Learning and practicing your N4 Kanji? Do you know what kind of words to use to describe your favorite hobby? If you don’t, you will shortly after using our Kanji Worksheet

JLPT N4 Kanji 音 楽
JLPT N4 kanji practice 作 料理

We have a new unit for you!
This is the third unit in the JLPT N4 series of free Kanji writing practice sheets that you can download and print.
You can check out our previously uploaded worksheets as well as look forward to more that we will update soon!
Click here to download: FREE Kanji Writing Practice Sheet – JLPT N4 Hobbies – PDF
 

https://cotoacademy.com/japanese-hobbies-sports-vocabulary-%e3%83%bc-sentence-examples-part-1/
https://cotoacademy.com/support/free-jlpt-kanji-writing-worksheet-pdfs-for-jlpt/?preview_id=42594&preview_nonce=b293a95dac&preview=true

Click here to get the full N4 Kanji writing workbook – Digital Download

Want to learn and practice your JLPT N4 with a Kanji worksheet? Do you know what kind of words to use to describe the seasons, weather or animals in Japanese?

In This Article: Unit 2 JLPT N4 Kanji

We have a new unit for you!

This is the second unit in the JLPT N4 series of free Kanji writing practice sheets that you can download and print.
You can check out our previously uploaded worksheets as well as look forward to more that we will update soon!

Click here to download: FREE Kanji Writing Practice Sheet – JLPT N4 Weather, Nature, Animal – PDF
JLPT N4 kanji weather Nature Animal 春 夏 秋 冬 朝
JLPT N4 kanji practice 夕 夜 海
Check out these articles below to learn more about the seasons in Japan.
https://cotoacademy.com/autumnal-equinox-day/
https://cotoacademy.com/support/free-jlpt-kanji-writing-worksheet-pdfs-for-jlpt/?preview_id=42594&preview_nonce=b293a95dac&preview=true

Click here to get the full N4 Kanji writing workbook – Digital Download

If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below. Courses can be found here

Are you trying to learn Kanji from the JLPT N4?? A Kanji worksheet would certainly help.

Do you know the Japanese words used to address your family members?

This is the first unit in the JLPT N4 series of free Kanji writing practice sheets that you can download and print.

This is a sample chapter from our JLPT N4 Kanji writing workbook –

Click here to get the full N4 Kanji writing workbook – Digital Download

JLP4 N4 kanji 私 家 族
N4 kanji practice 兄 弟 妹

Click here to download: FREE Kanji Writing Practice Sheet – JLPT N4 Family – PDF


Check out this article below to learn how to say Family in Japanese.
https://cotoacademy.com/japanese-essentials-talk-family/

Click here to get the full N4 Kanji writing workbook – Digital Download

Start taking Japanese lessons and master Kanji with us!

Welcome to the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N1 Exam!

The thought of taking JLPT is stressful, but what about preparing for them? With so many things to learn, it’s easy for anyone to feel completely disorganized.

Want to take your JLPT preparation to the next level? We have in-person and online JLPT courses taught by our experienced Japanese instructors to help you ace your next JLPT exam!

In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about the JLPT N1 Exam (test contents, length, scoring methods, etc.), how to register, how to prepare, what happens on test day, and some resources and lessons we offer at Coto Academy to help you through your studies.

Keep scrolling if you are considering or planning to take the JLPT N1 Exam!

Check out our guides for other JLPT levels as well:

1. About the JLPT

What is the JLPT?

Before we get started – what exactly is the JLPT? JLPT stands for Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, also known as 日本語能力試験. As the name suggests, the exam measures and certifies the Japanese proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers and is used by universities and employees inside and outside Japan. It is normally carried out twice a year in Japan and available in certain other countries. JLPT Exams are often taken by Japanese learners who are planning a future in Japan!

What are the different levels of the JLPT?

The JLPT is divided into five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. N1 is the most advanced level, and N5 is the most basic.

  • The N4 and N5 test you on basic Japanese that you can often learn in a classroom environment
  • The N3 acts as a bridge between N4/N5 and N2/N1
  • The N2 and N1 test you on a wider spectrum of Japanese knowledge used in various situations in everyday life

Who should take the JLPT? What are the advantages of taking the N1?

If you are looking for a job or planning to pursue education in Japan, your JLPT scores will be useful. JLPT certifications can also be advantageous when immigrating to Japan, as those who have passed the N2 and N1 qualify for preferential treatment.

Additionally, passing the JLPT N1 Exam can be an ultimate goal for Japanese learners wanting to test their ability to understand Japanese used in various circumstances.

2. About the JLPT N1 Exam

What does the N1 Exam test on?

The JLPT N1 Exam is an exam for upper-intermediate/advanced-level speakers. The JLPT N1 tests your ability to understand Japanese in various circumstances. This includes having no difficulty in:

  • Reading writings with logical complexity and/or abstract writings on various topics, such as newspaper editorials and critiques, and comprehending their structures and contents.
  • Reading written materials with profound content on various topics, following their narratives, and comprehensively understanding the writers’ intent.
  • Comprehending orally presented materials such as coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures, spoken at natural speed in a wide variety of settings, and following their ideas and comprehending their contents comprehensively
  • Understanding the details of the presented materials, such as the relationships among the people involved, the logical structures, and the essential points

How many sections are on the N1 Exam?

To study for the JLPT N1 Exam efficiently, it is important to be aware of its structure. The exam consists of two main sections, each testing different aspects of the Japanese language.

SectionQuestion types
1. Language Knowledge(Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading– Kanji reading
– Contextually-defined expressions
– Paraphrases
– Usage
– Sentential grammar 1 (selecting grammar form)
– Sentential grammar 2 (sentence composition)
– Comprehension (short passages)
– Comprehension (mid-size passages)
– Comprehension (long passages)
– Integrated comprehension
– Thematic comprehension (long passages)
– Information retrieval
2. Listening– Task-based comprehension
– Comprehension of key points
– Comprehension of general outline
– Verbal expressions
– Quick response
– Integrated comprehension

What is and is not covered in the JLPT N1 Exam?

For the above three sections, you must master approximately 10000 vocabulary words and 2000 kanji. Although this may sound like a lot, you should already know around 6000 words and 1000 kanji from N2-N5, so you are already halfway there! The vocabulary words and kanji covered in the N1 Exam include nouns and verbs from N2-5 and more complex terms necessary to comprehensively understand difficult written materials such as newspapers and critiques. This is similar to N2, but N1 differs because it will require you to understand Japanese abstractly. Therefore, topics related to art and literature might require focus.

