The Japanese Language Proficiency Test has long been a recognized way to measure one's Japanese ability.

But it is held only once a year, putting a great deal of pressure on the people taking the test — particularly those tackling the most difficult level — because failure means another full year of studying before they get another chance to prove their language ability.

"It was stressful," Wang Shenming, a 33-year-old industry analyst in Taipei, said of taking the test's top, or Level 1, version. "I was worried that if I couldn't pass this time, I have to wait for one more year."