The "practical language proficiency" defined by the CEFR, the basis for the Japanese-language teaching framework, is based on four skills and five domains. If you look at Japanese language proficiency tests, you'll see that all of them measure reading and listening ability, as well as the amount of language knowledge, out of the four skills and five domains. The CEFR's assessment of these tests only covers a limited range of abilities.

　Therefore, even if you have a high level on a proficiency test, it does not measure your conversational or communication ability.

　I myself have various language proficiency tests. I even have a level in Russian, but that was because I wanted the knowledge as a Japanese-language teacher; I don't actually speak the language. That's just how proficiency tests are.

　Therefore, foreigners living in Japan should first focus on acquiring Japanese communication skills rather than acquiring language knowledge in order to pass a proficiency test.

　Some Japanese-language teachers will ask, "So, is there a test that can objectively prove communication ability?" The answer is no. Or rather, there is, but it's still a bit vague. Well, perhaps this could be possible in the future with advances in AI.

　But what good would such proof be? That's my honest opinion.

　Whether it's university entrance exams or job interviews, unlike tests for Japanese people, an interview can quickly reveal a foreigner's Japanese conversation ability. An even more detailed interview would allow for a more detailed understanding.

　Relying on test results in a document screening process poses the risk of forged documents, even before objective proof is given. The largest Japanese language proficiency test, the JLPT Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, is riddled with forged certificates.