GUIDE TO THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST

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ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, JAPAN
1. Objectives
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test will be held both in Japan and abroad to evaluate and certify
the proficiency in Japanese of non-native speakers.
2. Administrative Organization
The Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ) administers the Test in Japan. The Japan
Foundation (Interchange Association in Taiwan) will work with local host institutions to administer
overseas.
3. Eligibility
Applicants should be non-native speakers of Japanese.
4. Test Date
December 7 (Sunday), 2003
5. Test Sites (Planned)
Hokkaido, Miyagi, Tochigi, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Toyama, Nagano, Shizuoka, Saitama, Aichi, Kyoto,
Osaka, Hyogo, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Fukuoka, Okinawa
6. Contents of the Test
The test has four different levels; the examinee should choose the level that corresponds to his or her
ability and training. Each test is comprised of three sections: writing and vocabulary; listening; reading and
grammar. The contents and criteria of the test are as follows:
Contents
Level
Sections Hours Points
Criteria
Writing-Vocabulary 45 minutes 100 points
Listening 45 minutes 100 points
Reading-Grammar 90 minutes 200 points
Level 1
Total 180 minutes 400 points
The examinee should have mastered grammar at
high level, about 2,000 Kanji and 10,000 words,
and have an integrated command of the language
sufficient for living in Japanese society and
providing a useful base for study at a Japanese
university. This level is normally reached after
studying Japanese for about 900 hours.
Writing-Vocabulary 35 minutes 100 points
Listening 40 minutes 100 points
Reading-Grammar 70 minutes 200 points
Level 2
Total 145 minutes 400 points
The examinee should have mastered grammar at
relatively high level, about 1,000 Kanji and 6,000
words, and have the ability to converse, read and
write about matters of a general nature. This level
is normally reached after studying Japanese for
about 600 hours and finishing an intermediate
course.
Writing-Vocabulary 35 minutes 100 points
Listening 35 minutes 100 points
Reading-Grammar 70 minutes 200 points
Level 3
Total 140 minutes 400 points
The examinee should have mastered basic
grammar, about 300 Kanji and 1,500 words, and
have the ability to take part in everyday
conversation and to read and write simple
sentences. This level is normally reached after
studying Japanese for about 300 hours and
finishing an elementary course.
Writing-Vocabulary 25 minutes 100 points
Listening 25 minutes 100 points
Reading-Grammar 50 minutes 200 points
Level 4
Total 100 minutes 400 points
The examinee should have mastered the
elements of grammar, about 100 Kanji and 800
words, and have the ability to engage in simple
conversation and to read and write short, simple
sentences. This level is normally reached after
studying Japanese for about 150 hours and
finishing the first half of an elementary course.
Pass
grade
70%
Pass
grade
60%
Pass
grade
60%
Pass
grade
60%
7. Methods of Application
(1) Application Form: The booklet will be on sale on and after July 7 (Monday),
2003(planned) at major bookstores in Japan for 510 yen per copy (planned). For
the storelist, please see the AIEJ website.
(2) Test Fee: 5,300yen (must be paid using the prescribed postal transfer order form)
(3) Application Period: July 7 (Monday) to September 19 (Friday), 2003
(Applications postmarked after September 19, 2003 will NOT be accepted).
(4) Delivery of Test Voucher: Scheduled for November 7 (Friday), 2003 (planned)
8. Scoring Standard
For the fiscal year 2000, the passing score was 70 % or higher for level 1, and 60% or higher for levels 2, 3, and
4. About the same passing scores are scheduled for fiscal 2002. If any adjustments are made, they will not be
to the disadvantage of examinees.
9. Announcement of Test Results
(1) All examinees will receive their score reports of the test by level.
(2) Successful examinees will also receive certificates of proficiency.
(3) Certificates of Proficiency and official test results will be sent in middle of February, 2003 (planned).
(4) Reports to universities and junior colleges:
The Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ) will send the examinee’s score to the
universities and junior colleges upon their request for examinees who took the Test at cities abroad where
the AIEJ does not administer “Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students”.