What are Kanken levels?
The Kanken (漢字検定, Kanji Kentei) is a standardized test in Japan that measures your ability to read, write, and understand kanji. It’s widely used by native speakers and advanced Japanese learners to assess their kanji proficiency.
The Kanken has 12 levels, which can be divided into three categories:
- From level 10 to level 5: the beginner levels, intended for elementary school students. They include about one thousand kanji in total.
- From level 4 to level 2: the intermediate levels, designed for junior high school students and general use. Level 2 is equivalent to all jōyō kanji.
- From level 1.5 to level 1: the advanced levels, often beyond daily use. They include more than 6,000 kanji in total. Even many native speakers fail these levels.