Furthermore, you must be familiar with around 400 grammar points related to particle usage, formal and casual conjugations of verbs and adjectives for past and present tenses, and sentence combinations. Before taking the test, you should be comfortable reading and writing long passages.

Because the JLPT Exam does not test on speaking, Japanese learners who are not comfortable speaking in Japanese can theoretically still pass, as long as they have mastered the vocabulary, kanji, and grammar covered on the N1 Exam. (However, you must keep in mind that Japanese speaking and conversational abilities are still necessary for life if you are seriously considering a future in Japan!)

How long is the N1 Exam?

You are given different amounts of time for each of the two different test sections.

SectionTime
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading110 minutes
Listening60 minutes
Total Time170 minutes

You are given 170 minutes to complete the JLPT N1 Exam.

What is the scoring for the JLPT N1 like?

Although the N1 Exam contains two sections, the scoring is divided into three.

SectionRange of Scores
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) 0 – 60
Reading0 – 60
Listening0 – 60
Overall Score0 – 180

In total, your overall score can range from anywhere between 0 to 180.

For the N1 Exam, a passing score is anything above an overall score of 100 points. However, besides meeting the overall score of 95 points, you must also meet sectional pass marks of 19 points in the Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) Section, Reading Section, and Listening Section. This means that even if your overall score is above 100 points if you do not meet the sectional pass marks for all three of the sections, you cannot pass. Thus, balancing your knowledge and avoiding relying on one section for points is important.

For how long should I study to pass the N1?

how many hours does it take to pass jlpt - study hours N1

Students with kanji knowledge take 2150 hours of JLPT study to pass. With this time, you can travel from the south prefecture Yamaguchi in Honshu to the north prefecture Aomori on foot. 

For other students, it takes about 3900 hours. Traveling around the world by cruise would take about the same time.

For more information on necessary study hours for all levels of the JLPT, check out this blog article How Many Hours Does it Take to Pass the JLPT – Illustrated Guide.

3. How to Prepare

Mastering Kanji and Vocabulary

As previously mentioned, the JLPT N1 Exam covers around 2000 kanji (see the list of kanji by JLPT Sensei here) and 10000 vocabulary terms. (Of course, you do not have to know all of them to pass, but it’s impossible to predict which ones will be on the exam.)

By the time you are studying for the N1, you probably have already formed a solid study routine for Japanese kanji and vocabulary. Because the JLPT N1 tests you on many kanji and vocabulary, it is most efficient to memorize the kanji based on its usage rather than its meaning and pronunciation. It may also be useful to memorize parts of the kanji and the meanings of radicals. For a list of common kanji radicals. Visit this website.

The best way to master the kanji and vocabulary for N1 is to READ. Reading newspaper articles and magazines would be extremely effective in attaining the kanji and vocabulary you need, as most things featured on the JLPT N1 are at the same level as newspaper editorials and critiques. Reading news articles would help expand your vocabulary and improve your reading speed, comprehension skills, and ability to figure out meanings through context. You can easily access Japanese news articles on Yahoo, NHK, and Yomiuri Shinbun websites.

Mastering Grammar

To learn grammar points covered on the N1 Exam, you can check out our YouTube Channel, great for learning important N1 grammar points and improving your Japanese listening skills. We offer useful videos on phrases and grammar points commonly featured on the JLPT and include familiar examples to help you understand how they are often used in daily life. Here’s an example of our grammar videos:

If you are a person who learns better through videos and audio, check out our JLPT N1 Playlist where we have compiled all of the existing N1 grammar videos for you. Although we do not have as many videos as we do for other lower JLPT levels, we plan on expanding the playlist in the future!

Mastering Listening

The vocabulary used in the listening section is easier than in the reading section. However, we still recommend you get used to listening and simultaneously holding multiple Japanese sentences in your head. This skill is very important, as the JLPT exam does not let you hear the question until after you’ve heard the entire audio. To practice, watching Japanese films (without subtitles) and listening to podcasts is useful. Although watching the TV may also help, most things on television are strictly conversational. For the N1, focusing more on resources featuring educated discussions is recommended.

If you are looking for textbooks to help you through your studies toward an N1 certification, I recommend you check out the following:

  • New Kanzen Master Grammar (新完全マスター文法)
  • Nihongo Sou Matome (日本語総まとめ)

Both series prepare you for all the categories of study you will need, including Kanji, Vocabulary, Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Grammar.

Although self-studying is a great way to study at your own pace, textbooks, and worksheets may not perfectly prepare you for what’s to come on the JLPT Exam.

We recommend enrolling in offline or online courses at Coto to study for the N1.

4. Offline/Online Courses Offered at Coto

Coto Academy Staff

In addition to utilizing the resources mentioned above, we recommend you to check out Coto Academy‘s offline and online classes that are designed to fulfill your needs and help you through your studies with plentiful resources and interactive learning. (Offline classes are offered at our schools in Iidabashi (Tokyo) and Yokohama.)

Here is a list of lessons available at the JLPT N1 level. Click on your course of interest to learn more about the contents, price, and course schedule.

Coto Academy provides JLPT prep courses to help you ace your following JLPT exams; check the course information here and learn with us today!

Offline Courses (Tokyo/Yokohama)

  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience and comprehension and need 1-1 with a professional teacher. Instead of in small groups, you will privately meet a professional instructor and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to proactively tackle their language weaknesses.
  • JLPT Prep Courses – designed to prepare you for everything you will encounter on the JLPT in small groups of no more than 8 students. With in-house materials and an interactive classroom environment, you will work towards N1 certification alongside your peers.

Online Courses

  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience, comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher online. Instead of in small groups, you will meet privately with a professional instructor online via Zoom and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their language weaknesses proactively.
  • Group Lessons
    • Advanced Japanese Explanation Training – designed to help each student develop the ability to explain topics using correct Japanese grammar. This course is conversational. You will learn to talk about various topics – hobbies, experiences, dream house, job, etc. – and strengthen your ability to think proactively in Japanese.
    • Read and Discuss Current Events – focused on improving the student’s ability to talk about recent news and important topics in Japanese naturally. You will read articles currently being discussed in Japanese news and actively discuss topics ranging from politics to the environment to economics. This course is recommended because the N1 includes many newspaper articles and critiques in its reading comprehension section.
  • JLPT N1 Online Prep Lecture – designed for students wanting to study individually with the lesson material while listening to the lecture on the screen. It is an affordable and convenient option for those seeking a high-quality seminar-style classroom taught by a professional native. We utilize our in-house exercises and study materials specialized for JLPT preparation in this lecture. You will be assigned materials each week on Google Classroom.

