NOTE - this help guide is for your assistance only - as far as we know it is accurate but use it at your own risk. We take no responsibility for errors or mistranslations on our part, however incompetent, idiotic or downright oafish.

1) Photo taken within last six months. 3cm X3cm including whole face. Write name and birthdate on back and glue it on. Do the same at part 21 using an identical photograph

2) Circle the place you will take the test. You can't change it later. If you don't circle one, one will be chosen for you and you will not be able to change it.

3) Write the number of the level you are planning to take. If you are planning to use this test to get into a Japanese university you must take level 1.

4) Print your name in capital letters. If your name uses non-standard letters (German "beta S" for for example) check the chart on the Japanese help that comes with the application form for more details.

5) Birthdate (western style). Make sure the month and date are in 2 digit form - so use a preceding zero if necessary (eg May becomes 05, not 5)

6) Indicate your sex.

7) Print the address where you live or at which you can definitely be reached. If you live in an apartment make sure you print the building name and room number . Write your telephone number. This address MUST BE IN JAPAN!

8) Print the country and area code (in the white booklet that comes with the application form pages 18- 20)

9) Write the code relating to your mother tongue. (Page 21 - 22 of white booklet)

10) Write the code relating to the area in which you live. (Page 23)

11) If you have studied Japanese formally, write the number of hours you will have studied by the test date. Include hours you have studied on your own.

12) Write the code relating to the reason you are taking the test (Page 23)

13) Write the code number relating to where you are studying Japanese formally. Do not write anything if you are attending school. (Pages 33 - 36)

14) Write the name and phone number of your Japanese school.(if you have one)

15) For people taking levels 1 or 2 only. If you want the test results sending to a school circle yes or no.

16) For people taking level 1 only - if you require the results to be sent to Japanese universities write the codes of the universities in the in the boxes provided. (page 24 - 32)

17) Stick the receipt the Post Office gives you after you pay for the test in this space. If you do not stick the receipt here you will not be permitted to take the test.

18, 19, 20) Put your name, birthdate and sex. (use the same format as 4,5 and 6 above)

21 (see 1 above)

Notes. make sure you have filled in boxes 2 to 14. and 18 to 20. If you are taking level 1 check you have filled in 15 and 16. If taking level 2 check you have filled in 15. Check you have two identical pictures at 1 and 21. Use a black or blue ink ball-point pen. You cannot change the contents of this form after you have sent it. Make a copy of the form to keep before you send it.

Small yellow envelope. Is for those taking level 1 only. Write your name, address, phone number and put a stamp on the envelope.

The small white and blue Post Office payment paper. Write your name, address, zip code and phone number on each tear-off leaf of this form. (a total of 5 times). Then take it to the post-office and pay for your test. The post -office will give you two papers as a receipt. Stick the larger paper (the sho-meisho) on your application form.

Stickers. Write your name, full address, telephone number on both stickers.

Big Pink Envelope. Write your level, area, address and name in the space provided. Send by registered mail (kakidome). on or before 18th september. Late applications will not be considered and you will not get your money back.

On the back of the envelope is a check list.

The envelope should contain
Application form - with payment receipt stuck to it.
2 pictures.
The stickers with your name and address.
The yellow envelope if you are taking level one.

Note. You may only send one application form in each envelope. If you send two applications in one envelope they will not be accepted.

Yes - It's that time of year again, the "Japanese Proficiency Test" applications are due in soon. No more telling fibs back home about how good your Japanese is -soon you'll have a piece of paper to prove it. While the JPT may not be the perfect yardstick of Japanese ability it's the best there currently is.

The test is likely to be like nothing you have experienced before. It tests only reading and listening comprehension - though the certificate, if you get it, will make grand claims about your speaking and writing abilities as well. There are three sections- Kanji and grammar-listening comprehension and reading comprehension. Kanji and listening are worth 100 marks each where reading is 200 (total 400). You will need a total of 240 to pass levels 4,3 and 2 and 70% for level 1. As for the level of difficulty, a good gauge is the number of kanji you know. Level 4 requires 100 kanji, level 3 -300, level 2-1000 and level 1-2000. Don't try if you don't know kanji as you won't have a hope.

Preparation: there are some good books on sale in Kinokuniya with practice exams. If it is your first time I strongly advise you to do a listening comprehension test to get used to it. The more questions you do the better and if you get one wrong get somebody to explain WHY. Don't get depressed if you make lots of mistakes in the practice test as long as you understand why. Also the questions are all multiple choice. There are usually two answers that are nowhere near the mark and two that look close. If you don't know the answer improve your odds by cutting out the two that you know are wrong.

The exam implicitly tests how much you know about Japan so someone living here will have a big advantage over someone taking it overseas. Everyday experiences appear in the test - especially as part of the listening,

In the end it comes down to study and experience. A bit of study should get you through levels 4 and 3, but levels 2 and 1 require considerable application as the tests seem to get exponentially harder. There is a huge jump from level 3 to 2, and another huge jump from 2 to 1.

Be wary of setting your sights too high - people have been known to take the test on three consecutive years, each time doing a prgressively harder test, and fail each time. It's called wishful thinking. It is a good idea to go for the level that you KNOW you can pass rather than the level that you THINK you can pass-there is always next year to go up a level. In general you should do the test you know the kanji for, whatever your other abilities.

All we can say is 頑'｣って下さい