Is there any real difference when taking the JLPT in the U.S versus taking it in Japan? I plan to take the JLPT one day, but I am wondering if it would be better to spend a year or so of study in a Japanese language school in Japan and take it after the year is up, or take it directly at some testing center outside of Japan. I am pretty confident I can pass N3 and possibly N2 at least with how far I have gotten on my own, but I want to reach N1 level at some point, however I feel like I have exhausted as much self-studying as I can do. Furthermore, I have no real chances to speak any Japanese where I am at, so even with my knowledge my communication skills lack in that regard. I want to improve that. I have gotten quite far with my understanding of Japanese, but if I want to be really fluent I feel that it would be better to do that in Japan. Am I right in thinking so ?
If you have the ability to go to Japan and spend a year there, that will absolutely be the best possible option for you. It doesn’t really matter if you take it in Japan or your home country beyond that there are a lot more location options and you can take it in the summer in Japan. The tests are the same everywhere. If you live in a city that has a test, it doesn’t really matter.
The thing that will make a difference here is that in one case you got to spend a year immersed in the language and attending a language school, which will give you so much of an advantage that if that’s an option you should absolutely do it.
I see! So, in regard to the testing location it doesn’t matter too much where you take it. I appreciate the reply and will definitely keep the idea of studying in Japan in consideration, as honestly that is what I want to do more than anything at the moment, and given another year or so that will be possible for me to do I believe.
返事してくれてありがとうございます！参考になりました！