Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験)

Last Saturday (Dec. 7) I took the JLPT at Meijo University near Shiogamaguchi Station in Nagoya. Over the last few weeks we have been taking practice test to familiarize ourselves with the test. Unlike the SATs and ACTs, the practice test had literally exactly the layout for the answer sheets, and questions. I wasn't expecting them to be that similar to each other.

I took the level four test; the lowest offered. I'm pretty sure I will pass it, but you never know. It seemed like it was easier than the practice tests.

Some interesting things about the test:
1) The actual test itself was only about 2 hours, but we got there at about 9am and left at about 2:15pm. There was A LOT of sitting and waiting, and waiting and waiting. Despite all of the waiting, it was better than the ACTs/SATs because those are long, with short breaks and determine what college you get into, scholarships, financial aid, etc. Your brain gets fried after 4 solid hours of stressful math, science, reading, and writing work (or whatever else they have on them).

2) The test was administered over the PA system...strange, but effective i suppose.


More info on the JLPT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Language_Proficiency_Test