I registered recently to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) this year, in December 2008.  One of the perennial problems with the JLPT is that it’s been offered only once a year, on the same date worldwide.  This means that if you fail the test, you have to wait a full year before retaking it; if you are unsure as to what level to take, most people opt for the lower one so that there is a better chance of passing something rather than walking away empty-handed.

This, apparently, is about to change.

In the official exam guide for this year’s JLPT, published by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES), there is a section entitled “Schedule”, which reads, in part, as follows:

Schedule

[...] Beginning in 2009 the test will be held twice — once in July (Levels 1 and 2 only) and once in December (Levels 1 to 4).

This is really good news for people trying to pass the two highest levels (Levels 2 and 1). Yay! I’m going to take Level 2 this year, but have absolutely no expectation of passing it.  However, the preparation for it will be a very good exercise. I hope to be able to pass it next year, either in July or in December.  I guess it all depends on how my studies go.