Japanese Profiency Test?
 

I know that there are 4 grades on the test, 1 being the best and 4, worst. Is there any restrictions on getting a 4 instead of a 1?

I don't understand your question?

You choose which level you want to enter and either pass or fail. You can do any level without doing previous levels.

Does this help?

If you decide to go for level 1 and pass, will it give you any big advantage over going for level 4 and passing?

of course it will... a level 1 pass means you're pretty much as fluent as a native speaker. This opens up most jobs to you

Level 4 pass means you can introduce yourself and find the exit in a train station lol. A level 4 pass won't really enable you to do anything more job-wise than a gaijin with no Japanese language ability. Until you pass level 2 it is as useful as writing your name on toilet paper if you want a better job in Japan unfortunately. I think the lower levels are just used to help motivate people in their studies (improve each year etc.)

i didnt know level 4 was that basic. good to know that im probably a 3. :o

yeah, it's aimed at true beginners. It's a good stepping stone to build study confidence I guess but not worth anything more than that in the real world

the thing with me is that i can talk in normal conversations but i cant talk about politics or anything like that. i can recognize and read about 400-450 kanji but writing them is a different story because just looking and knowing the kanji reading easier than remembering how to write them...at least i think so. anyways what level do you think i would actually be? a 3 after all?

yeah, probably level 3 simply because there is a big jump to level 2 (over 1000kanji needed)

grab yourself a DS and tadashii kanji kakitori kun - helped my kanji improve incredibly quickly!!!

oh damn. well i have a break until april so ill probably get a kanji practice book or that game you mentioned because i have a DS already. but its really amazing how much kanji you learn just by living here.

game is 3000yen from yodabashi camera - pretty much the same price as a text book which makes it a no-brainer if you have a ds already haha