J-Test – a Test of Practical Japanese
J Test vs. JLPT: What’s the Difference?
The J Test is a test begun in 1991 that, like the JLPT, aims at testing one’s Japanese proficiency. The J Test is considered a bit harder than the JLPT because of its focus on listening and writing skills as well as reading and vocabulary. Due to its nature, the J Test more accurately tests a person’s communicative proficiency than the JLPT, particularly for higher level learners of Japanese. Other key differences between the two tests are summarized below.
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JLPT |
J TEST |
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| Cost | ¥5,500 registration fee + ¥500 to buy application | ¥3,600 registration fee for A-F levels; ¥4,500 for “Business J Test” level |
| When | Held 2 times a year: July and December, at select locations around the world | Held 6 times a year for A-D levels (Jan., March, May, July, Sept., and Nov.), and 3 times a year for E-F levels (March, July, Nov.) in Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, S. Korea, India, and Mongolia |
| Sections | -Listening comprehension, -Reading comprehension (grammar/vocab) |
-Listening comprehension, -Reading comprehension (grammar/vocab), -Writing section |
| Levels | N1 (highest) → N5 (lowest) | A (highest) → F (lowest) and “Business J Test” for highest learning levels of Japanese |
| Scoring | Scores are given out of 180 points: N1 – overall 100 pts to pass, min. 19 pts in each section to pass N2 – overall 90 pts with min. 19 pts in each section N3 – overall 95 pts with min. 19 pts in each section N4 – overall 90 pts with min. 38 pts in Reading and 19 pts in Listening N5 – overall 80 pts with min. 38 pts in Reading and 19 pts in Listening |
A-D levels Scores given out of 1000 pts for 2 sections (must score min. 20% on each of the sections): Special A* – 930 pts or higher A* – 900-930 pts Pre-A – 850-900 pts B – 800-850 pts Pre-B – 700-800 pts C – 600-700 pts D – 500-600 pts E-F levels Scores given out of 500 pts for 2 sections (must score min. 20% on each of the sections): E – 350 pts or greater F – 250-350 pts |
| Results | About 2 months to receive results | About a month to receive results |
*Note: The Special A and A levels may be advertised as “Interpreter Level” but they do not provide you with an actual interpreter’s certification for Japanese.