When I started learning Japanese, I was using the Genki textbook to learn kanji. I didn’t learn about the JLPT for a while. I’d wager the case is similar for many people. Also the JLPT has a number of levels, up to N1, which demonstrates a degree of fluency, so I wouldn’t say it’s used by beginners. I guess you could say the JLPT can be used as a tool, though I think more accurately it’s a benchmark and the resources geared towards passing it are tools.

Perhaps more importantly, RTK, as you said, is a kanji-learning method. The JLPT is a test that includes kanji, yes, but also grammar and vocabulary (reading) and listening sections.

At any rate, glad you wrote this up. Interesting perspective.

Now I know very well that JLPT is not officially a way of learning kanji, it is just a test but by being the most visible test of Japanese I think the JLPT is used by beginners to learn Japanese eg it’s a tool. RTK is the total opposite and anyone wanting to study for N4 or N5 wouldn’t use RTK as the kanji lists do not match up and of course you need the readings to pass JLPT.

So back to my original point – they are two different means to an end – learning kanji.

I have 10 apps on my iPhone that all categorise the kanji in to levels of JLPT and therefore I am “learning” those kanji via that program that categorises those kanji by their JLPT level.

It guess it’s a semantic argument ^_^. I believe that the JLPT has become synonymous (for some) with learning Japanese and therefore kanji.

A more meaningful comparison would be “JLPT vs. Kanken” as a set of yardsticks for your study, or “RTK vs. school-grade-based textbooks” as a way to internalize all them li’l squiggly things.

My point was it’s your choice as to how you choose to learn kanji. Most schools teach kanji the same old way eg JLPT. Every student learns the first 103 kanji along with the readings but have no choice. Visual learners may never know that RTK exists and therefore struggle to learn kanji.

While JLPT is not a method per se, it’s generally the only option given to students. They know nothing else but learning those kanji one by one and the associated readings. So in essence it is a method by default and of course a test.