To sign up for and enroll in classes, visit this page and you will be directed to schedule a free interview!

5. Join our JLPT Prep Courses

For effective studying for the JLPT N1, we highly recommend our JLPT N1 Prep Course! This Japanese language course is available both online and offline and will prepare you to take and successfully pass the JLPT N1 with a mix of in-house materials and hand-selected materials trusted by our instructors. The course will strengthen your vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading comprehension, and listening skills required to successfully obtain an N1 certification. By taking the JLPT N1 Prep Course, pass the exam and open more opportunities for your life in Japan!

For more information on JLPT Prep Courses (such as schedule and price), click here.

6. How to Register

Next Test Date: December 1st 2024

Application Period: Until September 12 (Thu), 17:00

Application Method: You must apply from the MyJLPT “JLPT Application” screen after registering with MyJLPT on the JLPT website of Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JESS).

Test Fee: 7,500 yen (consumption tax included)

Payment Methods: Credit card, bank wire transfer (pay-easy), payment at a convenience store

Once registered, you will receive a test voucher around mid-November, indicating your test location and more details about the JLPT Exam.

For more information, visit the JLPT Official Website.

7. What Happens on Test Day

It’s your big test day!

Before heading out to your test center, bring your test voucher, writing utensils (mechanical pencils are accepted), and maybe some snacks and a watch to help you with time management.

For examinees in Japan, your test will begin at 12:30, but the test center will be already open from 11:45. We recommend you head out early to be safe.

Once you arrive at your test venue, you will be asked to show your test voucher to the staff. Examinees are split into different rooms based on their voucher numbers. You will be instructed to enter one of these rooms.

Once you have found and entered your room, you will find the desk with your number. You will receive instructions from staff and begin your exam when it’s time.

The whole exam will take several hours to complete (in the case of the N1 Exam, 170 minutes), and you will get short breaks between each section. When the exam is finished, you must wait until all test papers have been collected before leaving the room.

*Processes at overseas testing sites may differ.

You’ve reached the end of the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N1 Exam. We hope this was helpful and wish you good luck on your studies!

Start taking Japanese lessons at Coto and pass the JLPT N1!

Welcome to the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N2 Exam!

The thought of taking JLPT is stressful, but what about preparing for them? With so many things to learn, it’s easy for anyone to feel completely disorganized.

Want to take your JLPT preparation to the next level? We have in-person and online JLPT courses taught by our experienced Japanese instructors to help you ace your next JLPT exam!

In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about the JLPT N2 Exam (test contents, length, scoring methods, etc.), how to register, how to prepare, what happens on test day, and some resources and lessons we offer at Coto Academy to help you through your studies.

Keep scrolling if you are considering or planning to take the JLPT N2 Exam!

Check out our guides for other JLPT levels as well:

1. About the JLPT

What is the JLPT?

Before we get started – what exactly is the JLPT? JLPT stands for Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, also known as 日本語能力試験. As the name suggests, the exam measures and certifies the Japanese proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers and is used by universities and employees inside and outside Japan. It is normally carried out twice a year in Japan and available in certain other countries. JLPT Exams are often taken by Japanese learners who are planning a future in Japan!

What are the different levels of the JLPT?

The JLPT is divided into five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. N1 is the most advanced level, and N5 is the most basic.

  • The N4 and N5 test you on basic Japanese that you can often learn in a classroom environment
  • The N3 acts as a bridge between N4/N5 and N2/N1
  • The N2 and N1 test you on a wider spectrum of Japanese knowledge used in various situations in everyday life

Who should take the JLPT? What are the advantages of taking the N2?

Your JLPT scores will be useful if you are looking for a job or planning to pursue education in Japan. JLPT certifications can also be advantageous when immigrating to Japan, as those who have passed the N2 and N1 qualify for preferential treatment.

Additionally, passing the JLPT N2 Exam can be a fitting goal for Japanese learners wanting to test their ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations and in various circumstances to a certain degree.

2. About the JLPT N2 Exam

What does the N2 Exam test on?

The JLPT N2 Exam is an exam for upper-intermediate/advanced-level speakers. The JLPT N2 tests your ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations and various circumstances to a certain degree. This includes having no difficulty in:

  • Reading materials are written clearly on a variety of topics, such as articles and commentaries in newspapers and magazines, as well as simple critiques and comprehending their contents
  • Reading written materials on general topics and following their narratives, as well as understanding the intent of the writers
  • Comprehending orally presented materials such as coherent conversations and news reports, spoken at nearly natural speed in everyday situations as well as in a variety of settings, and following their ideas and comprehending their contents
  • Understanding the relationships among the people involved and the essential points of the presented materials

How many sections are on the N2 Exam?

It is important to be aware of the structure of the exam to study for it efficiently. The JLPT N2 Exam consists of two main sections. Each section tests you on different aspects of the Japanese language.

SectionQuestion types
1. Language Knowledge(Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading– Kanji reading
– Orthography
– Word formation
– Contextually-defined expressions
– Paraphrases
– Usage
– Sentential grammar 1 (selecting grammar form)
– Sentential grammar 2 (sentence composition)
– Comprehension (short passages)
– Comprehension (mid-size passages)
– Integrated comprehension
– Thematic comprehension (long passages)
– Information retrieval
2. Listening– Task-based comprehension
– Comprehension of key points
– Comprehension of general outline
– Verbal expressions
– Quick response
– Integrated comprehension

What is and is not covered in the JLPT N2 Exam?

For the above three sections, you must master approximately 6000 vocabulary words and 1000 kanji. Although this may sound like a lot, you should already know around 3700 words and 650 kanji from N3-N5, so you are already halfway there! The vocabulary words and kanji covered in the N2 Exam include basic nouns and verbs from N4 and N5 and more complex terms necessary to understand difficult written materials such as newspapers, magazines, and simple critiques.

