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Japanese Language Proficiency Test

JLPT Requirements
LevelKanjiWordsConversationHours of study
4~100~800Simple~150
3~300~1,500Everyday~300
2~1000~6,000Near-native~600
1~2000~10,000Native~900
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (or simply JLPT), is a standardized test to validate a person's Japanese language proficiency (listening, reading, and writing). It was created in 1984, in response to growing demand for standardized Japanese language certification for primarily non-native speakers.

The JLPT is offered by the Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ) inside of Japan, and the Japan Foundation outside of Japan. As of 2001, the JLPT was offered in 37 countries, including Japan. Of the 227,593 examinees, 46.8%, or 106,613 were certified for their respective level.

The test itself has four levels of difficulty, ranging from level one (native speaking level) to level four (reached after approximately 100 hours of study).

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See also: Foreign Service Level 3