JLPT in Malaysia: Everything You Need to Know

Searching for the most complete and reliable information about the JLPT exam in Malaysia? Are you currently confused about which level of JLPT exam you can choose and where you can take the JLPT exam in Malaysia? Don’t worry, we are here to help you.

Here, please just take a few minutes of your time and prepare small notes to jot down the important points. In this article, we will discuss everything about the JLPT exam in Malaysia, such as where you can take the JLPT exam, what you need to prepare for, the registration procedure, and some other supporting information.

This article will be a practical but comprehensive guide for you to understand more about the JLPT exam in Malaysia. Besides, now with the Covid-19 pandemic, you must be confused and worried whether the JLPT exam will still be held in 2023? Well, let’s discuss the following JLPT exam in Malaysia together!

1. About JLPT

The JLPT or Japanese Language Proficiency Test was first administered in 1984.^[1] At its inception, the JLPT was held only once a year with 7,000 participants spread across 15 countries.^[1]

Then, in 2011, the number of JLPT participants increased very significantly to 610,000 participants spread across 62 countries around the world.^[2] This achievement made the JLPT the largest Japanese language proficiency test in the world at that time.

In addition, the JLPT has the primary objective of evaluating and validating the Japanese proficiency of foreign speakers.^[3] Every year, the JLPT exam is given simultaneously in Japan and around the world. To date, many foreign speakers continue to take the JLPT for various purposes. In addition to being recognized by various national and international institutions, the JLPT exam continues to be evaluated and has the largest number of participants compared to other Japanese language proficiency exams.

According to historical records, in 2017, the number of participants in the JLPT exam even exceeded 1 million people.^[4] And it continues to grow, reaching 1.36 million people around the world in 2019.^[4]

The JLPT exam you are taking today has undergone many changes. In 2010, the JLPT exam has been redesigned with full use of research in educational theory with a wealth of data in comparison to the original JLPT exam which was introduced in 1984.^[2]

Four Key Characteristic of JLPT

The JLPT exam is known for having 4 key characteristics that set it apart from other Japanese language proficiency tests.^[5] These key characteristics form the basic components of the JLPT exam benchmarks. You can use them as a basis for understanding what is actually tested on the JLPT exam.

1. The JLPT exam measures the communicative competence required to perform specific activities or tasks. This JLPT exam not only tests the student’s language knowledge, vocabulary, reading, and listening skills but also the extent to which the student can apply his or her understanding in real-life, everyday situations.
2. The JLPT exam has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. All are designed to measure Japanese proficiency as comprehensively as possible. Each level also has other special components.
3. This JLPT has adopted a scaled score to represent the skills of its participants. Scaled scores are based on the equalization method and allow the ability to be measured on the same scale regardless of when the test is taken. The score is considered more accurate and fair to represent Japanese language proficiency during testing.
4. JLPT provides a “JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation List”. This list can be used as a reference to get an idea of what candidates who are successful at certain levels of the JLPT exam can do.

It is not surprising that many foreign speakers have set their sights on the JLPT exam certificate, as it has always been a mandatory item required by various educational institutions and companies at the beginning of the entrance exam. This test has been recognized by many parties and has become the most popular test to date.

The Advantages of JLPT

To date, more than 1 million JLPT test takers have taken the JLPT. The reason behind this is the precious various benefits. Holders of the JLPT exam certificate receive added value at school or university, special treatment at work, and recognition in the community. In short, taking the JLPT is a smart choice. Some of the more specific benefits are outlined below:

1. Holders of JLPT level N1 or N2 certificates receive points for preferential treatment at Japanese immigration control as highly skilled foreign professionals.
2. To qualify for the Japanese National Examination for some professions such as general practitioner, dentist, nurse, dental hygienist, physiotherapist, emergency medical technician, and veterinarian. You need a JLPT level N1 certificate to take the national examination.
3. A nurse who wants to work in Japan must have a JLPT N1 certificate to take the nursing assistant exam and then work in Japan.
4. Foreign students at the junior high school level may be exempted as a subject in the Japanese equivalency examination. The condition is that they must have a JLPT N2 or N1 certificate.
5. Under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) program for Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, prospective nurses from these countries must pass JLPT level N5 (Indonesia, Philippines) or at least N3 (Vietnam) to work in Japan.

In addition, are there any points we missed? Please share your opinion below and tell us about your experience with the JLPT certificate and the privileges you get after.

2. About JLPT in Malaysia

The JLPT exam in Malaysia is available in 5 cities: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu and Johor Bahru. Each city has a local institution that administers the JLPT exam on behalf of the Japan Foundation.

In 2023, specifically in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the JLPT exam will be offered 2 times: July and December. Meanwhile, in Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu and Johor Baru, the JLPT exam is only available in December. In addition, you can follow the updated information about the JLPT exam by visiting the website of each local institution administering the JLPT exam.

Please note that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the standard for administering the JLPT exam may be different in each city. Therefore, you must check the website or contact the organizing committee of each local institution directly. Next, you can find complete information about the local institutions administering the JLPT exam in 5 cities in Malaysia in the next section.

