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Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) 2008 Part 1

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The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験), or JLPT, is a standardized test to evaluate and certify the language proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers. It is held once every year, on the first Sunday of December. The JLPT has four levels beginning at level 4 and progressing to level 1 – the most difficult. The Japan Foundation estimates that level 4 is reached after approximately 150 hours of study and level 1 after approximately 900 hours of study.

It was announced that the newly revised test would be administered starting in December 2009. However, due to the progress of the revisions, the introductions of the new test has been postponed until 2010.

With over 3 million people around the world studying Japanese, there is a growing desire worldwide for the JLPT to be offered more than once a year. Starting in 2009, the current JLPT will be held twice a year before the new test is introduced in 2010. In July of 2009, the current Level 1 and Level 2 tests will be offered, followed by all four levels in December of 2009. Testing in July will be conducted in Japan as well as in a limited number of locations in China and elsewhere overseas.

Kanji, 漢字