Furthermore, you must be familiar with grammar points such as particle usage, formal and casual conjugations of verbs and adjectives for past and present tenses, and sentence combinations. You must know around 200 more grammar points besides what you already know from the N3. Before taking the test, you should be comfortable reading and writing longer passages.

Because the JLPT Exam does not test on speaking, Japanese learners who are not comfortable speaking in Japanese can theoretically still pass, as long as they have mastered the vocabulary, kanji, and grammar covered on the N2 Exam. (However, you must keep in mind that Japanese speaking and conversational abilities are still necessary for life if you are seriously considering a future in Japan!)

How long is the N2 Exam?

You are given different amounts of time for each of the two different test sections.

SectionTime
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading105 minutes
Listening50 minutes
Total Time155 minutes

You are given 155 minutes to complete the JLPT N2 Exam.

What is the scoring for the JLPT N2 like?

Although the N2 Exam contains two sections, the scoring is divided into three.

SectionRange of Scores
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) 0 – 60
Reading0 – 60
Listening0 – 60
Overall Score0 – 180

In total, your overall score can range from anywhere between 0 to 180.

For the N2 Exam, a passing score is anything above an overall score of 90 points. However, besides meeting the overall score of 95 points, you must also meet sectional pass marks of 19 points in the Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) Section, Reading Section, and Listening Section. This means that even if your overall score is above 90 points if you do not meet the sectional pass marks for all three of the sections, you cannot pass. Thus, balancing your knowledge and avoiding relying on one section for points is important.

For how long should I study to pass the N2?

how many hours does it take to pass jlpt - study hours N2

For students with kanji knowledge, 1475 hours of JLPT study is required. A restricted privileges ATP certificate allows a pilot to serve as a co-pilot until he or she obtains 1,500 hours. – So you can become the co-pilot of an aircraft for this number of hours.

For other students, it takes about 2200 hours. As a reference, credentials for a USCPA (Certified Public Accountant) take 2000 hours. Have fun crunching numbers!

For more information on necessary study hours for all levels of the JLPT, check out this blog article How Many Hours Does it Take to Pass the JLPT – Illustrated Guide.

3. How to Prepare

Mastering Kanji and Vocabulary

As previously mentioned, the JLPT N2 Exam covers around 1000 kanji. (Of course, you do not have to know all of them to pass, but it’s impossible to predict which ones will be on the exam.)

We highly recommend you check out our JLPT N2 Kanji Self-Study Course (¥1,000) to learn the necessary N2 kanji.

Coto JLPT N2 Kanji Self-Study Course

This self-study course covers N2 kanji and contains a quiz for each kanji, a downloadable pdf workbook, and a printable cheat sheet to help you through kanji memorization.

Click on the image to check it out!

Additionally, you can check out our JLPT N2 Kanji Writing Workbook (¥1,500).

JLPT N2 Kanji Writing Workbook / Worksheets E-book

This downloadable and printable E-book aims to help you practice writing N2-level kanji and memorize them efficiently.

We have also provided samples of the worksheets free of charge at the below links! These are very useful as they give you an idea of some kanji you will be tested on during the N2 exam. Click on the topic to download.

The best way to master the vocabulary for N2 is to memorize the words along with their kanji. This will also help you retain all the kanji, so the vocabulary and kanji study reinforce each other.

Mastering Grammar

Grammer

To learn grammar points covered on the N2 Exam, you can check out the below articles on basic Japanese grammar for free:

In addition, our YouTube Channel is also great for learning important N2 grammar points, as well as improving your Japanese listening skills. We offer useful videos on phrases and grammar points commonly featured on the JLPT N2 and include familiar examples to help you get a grasp of how they are often used in daily life.

Here’s an example of our grammar videos:

If you are a person who learns better through videos and audio, check out our JLPT N2 Playlist, which has compiled all of the N2 grammar videos for you.

If you prefer to work with textbooks and worksheets, we recommend another self-study course! Our JLPT N2 Grammar Self-Study Course (¥1,000) is a grammar course that you complete all on your own.

Coto JLPT N2 Grammar Course

This course includes 149 lessons and 149 quizzes on grammar points that will be featured on the JLPT N2 Exam. You will also receive a link to download our JLPT N2 Grammar PDF Workbook upon purchase.

The JLPT N2 Grammar Workbook can also be purchased independently for ¥1,300.

JLPT N2 Grammar Guide

This workbook includes 124 grammar points you need to pass the JLPT N3. Each grammar point has short explanations in English and in Japanese. The workbook includes practice exercises that you can do on your own!

Although self-studying is a great way to study at your own pace, textbooks, and worksheets may not perfectly prepare you for what’s to come on the JLPT Exam.

We recommend enrolling in offline or online courses at Coto to study for the N2.

4. Offline/Online Courses Offered at Coto

Coto Academy Staff

In addition to the resources mentioned above, Coto Academy offers offline and online classes to help you through your studies. (Offline classes are offered at our schools in Tokyo and Yokohama.)

Here is a list of lessons available at the JLPT N2 level. Click on your course of interest to find out more details about its contents, price, and schedule.

Coto Academy provides JLPT prep courses to help you ace your following JLPT exams; check the course information here and learn with us today!

Offline Courses (Tokyo/Yokohama)

  • Intensive Courses
    • Advanced Level 1-2 – an 8-week intensive course in a class of no more than 8 students, designed to train you to understand abstract Japanese content. You will also broaden your conversation to topics of interest and specialized fields and become able to express and defend your point of view. Classes take place every weekday, each lasting 3 hours.
    • Advanced Level 3-4-5 – a 12-week advanced intensive course in which you will learn more abstract contents that will allow you to carry on and hold sophisticated conversations. By the end of this course, your grammar and vocabulary will become proficient enough that you will be able to speak in-depth and objectively with native Japanese speakers. This course also meets every weekday, each class lasting 3 hours.
  • Part-time Lessons
    • Natural and Fluent Japanese Communication 2 – the goal of this course is to acquire a broad spectrum of vocabulary and freely use it in numerous sentence patterns during conversations, so you’ll be able to speak about general things in Japanese only.
    • Business Japanese – you will learn the etiquette and vernacular of doing business in Japan. The course will teach you basic formal expressions (basic keigo), setting-specific expressions on business situation in Japan.
    • Japanese Explanation Training – designed for anyone who can communicate using only Japanese but feels they have problems with detailed explanations. The course will improve your ability to speak about familiar topics in-depth.
    • Keigo Training – designed to hone your Keigo Japanese to improve your Japanese language in a professional setting.
  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience, comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher. Instead of in small groups, you will meet privately with a professional instructor in-person and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their weaknesses in the language proactively.
  • JLPT Prep Courses – designed to prepare you for everything you will encounter on the JLPT, in small groups of no more than 8 students. With in-house materials and interactive classroom environment, you will work towards N2 certification alongside your peers.

