Deciding Which Level of Test to Register For

Step 1: Determine your reason for taking the test and what your goal is.

• If you are taking the test in order to put the credentials on a resume for a specific job application that is looking for some Japanese capability, take the highest level of test that you know you can perform well on. While you may think passing a higher level test would look better on your resume, it can quickly become evident when speaking to your potential employer in Japanese if you had passed that level with flying colors, or if you just barely scraped by. If you take a lower level test and excel at it, the potential employer would have room to be impressed, having expected a lower level of proficiency. Unless a specific level of Japanese proficiency is required for a job, it is better to impress employers than to disappoint them in your ability.

• If you are taking the test for your own personal benefit, without any specific immediate job goal in mind, feel more free to challenge yourself, but keep in mind that you will need to make available sufficient amount of time to study.

Step 2: Be honest to yourself about your abilities and be realistic about how much time you can commit to studying.

• Don’t be overly ambitious and attempt to take level N3 when you have only completed a single year of beginner level Japanese. At the same time, if you have completed four years of Japanese studies, have confidence in your abilities and look at taking tests N3 or higher.

Step 3: Before committing to a taking a test, ask people like Japanese friends and teachers for their advice on what level they think may be right for you.

• Remember that their word is not golden, but you should keep in mind what they say, as they may have experience with having taken the test before, or know of others who may have taken the test. Ask for their reasoning behind their opinion, and consider it.