Register for the JLPT

Posted on 19. Aug, 2008 @ 9:02 am by in Books, Language Views: 757

Time to register for the JLPT folks. The test is December 7th, all around the world.

I passed JLPT level 1 back in 2003, but I’m going to take it again as incentive to keep studying Japanese even while back here in the states. I am a slacker by nature, so I need something like a looming exam – that I paid for no less – to keep me going sometimes.

The JLPT [wiki link] is an intense, and very particular test. One of the best ways to prepare for it is to actually attempt it. And to help us out with just that, our friends over at the JapanShop.com have added new JLPT study books to their store inventory.

JLPT 3 Text

These study books each include three different past JLPT exams for their corresponding JLPT level. That means that if you buy the JLPT 3 book, you get 3 actual past JLPT level 3 exams. The books include CDs for the audio portion of the test, and the answers are all in the back.

Separate books for JLPT 1, JLPT 2, JLPT 3, and JLPT 4 are available.

With access to three practice tests you can take one test just to see if you’re considering tackling the appropriate level exam, and still have two more samples remainng to attempt throughout your preparation.

When I first took the test I had a book that included 2 sample tests (in fact it was published by the same company, this years version has simply been beefed up to include 3 rather than only 2 samples). It was a little inconvenient, because I had taken both the JLPT 2 and JLPT 1 sample exams in order to determine which level I should sign up for, and then I only had one exam to practice with. I used that exam about 3/4ths of the way through my preparation, but then I had no exams to use at the end of my study.

Three is a good number.

Note that these books give you the questions and answers, but they don’t go in depth explaining things. You’ll want to be sure that you have supplementary books that you can use to look up things that you don’t understand. In the case of Kanji, vocabulary, and idioms, a good dictionary will be all you need, but especially for grammar points you might want a JLPT grammar specific book. I recommend this “Complete Master” series book for JLPT grammar.

So who’s planning to take the test this year?

- Harvey

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  • Peter

    Hi! I really got interested in this. You said the exams are held around the world but from what I found out from the website it’s U.S only . Or am I wrong?

  • http://www.japannewbie.com Harvey

    You can even take it in Mongolia if you want.
    http://momo.jpf.go.jp/jlpt/overseas/e/list_e.html

    News from the FAQ here…

    http://www.japanese-edu.org.hk/faq_e_a.html

    Q: How often is the JLPT held?

    Once a year. Normally on the first Sunday of December.

    Starting from 2009, JLPT will be held twice, in July (for levels 1 and 2 only) and in December (for levels 1-4) at the following countries/areas: Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Other countries remain unchanged.

  • Peter

    Oh nice. Too bad Im at Portugal and not Mongolia :P Spain and France are good enough thou. Thanks for the tip. Maybe I’ll try level 4 this or next year.

  • http://www.japannewbie.com Harvey

    Hey this website has lots of study help.
    http://learning-japanese-easy.com/

    Hey Peter, too bad they don’t have the JLPT in Portugal! I would recommend taking it this year, not next year… Just because earlier the better, and one year is a long time to wait! Maybe you’ll pass 4 this year, and be able to go for level 3 next year!

    You can do it! がんばれ〜

  • http://www.jlpt-portugal.com Portugal JLPT Committee

    Dear Sirs,

    We have pleasure to inform you that the Japanese Language Proficiency Test administered by the Japan Foundation will take place for the first time in Portugal, at the city of Porto.

    JLPT is an internationally recognized qualification test for non-native speakers to evaluate their proficiency. In 2009, about 770 000 people took the test in 54 countries. In Spain almost 1.000 people are taking the test every year. In Portugal, the test is administered by the Organizing Committee of the JLPT, on behalf of the Japan Foundation.

    Date: December 5th, 2010 (Sunday)

    Place: Faculty of Literature of the the University of Porto

    Registration: August 1st – September 10th 2010

    Please refer to the site for further information.

    Site address : http://www.jlpt-portugal.com

    e-mail : jlpt.portugal@gmail.com

    We shall appreciate if you forward this information to whom it may concern.

    We thank you in advance for you kind understanding of the above. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

    Portugal JLPT Committee

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