Online Courses

  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience, comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher online. Instead of in small groups, you will meet privately with a professional instructor online via Zoom and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their weaknesses in the language proactively.
  • Group Lessons
    • Business Lite Intensive – designed to teach Japanese that is common in the workplace to prepare you for a job in Japan. A group of more than 8 students.
    • Business Japanese – dedicated to cover basic formal expressions (basic keigo) and setting-specific expressions in Japanese business scenes.
    • Natural and Fluent Japanese 2 – a grammar-focused course encouraging students to acquire a broad spectrum of vocabulary and freely use it in numerous sentence patterns during conversations.
    • Japanese Explanation Training – designed for anyone who can communicate using only Japanese, but feel they have problems with detailed explanations. The course will improve your ability to speak about familiar topics in-depth.
    • Read and Discuss Current Events – focused on improving the students’ ability to naturally talk about recent news and important topics in Japanese. You will read articles that are in current discussion in Japanese news and actively discuss over topics ranging from politics to environment to economics. Because the N2 includes many newspaper articles and critiques in its reading comprehension section, this course is recommended.
    • Advanced Japanese Explanation Training – designed to help each student develop the ability to explain topics using correct Japanese grammar. This course is conversational. You will learn how to talk about a variety of topics – hobbies, experiences, dream house, job, etc. – and strengthen the ability to proactively think in Japanese.
    • JLPT N2 Grammar – a year-long course that will prepare you for the JLPT N2 Exam. You will read passages common to the JLPT N2 Exam and learn how to use most of the grammar points covered on the N2.
    • JLPT N2 Reading – a 6 month course focusing on the key points of reading comprehension necessary for the JLPT N2 exam.
  • JLPT N2 Online Prep Lecture – designed for students wanting to study individually with the lesson material while listening to the lecture on the screen. It is an affordable and convenient option for those who are looking for a high-quality seminar-style classroom taught by a professional native. In this lecture, we utilize our in-house exercises and study materials specialized for JLPT preparation. You will be assigned materials each week on Google Classroom.

To sign up for and enroll in classes, visit this page and you will be directed to schedule a free interview!

5. Join our JLPT Prep Courses

Japanese teacher teaching Japanese to the students

For effective studying for the JLPT N2, we highly recommend our JLPT N2 Prep Course! This Japanese language course is available both online and offline and will prepare you to take and successfully pass the JLPT N2 with a mix of in-house materials and hand-selected materials trusted by our instructors. The course will strengthen your vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading comprehension, and listening skills required to successfully obtain a N2 certification. By taking the JLPT N2 Prep Course, pass the exam and open more opportunities for your life in Japan!

For more information on JLPT Prep Courses, click here.

6. How to Register

Next Test Date: December 1st 2024

Application Period: Until September 12 (Thu), 17:00

Application Method: You must apply from the MyJLPT “JLPT Application” screen after registering with MyJLPT on the JLPT website of Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JESS).

Test Fee: 7,500 yen (consumption tax included)

Payment Methods: Credit card, bank wire transfer (pay-easy), payment at a convenience store

Once registered, you will receive a test voucher around mid-November, indicating your test location and more details about the JLPT Exam.

For more information, visit the JLPT Official Website.

7. What Happens on Test Day

It’s your big test day!

Before heading out to your test center, make sure to bring your test voucher, writing utensils (mechanical pencils are accepted), and maybe some snacks and a watch to help you with time-management.

For examinees in Japan, your test will begin at 12:30, but the test center will be already open from 11:45. We recommend you to head out early to be safe.

Once you arrive at your test venue, you will be asked to show your test voucher to the staff. Examinees are split into different rooms based on their voucher numbers. You will be instructed to enter one of these rooms.

Once you have found and entered your room, you will find the desk that has your number on it. You will receive instructions from staff and begin your exam when it’s time.

The whole exam will take several hours to complete (in the case of the N2 Exam, 155 minutes) and you will get short breaks between each section. When the exam is finished, you will need to wait until all test papers have been collected before you can leave the room.

*Processes at overseas testing sites may differ.

You’ve reached the end of the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N2 Exam. We hope this was helpful and wish you good luck on your studies!

Start taking Japanese lessons at Coto and pass the JLPT N2!

Welcome to the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N3 Exam!

The thought of taking JLPT is stressful, but what about preparing for them? With so many things to learn, it’s easy for anyone to feel completely disorganized.

Want to take your JLPT preparation to the next level? We have in-person and online JLPT courses taught by our experienced Japanese instructors to help you ace your next JLPT exam!

In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about the JLPT N3 Exam (test contents, length, scoring methods, etc.), how to register, how to prepare, what happens on test day, and some resources and lessons we offer at Coto Academy to help you through your studies.

If you are considering or planning to take the JLPT N3 Exam, keep scrolling!

Check out our guides for other JLPT levels as well:

1. About the JLPT

What is the JLPT?

Before we get started – what exactly is the JLPT? JLPT stands for Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, also known as 日本語能力試験. As the name suggests, the exam measures and certifies the Japanese proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers and is used by universities and employees inside and outside Japan. It is normally carried out twice a year in Japan and is also available in certain other countries. JLPT Exams are often taken by Japanese learners planning a future in Japan!

What are the different levels of the JLPT?

The JLPT is divided into 5 different levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5, with N1 being the most advanced level and N5 being the most basic.

  • The N4 and N5 test you on basic Japanese that you can often learn in a classroom environment
  • The N3 acts as a bridge between N4/N5 and N2/N1
  • The N2 and N1 test you on a more wider spectrum of Japanese knowledge used in various situations in everyday life

Who should take the JLPT? What are the advantages of taking the N3?

If you are looking for a job or planning to pursue education in Japan, then your JLPT scores will come in handy. JLPT certifications can also be advantageous when immigrating to Japan, as those who have passed the N2 and N1 qualify for preferential treatment.

However, JLPT is only really useful for employment or immigration when you have passed the N2 or N1. This guide focuses on JLPT N3, which does not have much real-life use other than to check and prove your personal improvement in Japanese.

