JLPT is the test taken to examine the Japanese-language proficiency of those whose native language is not Japanese. Now, it has become the largest Japanese-language test in the world, with nearly 610,000 examinees in 62 countries and areas worldwide in 2011. The latest JLPT test consists of Five Levels where 5 is the lowest and 1 is the highest level of certification.
Test Levels
Implemented from 2010 JLPT has five levels of test named as N1(Advanced level), N2(Upper-Intermediate), N3(Intermediate), N4(Elementary), N5(Basic). N1 being the highest level and N5 being the lowest. Each test is divided into two categories i.e. Reading and writing.
Pass Marks
To pass the examination one requires to achieve a pass mark for the overall test and passing each section individually; the result is based on the proportional scores. The sectional scores are to establish the balance between skills. One cannot pass by doing well on the written section but poorly on the listening section. The overall pass mark varies according to the test level 100/180 (55.55%) for the N1 and 80/180 (44.44%) for the N5. The pass marks for individual sections are all 19/60 = 31.67% and equivalently, 38/120 = 19/60 for the large section on the N4 and N5. These standards were adopted starting in July 2010, and do not differ from year to year.