The Kanji Kentei (Kanji Proficiency Test) is an examination that measures one’s ability to read, write, and understand the meaning of kanji characters, as well as vocabulary. It can be taken by people aged 3 to 103 years old. (Yep, there is an age limit. If you are a super-smart 2-year-old, you can’t take it. If you are a 104-year-old who’s willing to take on a kanji challenge, you can’t take it.)
How many words you have to know each level?
- Level 10: Equivalent to end of 1st grade elementary school (80 characters)
- Level 9: Equivalent to end of 2nd grade elementary school (240 characters)
- Level 8: Equivalent to end of 3rd grade elementary school (440 characters)
- Level 7: Equivalent to end of 4th grade elementary school (642 characters)
- Level 6: Equivalent to end of 5th grade elementary school (835 characters)
- Level 5: Equivalent to end of 6th grade elementary school (1,026 characters)
- Level 4: Equivalent to junior high school level (1,339 characters)
- Level 3: Equivalent to junior high school graduate level (1,623 characters)
- Pre-Level 2: Equivalent to high school level (1,951 characters)
- Level 2: Equivalent to high school graduate/university/general level (2,136 characters) *Level where all common-use kanji can be read, written, and applied
- Pre-Level 1: University/general level (approximately 3,000 characters) *Only conducted at official test centers
- Level 1: University/general level (approximately 6,000 characters) *Only conducted at official test centers
How many kanji letters do you know?
I read Japanese novels and I sometimes see Pre-Level 1 or other high-level kanji. However, you definitely don’t need to learn those high-level kanji to buy a burger at a fast food restaurant or get a banana at a supermarket.
There is no need to know all the high-level kanji, but it can be a nice hobby, perhaps.
On my Facebook page, I try to introduce Kanken kanji, so check it out.
If you’re looking for someone to help you massage your brain or learn Japanese, feel free to reach out!
参考：日本漢字検定ウェブサイト