Still, the JLPT N3 Exam can be a fitting goal for Japanese learners wanting to test their ability to fairly understand Japanese used in everyday situations. A N3 certification acts as a nice intermediate-level bridge between the easier levels and the harder levels of the JLPT. It will prepare you for the more difficult stuff covered in N2 and N1!

2. About the JLPT N3 Exam

What does the N3 Exam test on?

In general, the JLPT N3 Exam is an exam for intermediate-level speakers. The JLPT N3 tests you on the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree. This includes having no difficulty in:

  • Reading and understanding materials concerning specific everyday topics
  • Grasping summary information such as newspaper headlines
  • Reading and fairly understanding slightly difficult writings encountered in everyday situations
  • Listening and comprehending everyday conversations spoken at near-natural speed, following their contents, and grasping the relationships among the people involved

How many sections are are on the N3 Exam?

To study for the exam efficiently, it is important to be aware of the structure of the test. The JLPT N3 Exam consists of three main sections. Each of the three sections tests you on different aspects of the Japanese language.

SectionQuestion types
1. Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)– Kanji reading
– Orthography
– Contextually-defined expressions
– Paraphrases
– Usage
2. Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading– Sentential grammar 1 (selecting grammar form)
– Sentential grammar 2 (sentence composition)
– Text grammar
– Comprehension (short passages)
– Comprehension (mid-length passages)
– Comprehension (long passages)
3. Listening– Task-based comprehension
– Comprehension of key points
– Comprehension of general outline
– Verbal expressions
– Quick response

What is and is not covered in the JLPT N3 Exam?

For all of the above three sections, you must master approximately 3700 vocabulary words and 650 kanji. Although this may sound like a lot, you should already know around 1500 words and 300 kanji from N5 and N4, so you are actually already halfway there! The vocabulary words and kanji covered in the N3 Exam include basic nouns and verbs from N4 and N5, as well as more complex terms necessary to understand slightly difficult written materials such as newspaper headlines.

Furthermore, you must be familiar with typical grammar points such as particle usage, formal and casual conjugations of verbs and adjectives for past and present tenses, and sentence combinations. Before taking the test, you should be comfortable with reading and writing middle-length sentences and passages.

Because the JLPT Exam does not test on speaking, Japanese learners who are not comfortable speaking in Japanese can theoretically still pass, as long as they have mastered the vocabulary, kanji, and grammar covered on the N3 Exam. (However, you must keep in mind that Japanese speaking and conversational abilities are still necessary for life if you are seriously considering a future in Japan!)

How long is the N3 Exam?

You are given different amounts of time for each of the three different test sections.

SectionTime
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)30 minutes
Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading70 minutes
Listening40 minutes
Total Time140 minutes

In total, you are given 140 minutes to complete the JLPT N3 Exam.

What is the scoring for the JLPT N3 like?

Since the N3 Exam contains three sections, the scoring is divided into three as well.

SectionRange of Scores
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) 0 – 60
Reading0 – 60
Listening0 – 60
Overall Score0 – 180

In total, your overall score can range from anywhere between 0 to 180.

For the N3 Exam, a passing score is anything above an overall score of 95 points. However, in addition to meeting the overall score of 95 points, you must also meet sectional pass marks of 19 points in the Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) Section, Reading Section, and the Listening Section. This means that even if your overall score is above 95 points, if you do not meet the sectional pass marks for all three of the sections, you cannot pass. Thus, it is important to balance out your knowledge and avoid relying on one section for points.

For how long should I study to pass the N3?

how many hours does it take to pass jlpt - study hours N3

For students already with kanji knowledge, it takes 900 hours. This is about the same as a attaining a Spanish Food Le Cordon Bleu diploma.

For other students, it takes around 1325 hours of studying. With this amount of time, you can become an architect!

For more information on necessary study hours for all levels of the JLPT, check out this blog article How Many Hours Does it Take to Pass the JLPT – Illustrated Guide.

3. How to Prepare

Mastering Kanji and Vocabulary

As previously mentioned, the JLPT N3 Exam covers around 650 kanji. (Of course, you do not have to know all of them to pass, but it’s impossible to predict which ones will be on the exam.)

We highly recommend you to check out our JLPT N3 Kanji Self-Study Course (¥1,000) to learn the necessary N3 kanji.

JLPT N3 kanji self study course

This self-study course covers N3 kanji and contains a quiz for each kanji, downloadable pdf workbook, and printable cheat sheet to help you through kanji memorization.

Click on the image to check it out!

Additionally, you can check out our JLPT N3 Kanji Writing Workbook (¥1,000).

JLPT N3 Kanji Writing Workbook / Worksheets E-book

This is a downloadable and printable E-book aimed to help you practice writing N3-level kanji and memorize them efficiently.

We have also provided samples of the worksheets free of charge at the below links! These are very useful as they give you an idea of some kanji that you will be tested on during the N3 exam. Click on the topic to download.

As you move on from N5 and N4 to N3-level kanji, it becomes important to learn about kanji radicals and know the meanings of individual parts of kanji. This will help you memorize each kanji more productively and recognize definitions of words better. When studying N3 kanji, we recommend you to study parts of each kanji as well.

Mastering Grammar

Although the JLPT N3 Exam scores vocabulary and grammar cumulatively, it is recommended that you study for them independently. To learn grammar points covered on the N3 Exam, you can check out the below articles on basic Japanese grammar for free:

We have also prepared for you a free, downloadable Japanese Particles Cheat Sheet & Guide.

It covers 17 common particles, its usages, meanings, and example sentences.

In addition, our YouTube Channel is also great for learning important N3 grammar points, as well as improving your Japanese listening skills. We offer useful videos on phrases and grammar points commonly featured on the JLPT N3 and include familiar examples to help you get a grasp of how they are often used in daily life.

Here’s an example of our grammar videos:

If you are a person who learns better through videos and audio, check out our JLPT N3 Playlist where we have compiled all of the N3 grammar videos for you.

If you prefer to work with textbooks and worksheets, we recommend you another self-study course! Our JLPT N3 Grammar Self-Study Course (¥1,000) is a grammar course that you complete all on your own.

This course includes 153 lessons and 153 quizzes on grammar points that will be featured on the JLPT N3 Exam. Upon purchase, you will also receive a link to download our JLPT N3 Grammar PDF Workbook.

