Comparing the NAT-TEST and the JLPT
Here is an overview of the differences between the Japanese Language NAT-TEST and the JLPT.
The content, questions and format of the NAT-TEST conform to those used by the JLPT. The NAT-TEST has been specifically designed so that you can use material and practice questions designed for the JLPT when you are preparing for the NAT-TEST.
Sponsor Organization
NAT-TEST | Senmon Kyouiku Publishing Co., Ltd. “NAT-TEST” Administration Committee (Tokyo) China: Regional Office: The NAT-TEST Chinese Executive Office Administrations: ATA Co., Ltd. (Beijing) |
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JLPT | In Japan: Japan Educational Exchanges and Services Outside of Japan: The Japan Foundation |
Number of Times Held
NAT-TEST | Six times per year |
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JLPT | Twice per year |
Exam Format
NAT-TEST | Levels 1 and 2: 1) Language Knowledge (reading, vocabulary, grammar), Reading Comprehension [120 points] 2)Listening Comprehension [60 points] Levels 3, 4 and 5; 1)Language Knowledge (reading, vocabulary) [60 points] 2)Language Knowledge (grammar) [60 points] 3)Listening Comprehension [60 points] |
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JLPT | Same as above |
Note: The vocabulary in katakana that appears on the NAT-TEST is encountered frequently in daily-life situations and is an important part of the vocabulary section. Much of this vocabulary comes from foreign languages, however this does not necessarily mean that all of the vocabulary has the exact same meaning as the word from which it originates. Because of this, when encountering katakana vocabulary, be careful as to the meaning of the word in Japanese.
Number of Vocabulary
NAT-TEST | Level 5: Approx. 1000 words Level 4: Approx. 2000 words Level 3: Approx. 4000 words Level 2: Approx. 6000 words Level 1: Approx. 10000 words * For a detailed list of 10,172 vocabulary words separated by level, please see the "1万語彙集" textbook, published by Senmon Kyouiku Publishing Co., Ltd. |
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JLPT | Not publicly disclosed by The Japan Foundation |
Note: Even though the JLPT changed their policy by refusing to provide information on the exact content of the exam starting in 2010, the content on the NAT-TEST is still equivalent to what appears on the JLPT.
Number of Kanji
NAT-TEST | Level 5: 102 characters Level 4: 428 characters Level 3: 700 characters Level 2: 1338 characters Level 1: 1864 characters * There is a criterion of kanji that appear on each level of the NAT-TEST. |
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JLPT | Not publicly disclosed by The Japan Foundation |
Hours of Study
NAT-TEST | Level 5: 200 hours Level 4: 400 hours Level 3: 600 hours Level 2: 800 hours Level 1: 1000 hours |
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JLPT | Not publicly disclosed by The Japan Foundation |
Exam Pass Criteria
NAT-TEST | 1) Scoring more than 25% on each individual section and 2) Achieving an overall score that exceeds the passing score for the exam (typically around 60%). |
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JLPT | The Japan Foundation announces the pass criteria for each specific exam. |
Other Guidelines
NAT-TEST | Accented Words The accents used by Japanese speakers in the Listening Comprehension section follow standard guidelines for Japanese native pronunciation, however some speakers who portray younger Japanese use a slightly different accent for words that are commonly encountered in everyday life in Japan. Using this accent, speakers raise their voice slightly at the last syllable of a word and the succeeding particle. Examples: グラフ、ドラマ Orthography The orthography found on the NAT-TEST are based on those used in everyday life and found in all Japanese dictionaries and we favor those expressions used in everyday life by Japanese speakers. These expressions will not appear on the kanji reading section of the test. Examples: 一所懸命、一生懸命 |
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JLPT | None |