JLPT

JLPT (日本語能力試, 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.

Summer Session Exam Results

The exam results are available from 10:00 on August 26 to 17:00 on October 31 (Japan time) exclusively via link. To view the results, you will need to enter the participant registration number and the 8-digit code specified in the application form during registration. If the code is incorrect (for example, 7 digits), viewing the results online will not be available.

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 2024 exam session

The registration starts at 10 am (Moscow time) on July 15, 2024.

The registration deadline is 1 pm (Moscow time) on September 2, 2024.

Payment for the exam is accepted until 6 pm (Moscow time) on September 2, 2024.

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.

Registration for the exam in St. Petersburg

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 summer session of the JLPT exam. This is caused by the difficulties in sending examination materials to Russia.

Registration procedure for people with disabilities

During the winter session, the exam will be organized for all categories of citizens, including persons with disabilities. Please review the application information.

  1. In addition to registration, you must fill out and send special application form (it is enough to send only the first page)
  2. You also need to attach the documents listed on page 2 of the special application form

Webinar

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

Exam preparation materials

St Petersburg University By-laws