The JLPT N3 Grammar Workbook can also be purchased independently for ¥1,300.

JLPT N3 Grammar Guide

This workbook includes 127 grammar points you need to pass the JLPT N3. Each grammar point has short explanations in English and in Japanese. The workbook includes practice exercises that you can do on your own!

Although self-studying is a great way to study at your own pace, textbooks and worksheets may not perfectly prepare you for what’s to come on the JLPT Exam.

We recommend enrolling in offline or online courses at Coto to more efficiently study for the N3.

4. Offline/Online Courses Offered at Coto

In addition to resources mentioned above, Coto Academy offers offline and online classes to help you through your studies. (Offline classes are offered at our schools in Tokyo and Yokohama.)

Here is a list of lessons available at the JLPT N3 level. Click on your course of interest to find out more details on the contents, price, and schedule of the course.

Coto Academy provides JLPT prep courses to help you ace your following JLPT exams; check the course information here and learn with us today!

Offline Courses (Tokyo/Yokohama)

  • Intensive Courses
    • Intermediate Level 1-2 – an 8 week transition course to the intermediate level. You will review previously-learned expressions so that you can hold more “natural” conversations in Japanese. The course meets every weekday for 3 hours.
    • Intermediate Level 3-4-5 – a 12 week intensive course at the intermediate level. You will further develop your proficiency in the Japanese language and practice your knowledge with real world scenarios. The course meets every weekday, each lesson lasting 3 hours.
    • Advanced Level 1-2 – an 8 week intensive course in a class of no more than 8 students, designed to train you in understanding abstract contents in Japanese. You will also broaden your conversation to topics of interest and specialized fields and become able to express and defend your point of view. Classes take place every weekday, each lasting 3 hours.
  • Part-time Lessons
    • Bridge to Intermediate – serves as a “Bridge” to the intermediate level. The course focuses on the core basic sentence patterns, improving vocabulary for a variety of daily situations, and building more complex sentences.
    • Natural and Fluent Japanese Communication 1 – the goal of this course is to acquire a broad spectrum of vocabulary and freely use it in numerous sentence patterns during conversations, so you’ll be able to speak about general things in Japanese only.
    • Business Japanese – you will learn the etiquette and vernacular of doing business in Japan. The course will teach you basic formal expressions (basic keigo), setting-specific expressions on business situation in Japan.
    • Keigo Training – designed to hone in your Keigo Japanese to improve your Japanese language in a professional setting.
  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience, comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher. Instead of in small groups, you will meet privately with a professional instructor in-person and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their weaknesses in the language proactively.
  • JLPT Prep Courses – designed to prepare you for everything you will encounter on the JLPT, in small groups of no more than 8 students. With in-house materials and interactive classroom environment, you will work towards N3 certification alongside your peers.

Online Courses

  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience, comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher online. Instead of in small groups, you will meet privately with a professional instructor online via Zoom and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their weaknesses in the language proactively.
  • Group Lessons
    • Bridge to Intermediate – serves as a “Bridge” to the intermediate level. The course focuses on the core basic sentence patterns, improving vocabulary for a variety of daily situations, and building more complex sentences.
    • Natural and Fluent Japanese 1 – a grammar-focused course encouraging students to acquire a broad spectrum of vocabulary and freely use it in numerous sentence patterns during conversations.
    • Business Lite Intensive – designed to teach Japanese that is common in the workplace to prepare you for a job in Japan. A group of more than 8 students.
    • Business Japanese – dedicated to cover basic formal expressions (basic keigo) and setting-specific expressions in Japanese business scenes.
    • Japanese Explanation Training – designed for anyone who can communicate using only Japanese, but feel they have problems with detailed explanations. The course will improve your ability to speak about familiar topics in-depth.
    • Read and Discuss Current Events – focused on improving the students’ ability to naturally talk about recent news and important topics in Japanese. You will read articles that are in current discussion in Japanese news and actively discuss over topics ranging from politics to environment to economics.
  • JLPT N3 Online Prep Lecture – designed for students wanting to study individually with the lesson material while listening to the lecture on the screen. It is an affordable and convenient option for those who are looking for a high-quality seminar-style classroom taught by a professional native. In this lecture, we utilize our in-house exercises and study materials specialized for JLPT preparation. You will be assigned materials each week on Google Classroom.

To sign up for and enroll in classes, visit this page and you will be directed to schedule a free interview!

5. Join our JLPT Prep Courses

For effective studying for the JLPT N3, we highly recommend our JLPT N3 Prep Course! This Japanese language course is available both online and offline and will prepare you to take and successfully pass the JLPT N3 with a mix of in-house materials and hand-selected materials trusted by our instructors. The course will strengthen your vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading comprehension, and listening skills required to successfully obtain a N3 certification. By taking the JLPT N3 Prep Course, pass the exam and open more opportunities for your life in Japan!

For more information on JLPT Prep Courses, click here.

6. How to Register

Next Test Date: December 1st 2024

Application Period: Until September 12 (Thu), 17:00

Application Method: You must apply from the MyJLPT “JLPT Application” screen after registering with MyJLPT on the JLPT website of Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JESS).

Test Fee: 7,500 yen (consumption tax included)

Payment Methods: Credit card, bank wire transfer (pay-easy), payment at a convenience store

Once registered, you will receive a test voucher around mid-November indicating your test location and more details about the JLPT Exam.

For more information, visit the JLPT Official Website.

7. What Happens on Test Day

It’s your big test day!

Before heading out to your test center, make sure to bring your test voucher, writing utensils (mechanical pencils are accepted), and maybe some snacks and a watch to help you with time-management.

For examinees in Japan, your test will begin at 12:30, but the test center will be already open from 11:45. We recommend you to head out early to be safe.

Once you arrive at your test venue, you will be asked to show your test voucher to the staff. Examinees are split into different rooms based on their voucher numbers. You will be instructed to enter one of these rooms.

Once you have found and entered your room, you will find the desk that has your number on it. You will receive instructions from staff and begin your exam when it’s time.

The whole exam will take several hours to complete (in the case of the N3 Exam, 140 minutes) and you will get short breaks between each section. When the exam is finished, you will need to wait until all test papers have been collected before you can leave the room.

*Processes at overseas testing sites may differ.

You’ve reached the end of the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N3 Exam. We hope this was helpful and wish you good luck on your studies!

