http://www.jlpt.jp/e/info/index.html

Mostly it is the same as but with an extra level inserted between the current L2 and L3.

I was hoping they would add an extra level in between L1 and L2. I mean, it's good that they want to help beginners, but let's face it, anything lower than L2 is still pretty worthless and the gap between L1 and L2 is the biggest in the previous four levels.

The skill level gap between level 2 and 3 is huge. They should just make level 3 tougher.

The sample questions look interesting. It looks like something you might *actually* come across while in Japan. It gives me hope that the test might be approaching something resembling usefulness. But I suppose I'll have to see more before I start getting too excited.

So when exactly does this change take place? Beginning 2010?

ah thank god they aren't changing too much.
I'm still going to go ahead as planned.
Do JLTP3 this year
and attempt JLPT2 the year after

bodhisamaya Wrote:The skill level gap between level 2 and 3 is huge. They should just make level 3 tougher.

Nah, JLPT3 should be kept the way it is but JLPT4 should be removed.

I agree with their addition of one between JLPT3 and JLPT2. JLPT3 is easy but it demands one knows all of the basics, stuff taught in introductory textbooks like Genki. JLPT2 is a really huge step up.

As for the jump from JLPT2 to JLPT1, I'd say it's acceptable. From a vocabulary perspective, it's a big jump... but when you're good enough to get a good score on JLPT2, JLPT1 should just be a lot of unknowns... the reading comprehension and grammar etc shouldn't really be a problem.

Tobberoth Wrote:Nah, JLPT3 should be kept the way it is but JLPT4 should be removed.

It might not have any practical value but then, as long as there are enough people interested in taking it, why should it be removed?

Some people just like to have what they've learned validated in some official way even if it's just beginner stuff.