Because it’s recognized worldwide as a means of evaluating and certifying the language proficiency of non-native speakers of Japanese, it carries a lot of weight – particularly if you want to work or attend college in Japan.

It’s possible that some U.S. colleges may count a passing grade on the JLPT as a foreign language credit. But of course, you’d want to check with the people who administer the JLPT as well as the college you were looking to get credit from.

If this isn’t an option, you may be able to CLEP out (i.e. advanced placement) of a Japanese course at whatever college it is you wish to attend. Again, you’d have to check with the school.

There are a number of things that you’d have to know about the Japanese language in order to pass the test and get credit for it. The best thing I could suggest (to find out what you’d need to know to pass) would be to go to the college’s book store and check out the textbook used in their Japanese class.

Ganbatte!