List of Local Host Institutions of JLPT in Malaysia

The following is a list of the local JLPT exam administration centers in Malaysia that will administer the JLPT exam on behalf of the Japan Foundation. Please contact the following local institutions if you have any questions or unclear information regarding the administration of the JLPT.

Additionally, you can read updated information about the JLPT exam by visiting the website of each local institution that administers the JLPT exam listed above. Please don’t hesitate to contact the JLPT committee if you have any problems registering for the JLPT exam or if you have any other questions.

3. General Info about JLPT in Malaysia

If you want to find out more about the JLPT exam in Malaysia, you need to visit the website of the local institution administering the exam, which we have listed above. Do not make a mistake when choosing a city as the local institutions are different.

Next, the following is general information about the administration of the JLPT exam and things you need to consider when preparing to register for the JLPT exam.

1. Visit your local institution’s website for detailed information about the JLPT, how to register, and more.
2. Be aware of limited registration time and quotas. The registration period is usually a maximum of 2 weeks. Take your time and register early.
3. Read the test instructions provided. Write down important information and don’t overlook any details.
4. Follow the instructions for the payment method provided.
5. Fill in all data according to your personal information and check to avoid mistakes.
6. You will receive notifications, test vouchers, and various information updates related to JLPT if your registration is successful.

In addition, if you have any problems with the registration process or if any information has changed, such as your address, please contact the local institution immediately for further action. Please note that registration can only be done online. It cannot be done by mail or any other method.

Test Guide and Fee

Don’t forget to read the test guide carefully before registering. The test guide is usually available 3 months before the JLPT exam.

In addition, JLPT exam announcements are usually available during the first week of March and August. And, the following is the fee for the JLPT exam that you need to prepare for:

Please note that payments can only be made online. You can find out more about this payment method by contacting a local institution.

4. How to Register for the JLPT Test in Malaysia?

In general, the registration process for the JLPT exam in Malaysia is as follows. Please follow the 5 steps below:

1. Preparation. First, you need to prepare:
– Prepare a valid email address for registration.
– Prepare your personal details completely and correctly.
– Please select the JLPT test level you wish to take (N5-N1), there is no change in test level and venue after registration.
– Only Malaysian addresses will be accepted. Your score or result certificate can only be sent to an address within Malaysia.
– There is no need to upload photos.

2. Registration. Registration can only be done online. Please check the following steps:
– Select your test center and level.
– Update your personal information.
– Fill out a questionnaire about your Japanese language background.
– All fields are required to be filled.

3. After Submission. After submitting your online application, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. The email will also contain your registration details:
– Registration reference number.
– NRIC or passport number; and e-mail address.

4. The Payment. Your application can not be completed without payment.
– Complete your payment and receive an immediate confirmation via the online payment.
– Please note that only online payments will be accepted.

5. Registration Confirmation. After you have done the registration and the payment, please contact the local institution for confirmation. Also, once payment is received, a registration confirmation email will be sent along with:
– Notification to the examinee.
– Exam voucher (with your details and examinee number).

An additional fee of RM25 will be charged for any change request. After the registration deadline, candidates are required to report to the invigilator on the day of the examination for any incorrect information. Also, you can check your payment status via the “View Registration Status” link on the JLPT Malaysia online registration website.

The Important Note

An important note that prospective candidates should note is that once your registration is confirmed, no refunds will be given. Refunds will only be given in the event that the exam is canceled by the organizer. Refunds are processed within 100 days.

In addition, at the time of the JLPT test, you will be allowed to bring some of these items: a test voucher, a #2 pencil or HB blacklead pencil and a plastic eraser, and photo identification such as a passport, driver’s license, or other government-issued ID.

Other official identification is also required by certain local host institution. You will not be allowed to take the test if you forget to bring your photo identification to the test site.

5. How to Prepare for the JLPT Test in Malaysia?

In this section, we provide additional tips specifically for you to help you prepare for the upcoming JLPT exam. In order to prepare for the JLPT exam in the best possible way and achieve high scores, there are a number of things you need to consider.

Apart from understanding the technicalities of registering for the JLPT exam, you also need to get the JLPT exam preparation program that is right, planned and really accurate. You can get this preparation by attending the JLPT test preparation program with professional teachers at trusted schools.

To help you choose the best place to study Japanese and prepare for the JLPT exam in Malaysia, please read the following articles:

Conclusion

This is the last part of the discussion about the JLPT exam in Malaysia. We truly hope that this information can be enlightening and empowering for you to prepare as well as possible for the JLPT exam in Malaysia.

Hopefully, what is presented above can accompany the careful preparation for all of you. Please do not hesitate to send questions, if there is something you do not understand.

We are also very proud to be a part of your journey to conquer the JLPT. Don’t forget to check back here for the latest information on the JLPT exam. Thank you for reading to the end. See you in the next article!

References

¹ “Message from Organizers“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
² “Introduction“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
³ “Objectives“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
⁴ “Statistics“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
⁵ “Four Key Characteristics“. The Official JLPT Website. Retrieved 11 April 2023.