of students!? OMG. They’ll need lots of energy drinks. And detachable ears, methinks.
A really big thanks for the update. I’m planning on which university modules I should take and if I didn’t know this it would screw everything up! Thanks again.
I’m taking classes for JLPT 2 and struggling with the kanji and vocabulary. Anyway from the looks of it the test will become more difficult. I found listening in JLPT 3 two years ago most difficult; imagine now it gets more weight! ^_^;
Thanks for the heads up, hopefully I won’t be affected by these changes… I’m gonna take JLPT1 this year, and if I fail, next year will just be 2009! So yeah, I really aim to pass JLPT1 before 2010, even without this announcement.
Starting is difficult. On top of not having any income I am already struggling with self-studies in just 4 years of self-study when I am supposed to have completed it in two years…of just the general education component of an American college. Japanese can wait.
Wow~
Thanks for the information given as I was researching about the revision of JLPT.
Just signed up for level 4 and to find out that there will be 5 levels in 2 years time.
Seems like I’ll have to spend even more time to complete all levels~
Good luck to you too since you’re taking level 3~