N1

[NaHbCE]

I am wondering if anyone thinks it would be useful to have N1 as well as 1. I understand they are aimed at about the same level, but it seems possible that a job listing might ask for N1 at some point in the future. Rather than trying to explain what the old exam was like, it might be easier to simply have both, just in case. What do you think?

[JanneM]

This is one major reason I haven't made a serious attempt at level 1 - I'm not in a hurry, and having passed the new test is going to be more useful than having the old one.

[skim]

N1 and 1 kyuu are pretty much the same thing. There's a few questions that are written in a different format, but otherwise they're both trying to gauge your Japanese ability anywhere from between the level of an average Japanese middle schooler to Natsume Souseki. Unless jbos require that I have N1 certification I will not be taking the JLPT again.

[ericspinelli]

I will not be taking the new test. I've paid enough (I've taken various levels of the JLPT a total of 4 times) and was able to get myself employed before I received my results anyway. I don't see what I have to gain from passing the new level.

I think it's going to take some time for everybody to get used to the new format. That goes for test takers and employers. I doubt many employers are as caught up as us test takers in the differences in and implications of the new format, even those who higher large numbers of foreigners in Japan. Besides, １級 will always be recognizable as a high achievement, whereas N1 doesn't mean anything to the average Japanese person.

And if pressed to explain why I did not take the new test, I feel that I can confidently explain my decision in Japanese well enough to put any language fears aside.