Does anybody know anything about the J Test and how it compares to JLPT. I'm interested if a lot of companies in Japan recognize the test as a measure of your Japanese ability.

Here's the english site: http://j-test.jp/xp/modules/tinyd10/cont....php?id=11

The lower level seems completely useless. But the upper level classifies your ability into grades and says if you can get in the 900-1000 range you are on the level of an interpreter.

This is my first time hearing of it.

http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24181

Be sure to check out the link in post 15.

I wouldn't know anything about companies' recognition of it. My guess is that it's a lot less known than the JLPT among employers.

It is worthless to take unless you are looking for personal satisfaction.

The JLPT is the government approved gold standard among companies and universities interested in working with foreigners.

Nothing is worthless. Having two certifications on your resume looks better than one, even if you have to explain what it is in an interview.

However, I would recommend taking BJT instead. It is more widely recognized than JTEST, is harder than JLPT1 to get the top level, and is directly applicable to working in a Japanese office environment (it's more a test of applying Japanese than a test OF Japanese).

RE: JTEST levels
Even getting 100% is NOWHERE near enough to be an interpreter, but it is slightly harder than JLPT1 at the top end.