JLPT

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

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), or Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken, is an international exam evaluating and certifying Japanese language proficiency for non-native speakers.

In Japan, JLPT is administered by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. Overseas, the Japan Foundation co-proctors test administration with local cultural exchange and/or educational institutions.

In St Petersburg, the Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken exam sessions are held twice a year – on the first Sunday of December and July.

Candidates who successfully pass the exam receive a Certificate of Japanese-Language Proficiency, which is accepted in most public organisations and educational institutions in Japan.

Exam format

The JLPT test has five levels: N1; N2; N3; N4; and N5, with N1 being the highest – CEFR level C1 (advanced) and N5 the lowest – CEFR level A1 (beginner).

Regardless of the level, the test comprises of three parts: Vocabulary (Japanese logographic characters kanji); Grammar and Reading; and Listening.

Samples questions of the JLPT exam are available on the official JLPT website.

Exam fees

N1 — 4 500 roubles
N2 — 4 000 roubles
N3 — 3 700 roubles
N4 — 3 400 roubles
N5 — 3 100 roubles

Registration for the winter 2023 exam session

The registration starts at 9 am (Moscow time) on 4 September 2023.

The registration deadline is 3 pm (Moscow time) on 5 October 2023.

Applications submitted earlier and/or later than these deadlines will not be considered.

All applications are considered in order of priority.

Please note that a refund for the provision of the examination service is provided only in the event that the ENTIRE examination session is canceled for reasons beyond the control of St Petersburg University (for example, the impossibility of delivering examination materials from Japan to Russia, the pandemic and the restrictions caused by it, other reasons)!

In the event that the entire examination session is canceled for reasons beyond the control of the parties to the examination (for example, difficulties with the delivery of examination materials to Russia), relevant information letters with further instructions will be sent to all candidates.

Online registration

The Language Testing Centre at St Petersburg University opens online registration for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. To register for the JLPT exam online, you will need to download the Application Form and complete it in English capital letters. You can also download the Test Guide and and a sample of a properly completed application form below. You will need to have a PDF reader installed on your computer. This will enable you to fill in the questionnaire in pdf format.

Registration for the exam

In 2023, registration is carried out ONLY via link.

After you fill in all the fields, a specialist from the SPbU Language Testing Center will contact you via the e-mail specified in the application. We remind you that all applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, so we strongly recommend that you do not register at the last moment.

If you have technical difficulties when registering on the platform, you can contact the Language Testing Center at emb. Lieutenant Schmidt, house 11, office 210 or by phone 325 11 24.

Unfortunately, individuals who need to participate in the exam under special conditions cannot be registered for the winter session of the JLPT exam. This is caused by the difficulties in sending examination materials to Russia.»

Summer exam results

Exam results are available from August 21, 10:00 AM to October 31, 5:00 PM (Japanese time) only via https://www.jlpt-overseas.jp/onlineresults/.

To view the results, you need to enter the registration number of the participant and the 8-digit code specified in the questionnaire during registration. If the code is entered incorrectly (for example, 7 digits), the online results will not be available.»

Webinar

A webinar on the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test is available here.