Nihongo Kentei
Nihongo Kentei(日本語検定,The Japanese Language Examination) is a test to measure knowledge and operational skills in the Japanese language, and has been held twice a year, in June and November, since 2007, with approximately 300,000 test takers a year. The test was sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in July 2011.
 | |
| Acronym | Goken |
|---|---|
| Type | Language Proficiency Test |
| Year started | 2007 |
| Languages | Japanese |
| Website | https://www.nihongokentei.jp |
Overview
It is a test that measures the overall operational ability of the Japanese language. The questions are given not only in Kanji but also in a wide range of areas such as honorific words and vocabulary. The main target of the test is people whose native language is Japanese. Anyone can take the exam. It doesn't matter if you are a Japanese citizen or not.
It is sometimes confused with the Japanese Language Proficiency Test(JLPT), which is intended for learners of Japanese whose first language is not Japanese, but it is a irrelevant test.The number of schools and companies give preferential treatment to certificants in entrance exams.[1][2]
Features
Nihongo Kentei tests overall Japanese language proficiency.
It measures not only kanji and vocabulary, but also the test taker's ability to use the Japanese language comprehensively. Therefore, the questions are given in six areas.[3]
The test consists of practical Japanese questions.It will help you to understand your strengths and weaknesses and give you an opportunity to review your Japanese ability.
Criteria for Certification[4]
There are two types of certifications for each level, depending on the percentage of points scored. However, it is necessary to score in six areas in a balanced manner, and if there are areas where the score rate does not meet a certain standard, it will not be certified (except for Level 7).
| 級(Level) | Test time | Overall score percentage | Each area score percentage | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1級(Level 1) | 60min | 80% or more | 50% or more | 1級(Level 1) |
| 70-80% | 準1級(Semi Level 1) | |||
| 2級(Level 2) | 60min | 75% or more | 2級(Level 2) | |
| 65-75% | 準2級(Semi Level 2) | |||
| 3級(Level 3) | 60min | 70% or more | 3級(Level 3) | |
| 60-70% | 準3級(Semi Level 3) | |||
| 4級(Level 4) | 50min | 70% or more | 4級(Level 4) | |
| 60-70% | 準4級(Semi Level 4) | |||
| 5級(Level 5) | 50min | 70% or more | 5級(Level 5) | |
| 60-70% | 準5級(Semi Level 5) | |||
| 6級(Level 6) | 50min | 70% or more | 6級(Level 6) | |
| 60-70% | 準6級(Semi Level 6) | |||
| 7級(Level 7) | 50min | 70% or more | 7級(Level 7) | |
| 60-70% | 準7級(Semi Level 7) |
Applications and results[5]
| Year | Level | JLPT in Japan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicants | Certified (%) | Semi Level Certified (%) | ||
| 2017-1 | 1級(Level 1) | 682 | 9.2% | 18.4% |
| 2級(Level 2) | 3,257 | 16.2% | 25.1% | |
| 3級(Level 3) | 17,741 | 33.7% | 35.3% | |
| 4級(Level 4) | 7,189 | 68.1% | 19.6% | |
| 5級(Level 5) | 3,262 | 76.5% | 14.7% | |
| 6級(Level 6) | 3,074 | 63.4% | 18.2% | |
| 7級(Level 7) | 927 | 91.2% | 3.3% | |
| 2017-2 | 1級(Level 1) | 727 | 19.1% | 24.5% |
| 2級(Level 2) | 3,897 | 8.8% | 9.9% | |
| 3級(Level 3) | 15,542 | 38.0% | 28.3% | |
| 4級(Level 4) | 8,816 | 73.9% | 16.9% | |
| 5級(Level 5) | 6,017 | 79.9% | 13.2% | |
| 6級(Level 6) | 4,152 | 71.1% | 13.9% | |
| 7級(Level 7) | 1,357 | 86.7% | 3.4% | |
| 2018-1 | 1級(Level 1) | 594 | 4.9% | 21.9% |
| 2級(Level 2) | 2,881 | 11.0% | 35.8% | |
| 3級(Level 3) | 18,787 | 44.2% | 20.4% | |
| 4級(Level 4) | 7,017 | 83.6% | 7.1% | |
| 5級(Level 5) | 2,082 | 78.9% | 6.4% | |
| 6級(Level 6) | 1,278 | 78.0% | 2.8% | |
| 7級(Level 7) | 3,436 | 89.6% | 3.3% | |
| 2018-2 | 1級(Level 1) | 682 | 9.2% | 18.4% |
| 2級(Level 2) | 3,257 | 16.2% | 25.1% | |
| 3級(Level 3) | 17,741 | 33.7% | 35.3% | |
| 4級(Level 4) | 7,189 | 68.1% | 19.6% | |
| 5級(Level 5) | 3,262 | 76.5% | 14.7% | |
| 6級(Level 6) | 3,074 | 63.4% | 18.2% | |
| 7級(Level 7) | 927 | 91.2% | 3.3% | |
| 2019-1 | 1級(Level 1) | 596 | 14.1% | 33.7% |
| 2級(Level 2) | 2,841 | 9.3% | 23.9% | |
| 3級(Level 3) | 19,519 | 41.9% | 22.9% | |
| 4級(Level 4) | 7,735 | 76.2% | 10.6% | |
| 5級(Level 5) | 3,264 | 78.9% | 9.1% | |
| 6級(Level 6) | 2,335 | 74.5% | 2.8% | |
| 7級(Level 7) | 2,158 | 91.4% | 2.4% | |
| 2019-2 | 1級(Level 1) | 618 | 7.2% | 26.3% |
| 2級(Level 2) | 3,599 | 7,9% | 23.4% | |
| 3級(Level 3) | 14,079 | 40.7.% | 25.3% | |
| 4級(Level 4) | 8,704 | 72.9% | 14.3% | |
| 5級(Level 5) | 4,501 | 76.2% | 8.8% | |
| 6級(Level 6) | 2,904 | 77.0% | 6.6% | |
| 7級(Level 7) | 1,531 | 86.1% | 7.5% | |
See also
- Japanese-Language Proficiency Test
- Business Japanese Proficiency Test
- Mandarin Proficiency Test (HSK)
- ILR scale
- J-Test
- Kanji kentei
- Test of Proficiency in Korean
- List of language proficiency tests
References
- Ryotoku, Kato. "What kind of experience does the second grade Nihongo Kentei passer have? : In the case of a nucleus private university student (a faculty of liberal arts)". Bulletin of Faculty of Health and Welfare, Osaka University of Health and Sports Sciences. 10: 47–58.
- Barbaschow, Asha. "Fujitsu and Sony think blockchain is the best way to store education records". ZDNet. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
- "日本語検定とは？ | 日本語検定-ビジネス,就活,学力アップ。日本語力を高める検定。". 日本語検定 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- "受検概要・申込 | 日本語検定-ビジネス,就活,学力アップ。日本語力を高める検定。". 日本語検定 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-05-17.
- "検定データ | 日本語検定-ビジネス,就活,学力アップ。日本語力を高める検定。". 日本語検定 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-05-16.
External links
- 日本語検定(in Japanese) - the official Nihongo Kentei website