N3　Purposes of test items

Test section Composition of test items

(test time) Type of test items Purpose

1 Kanji reading Test reading of words written in kanji

2 Orthography Test kanji for words written in hiragana

Vocabulary

Language
Knowledge Contextually-defined
3 Test words whose meaning is defined by context
expressions
(30min.)

4 Paraphrases Test words and expressions with similar meaning

5 Usage Test usage of words in sentences

Sentential grammar 1
1 Test judgment on grammar formats that suit sentences
(selecting grammar form)
Grammar

Sentential grammar 2
2 Test sentence composition that is syntactically accurate and makes sense
(sentence composition)

3 Text grammar Test judgment on suitability of sentences for text flow

Language
Knowledge
Test understanding of content by reading original text of approximately 150-
・ Comprehension
Reading 4 200 characters, such as descriptions and directions regarding various topics
(short passages) including everyday life and work

(70min.) Comprehension Test understanding of key words and causal relations by reading text of
5
(mid-size passages) approximately 350 characters, such as original commentary and essays
Reading

Comprehension Test understanding of summary, logical development by reading text of

6
(long passages) approximately 550 characters, such as commentary, essays and letters

Test ability to retrieve necessary information from original materials such as

7 Information retrieval advertisements and brochures (approximately 600 characters)

Test understanding of contents by listening to coherent text (test ability to

Task-based
1 extract necessary information to resolve specific issues and understand
comprehension appropriate action to take)

Comprehension of Test understanding of contents by listening to coherent text (test ability to

2
key points narrow down points based on necessary information presented in advance)

Listening
Comprehension of Test understanding of contents by listening to coherent text (test
3
general outline understanding of speaker’s intention and ideas from overall text)
(40min.)
Test ability to select appropriate verbal expressions by listening to
4 Verbal expressions circumstances while looking at illustrations

Test ability to select appropriate responses by listening to short utterances

5 Quick response such as questions