"Check Your Japanese Level!" is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) published by the Council of Europe in 2001. Check Your Japanese Level! is a tool that allows you to check your Japanese proficiency at the six levels of the “Overall Scale” shown in the “Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education” compiled by the Japanese Language Division of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

By answering your Japanese proficiency level from one of four levels for the five language activities: "Listening," "Reading," “Speaking (Conversational)," "Speaking (Presenting)," and "Writing," expressed in the language ability descriptions (Can do) that indicate what you can do, you can find out your Japanese proficiency from one of six levels from A1 to C2.

You can assess your Japanese proficiency in all or just some of the five language activities. Use this tool to find out what you can currently do in Japanese.

Nihongo-Hiroba uses "Check your Japanese Level!" which is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) as a level indicator. In addition, the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), the Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT), and other indicators are also available to certify your level of Japanese proficiency.

"Check your Japanese Level!" assesses the five language activities: "Listening," "Reading," "Speaking (Conversational)," "Speaking (Presenting)," and "Writing." The JLPT measures three elements: "Language Knowledge," "Reading," and "Listening." The BJT is composed of three parts: "Listening Comprehension," "Listening and Reading Comprehension," and "Reading Comprehension." Although it is a tentative and approximate guide, please refer to the "CEFR/JLPT/BJT Level Correspondence Chart" below to see their correspondence.

Some of the content offered by Nihongo-Hiroba allows you to check your current Japanese language level.

The CEFR is divided into three groups: A (Basic User), B (Independent User), and C (Proficient User), each of which is also divided into two levels. In total, there are six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. To see what can be done in Japanese at each level, please refer to "Before Checking".

The JLPT has been offered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (formerly Association of International Education, Japan) since 1984 as a reliable means of evaluating and certifying the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers. At the beginning, there were approximately 7,000 examinees worldwide, but now it has become the largest-scale Japanese-language test in the world.

In 2023, when restrictions due to the COVID-19 were eased, a record approximately 1.48 million applications were received, and the number of overseas applicants exceeded 1 million for the first time.

The JLPT is offered in five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. In order to measure Japanese-language proficiency as thoroughly as possible, test items are designed for each level.

The JLPT places importance not only on (1) knowledge of Japanese-language vocabulary and grammar but also on the (2) ability to use the knowledge in actual communication. In order to perform various "everyday tasks" that require language, not only language knowledge but also the ability to actually use it are necessary. Therefore, the JLPT measures comprehensive Japanese language communicative competence through three elements: "Language Knowledge" to measure (1), and "Reading" and "Listening" to measure (2).

In Japan's business culture, there are unique expressions and behaviors specific to Japanese customs. The BJT is a test to measure your proficiency in communicating in the Japanese language required in business settings. It is recommended not only for those aiming to work in Japan's business world but also for those with basic Japanese proficiency looking for their next goal. It is often said that "being able to hold daily conversations is not enough in the business world." As a result, an increasing number of Japanese companies place a high value on the BJT.

The BJT indicates Japanese language proficiency with a score of 0-800 points. Also, levels from J5 to J1+ are set in accordance with sores as indicators proficiency.

This test has a total of 80 questions and takes about 2 hours (including test explanations and questionnaire). It broadly consists of three parts:" Listening Comprehension, " "Listening-Reading Comprehension" and "Reading Comprehension."

A questionnaire survey of BJT examinees found that people who passed the N1 had higher average scores on the BJT than those who passed the N2-confirming some degree of correlation. However, among those who passed the N1, scores were distributed widely in the range of 300-700 points, This demonstrates a broad distribution in their ability to use Japanese in business settings. This is because despite possessing basic competency, there are differences in practical skills. The BJT is a test that can measure these practical skills.

On the official BJT website, you can try questions from the three parts of the test: "Listening Comprehension," "Listening and Reading Comprehension," and "Reading Comprehension."

You can also experience the actual test format on "CBT (Computer Based Testing) demo." Please click on "Sample question" on the main page.