Current Events > Anybody register for the JLPT?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I know at least a couple other people here are studying Japanese although we havent had a general topic in a while. This is my first time taking one. I registered for the N1, I dont really feel confident for it but the N2 seemed a bit below my level based on practice tests so I figured I might as well go big. Still got a couple months at least. As long as they dont go too hard on obscure grammar points I might be okay.

Why are you looking to take the N1/JLPT in general? I'm in a similar spot, but between N4/N3. I'll either sign up for the N3 or wait until next year. I want to move there, but to do that I need to get a job at a software company. I could practice and get to a business level, but I feel it would be more realistic to start at an English speaking company there while I continue studying. I think having some Japanese proficiency would look better on my resume, but don't think it's worth it for me to take the N4.

AablMind posted...

Why are you looking to take the N1/JLPT in general? I'm in a similar spot, but between N4/N3. I'll either sign up for the N3 or wait until next year. I want to move there, but to do that I need to get a job at a software company. I could practice and get to a business level, but I feel it would be more realistic to start at an English speaking company there while I continue studying. I think having some Japanese proficiency would look better on my resume, but don't think it's worth it for me to take the N4.

If it means anything most companies don't even consider N5 or N4 for anything so if you're doing it to help with a job then you might as well wait until you're ready for the N3 exam. N1 and N2 are the top tier though and a lot of companies will be interested if they see that.

Are the sign ups now? How long do you have to sign up?

This gonna be muzukushi

AablMind posted...

Why are you looking to take the N1/JLPT in general? I'm in a similar spot, but between N4/N3. I'll either sign up for the N3 or wait until next year. I want to move there, but to do that I need to get a job at a software company. I could practice and get to a business level, but I feel it would be more realistic to start at an English speaking company there while I continue studying. I think having some Japanese proficiency would look better on my resume, but don't think it's worth it for me to take the N4.

Honestly I'm just curious as to whether or not I could pass it, there are no real stakes riding on it for me. I never felt the need or urge to take any of the previous levels, but this time around I just kinda felt like, "why not?". I'm also pursuing a career in software and might be down to move to Japan at some point, so it'll be nice to have if/when I get to that point, but certainly not within the next year.

Like @NinjaWarrior455 said, I've heard most Japanese-speaking companies seem to only really be interested in N1 or N2 qualifications, so I doubt an N3 would be of much use there. If you're starting at an English speaking company though, I really don't know if they'd care about having any level of the JLPT, but having one certainly couldn't hurt. Either way, I don't think the earlier levels are entirely pointless. You'll get a feel for the formatting of the test and everything, which could help prepare you a bit for the higher-level tests. In your case I'd definitely take some level of JLPT this year, even if just for that reason alone.

Sayoria posted...

Are the sign ups now? How long do you have to sign up?

Registration for LEVEL N1 opened on Wednesday, August 10, at 9:00 AM Pacific time. If you are taking any other level, you will not be able to reserve a seat at this time.
Registration for LEVEL N2 will open on Friday, August 12, at 9:00 AM Pacific time.
Registration for LEVEL N3 will open on Monday, August 15, at 9:00 AM Pacific time.
Registration for LEVEL N4 will open on Wednesday, August 17 , at 9:00 AM Pacific time.
Registration for LEVEL N5 will open on Friday, August 19, at 9:00 AM Pacific time.
Registration will close on Tuesday, September 13, at 5:00 PM Pacific time, or when all seats at all test sites are filled, if that is sooner.

If you're considering taking it I'd recommend registering ASAP, N1 went live yesterday and seats are already completely filled at the location I signed up for. And higher level tests are more popular so will likely fill out even faster. Here's where you register: https://jlpt.us/

Eh, I'm not N1 level at all. If anything, N4 at best. But always been curious to see if I could pass one. Thanks for the note. I always forget about these things until after the deadlines. I have time to think about it this year now.

Sayoria posted...

Eh, I'm not N1 level at all. If anything, N4 at best. But always been curious to see if I could pass one. Thanks for the note. I always forget about these things until after the deadlines. I have time to think about it this year now.

No problem. I worded it really poorly but by higher level I meant the actual number rather than difficulty, so N4 should theoretically fill out faster than N1, and N5 the fastest. You can see how many seats are remaining at each location here for the N1, which might help you gauge how quickly seats will fill for the other levels at your particular location: https://jlpt.us/site-listing/N1

Sorry if it comes across like I'm pressuring you to take it lol, just figured this stuff would be worth taking into consideration in regards to registering. And good luck if you do decide to take it!

my brother did one, either N2 or N3 (I forget) and said it was super easy and regretted not just doing N1

I passed N1 last December. I was thinking about retaking it until I can get a perfect score but it's probably more stress than it's worth.