In summary, the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is like the TOEFL or IELTS, except that it is a test to measure Japanese fluency. The exam is administered by the Japan Foundation, and is held twice a year: in July and December. The exam is divided into 5 levels (from the easiest level N5 to the most difficult level N1):
Level N5
Able to master/read 100 kanji
Able to master 800 vocabularies
Able to understand standard sentences if written in hiragana or simple kanji.
Level N4
Able to master/read 300 kanji
Able to master about 1500 vocabularies
Able to understand everyday conversation if spoken slowly and can read simple material
Level N3
Able to master/read 650 kanji
Able to master 3750 vocabularies
Able to understand Japanese articles written in easy kanji and can follow Japanese conversations at a normal speed.
Level N2
Able to master/read 1000 kanji
Able to master 6000 vocabularies
Able to understand articles with general topics and understand conversations and news at a normal speed
Level N1
Able to master/read 2000 kanji
Able to master 10000 vocabularies
Able to understand various kinds of conversations in certain situations and can understand different nuances in a sentence pattern when using certain vocabulary.
The difference with TOEFL & IELTS, JLPT does not have a speaking/interview section. All exam questions are in multiple choice form.
In this grammar and reading test, the types of questions are
Vocabulary :
1. Write the underlined word with hiragana
2. Write the underlined word with katakana/kanji
3. Determine the correct word from ( )
4. Looking for a sentence that has the same meaning as another sentence
Reading :
1. Determine the exact particle of ()
2. Determine the correct word with * from several empty words
3. Answering questions from the stories provided