日本語能力試験２級

I recently decided to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, Level 2 (the hardest is Level 1 and the easiest is Level 4). To take Level 2, one should know about 1000 Kanji, about 6000 words, have mastered relatively high grammar, and "have the ability to converse, read, and write about matters of a general nature".

Last Monday, I went to an onsen (hot spring) called Gokurakuyu (Paradise Spa) in the nearby city of Tsu. I brought along Japanese Level 2 Mock Test, and took it there. To pass the test, you have to get %60 (240 of 400 points). It took about 2.5 hours. I got 241 points, barely passing. The crazy thing is that the test is only offered once a year in December. So I have a long wait...er...a lot of time to improve before the test.

Passing the level 3 or level 4 test doesn't mean much, but the level 2 and level 1 test do look good to Japanese employers. Honestly, the test is not that important to me, though. I just want to get better at speaking, listening, reading, and maybe writing; if the test can give me motivation to continue learning, then so be it.