The Japanese Language NAT-TEST is an examination that measures the Japanese language ability of students who are not native Japanese speakers. The tests are separated by difficulty (five levels) and general ability is measured in three categories: Grammar/Vocabulary, Listening and Reading Comprehension. The format of the exam and the types of questions are equivalent to those that appear on the Japanese Language Ability Test (JLPT).
JLPT Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. The JLPT has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. The easiest level is N5 and the most difficult level is N1. N4 and N5 measure the level of understanding of basic Japanese mainly learned in class.
JLPT Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. The JLPT has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. The easiest level is N5 and the most difficult level is N1. N4 and N5 measure the level of understanding of basic Japanese mainly learned in class.
Level
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Linguistic Competencies
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|
N1
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The ability to understand Japanese used in a
variety of circumstances.
|
|
Reading
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One is able to read writings with logical
complexity and/or abstract writings on a variety of topics, such as newspaper
editorials and critiques, and comprehend both their structures and contents.
One is also able to read written materials with
profound contents on various topics and follow their narratives as well as
understand the intent of the writers comprehensively.
|
|
Listening
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One is able to comprehend orally presented
materials such as coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures, spoken
at natural speed in a broad variety of settings, and is able to follow their
ideas and comprehend their contents comprehensively. One is also able to
understand the details of the presented materials such as the relationships
among the people involved, the logical structures, and the essential points.
|
|
N2
|
The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and
in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree.
|
|
Reading
|
One is able to read materials written clearly on
a variety of topics, such as articles and commentaries in newspapers and
magazines as well as simple critiques, and comprehend their contents.
One is also able to read written materials on
general topics and follow their narratives as well as understand the intent
of the writers.
|
|
Listening
|
One is able to comprehend orally presented
materials such as coherent conversations and news reports, spoken at nearly
natural speed in everyday situations as well as in a variety of settings, and
is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents. One is also able
to understand the relationships among the people involved and the essential
points of the presented materials.
|
|
N3
|
The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a
certain degree.
|
|
Reading
|
One is able to read and understand written
materials with specific contents concerning everyday topics.
One is also able to grasp summary information
such as newspaper headlines.
In addition, one is also able to read slightly
difficult writings encountered in everyday situations and understand the main
points of the content if some alternative phrases are available to aid one’s
understanding.
|
|
Listening
|
One is able to listen and comprehend coherent
conversations in everyday situations, spoken at near-natural speed, and is
generally able to follow their contents as well as grasp the relationships
among the people involved.
|
|
N4
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The ability to understand basic Japanese.
|
|
Reading
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One is able to read and understand passages on
familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji.
|
|
Listening
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One is able to listen and comprehend
conversations encountered in daily life and generally follow their contents,
provided that they are spoken slowly.
|
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N5
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The ability to understand some basic Japanese.
|
|
Reading
|
One is able to read and understand typical
expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji.
|
|
Listening
|
One is able to listen and comprehend
conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life and classroom
situations, and is able to pick up necessary information from short
conversations spoken slowly.
|
- Kathmandu Test Center
- JALTAN - Japanese Language Teacher's Association in Nepal
source: jalpt.jp