In my continuing futile effort to learn Japanese, I signed up for The Japanese Language Proficiency Test last September. Having passed Level 4 last year, I opted for Level 3. Filled out the form and paid the exorbitant fees. Received a postcard last month with my registration data. Yesterday, woke up early and trudged through the six odd inches of soggy newly-fallen snow to the test site. Sat down at my assigned seat, pencil, eraser, and registration postcard in hand. The proctor plunked the test down in front of me. There was a big "2" on it. As in "Level 2". Huh? Looked at my registration postcard, which also featured a big fat "2". Hmmmm...maybe this is why the application materials told me to check my registration card upon receipt? Wish I'd studied the additional 700 kanji and 4500 vocabulary words the Level 2 test expects one to know! So I did my best. I actually knew quite a few of the kanji and understood some of the listening section, but the grammar (50% of the overall score) was hopeless, so ain't no way I passed. Still, a pretty interesting experience. Possibly the most enjoyable test I've ever taken!

Wow. That sounds like an anxiety dream... You didn't also happen to have forgotten pants that morning, did you?