Start taking Japanese lessons at Coto and pass the JLPT N3!

Welcome to the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N4 Exam!

The thought of taking JLPT is stressful, but what about preparing for them? With so many things to learn, it’s easy for anyone to feel completely disorganized.

Want to take your JLPT preparation to the next level? We have in-person and online JLPT courses taught by our experienced Japanese instructors to help you ace your next JLPT exam!

In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about the JLPT N4 Exam (test contents, length, scoring methods, etc.), how to register, how to prepare, what happens on test day, and some resources and lessons we offer at Coto Academy to help you through your studies.

If you are considering or planning to take the JLPT N4 Exam, keep scrolling!

Check out our guides for other JLPT levels as well:

1. About the JLPT

What is the JLPT?

JLPT stands for Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, also known as 日本語能力試験. As the name suggests, the exam measures and certifies the Japanese proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers and is used by universities and employees inside and outside Japan. It is normally carried out twice a year in Japan and available in certain other countries. JLPT Exams are often taken by Japanese learners who are planning a future in Japan!

What are the different levels of the JLPT?

The JLPT is divided into five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5, with N1 being the most advanced level and N5 being the most basic.

  • The N4 and N5 test you on basic Japanese that you can often learn in a classroom environment
  • The N3 acts as a bridge between N4/N5 and N2/N1
  • The N2 and N1 test you on a wider spectrum of Japanese knowledge used in various situations in everyday life

Who should take the JLPT? What are the advantages of taking the N4?

If you are looking for a job or planning to pursue education in Japan, your JLPT scores will be useful. JLPT certifications can also be advantageous when immigrating to Japan, as those who have passed the N2 and N1 qualify for preferential treatment.

However, JLPT is only really useful for employment or immigration when you have passed the N2 or N1. This guide focuses on JLPT N4, which does not have much real-life use other than to check your personal improvement and prove your interest in the Japanese language.

Still, the JLPT N4 Exam can be a fitting goal for Japanese learners wanting to test their comprehension skills and basic Japanese knowledge. By taking the N4 Exam, you may be able to discover your strengths and weaknesses and pursue your studies more efficiently after that. In addition, an N4 certification can prove your mastery of basic Japanese and prepare you for the more difficult stuff covered in higher JLPT levels.

2. About the JLPT N4 Exam

What does the N4 Exam test on?

The JLPT N4 Exam is an exam for upper beginners. Generally, the JLPT N4 tests you on the understanding of the core basics of Japanese, including your ability to read and comprehend passages on daily topics written in basic Japanese vocabulary and kanji. You also need to be able to listen and follow slow-spoken conversations in daily life situations. Vocabulary and expressions used in the N4 are slightly more advanced and complex compared to those featured in the N5. Like the N5, questions on the N4 are generally straightforward.

For more information on the JLPT N5 Exam, click here.

What are the different sections of the N4 Exam?

The JLPT N4 Exam consists of three main sections. Each of the three sections tests you on different aspects of the Japanese language.

SectionQuestion types
1. Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)– Kanji reading
– Orthography
– Contextually-defined expressions
– Paraphrases
– Usage
2. Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading– Sentential grammar 1 (selecting grammar form)
– Sentential grammar 2 (sentence composition)
– Text grammar
– Comprehension (short passages)
– Comprehension (mid-length passages)
3. Listening– Task-based comprehension
– Comprehension of key points
– Verbal expressions
– Quick response

What is and is not covered in the JLPT N4 Exam?

For all of the above three sections, you must master approximately 1500 vocabulary words and 300 kanji. This is 200 more kanji and 700 more vocabulary words compared to what you must know for the N5. The 1500 vocabulary words covered in the N4 Exam include basic nouns and verbs, as well as commonly used expressions, adjectives, adverbs, and some katakana words. In addition to the 100 N5 kanji that are naturally used in simple daily conversations (such as those related to numbers, time and days of the week, family members, and basic verbs), the N4 will cover kanji that are used in a wider variety of places such as restaurants and workplace. Once you’ve mastered the 300 N4 kanji, you may still have a difficult time reading native-level Japanese passages, but you will be able to survive in common situations.

Furthermore, you must be familiar with typical grammar points such as basic particle usage and formal and casual conjugations of verbs and adjectives for past and present tenses. Before taking the test, you should be comfortable with reading and writing simple sentences and expressing opinions.

Because the JLPT Exam does not test on speaking, Japanese learners who are not comfortable speaking in Japanese can theoretically still pass, as long as they have mastered the vocabulary, kanji, and grammar covered on the N4 Exam. (However, you must keep in mind that Japanese speaking and conversational abilities are still necessary for life if you are seriously considering a future in Japan!)

How long is the N4 Exam?

You are given different amounts of time for each of the three different test sections.

SectionTime
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)25 minutes
Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading55 minutes
Listening35 minutes
Total Time95 minutes

In total, you are given 95 minutes to complete the JLPT N4 Exam.

What is the scoring for the JLPT N4 like?

Although the N4 Exam contains three sections, the scoring is divided into two.

SectionRange of Scores
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading0 – 120
Listening0 – 60
Overall Score0 – 180

Your overall score can range from anywhere between 0 to 180.

For the N4 Exam, a passing score is anything above an overall score of 90 points. However, in addition to meeting the overall score of 90 points, you must also meet sectional pass marks of 38 points in the Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading Section and 19 points in the Listening Section. This means that even if your overall score is above 90 points, if you do not have meet the sectional pass marks for both of the sections, you cannot pass. Thus, it is important to balance out your knowledge and avoid relying on one section for points.

For how long should I study to pass the N4?

how many hours does it take to pass jlpt - study hours N4

For students with kanji knowledge, it takes 550 hours. That is the same as studying to improve your TOEIC score from 500 to 700.

For other students. It takes about 787 hours of studying to pass the N4. With this time, you can become a train driver in Japan.

For more information on necessary study hours for all levels of the JLPT, check out this blog article How Many Hours Does it Take to Pass the JLPT – Illustrated Guide.

3. How to Prepare

Mastering Kanji and Vocabulary

As previously mentioned, the JLPT N4 Exam covers around 300 kanji. (Of course, you do not have to know all of them to pass, but it’s impossible to predict which ones will be on the exam.)

We highly recommend you check out our JLPT N4 Kanji Self-Study Course (¥1,000) to learn the necessary N4 kanji.

JLPT N4 Kanji online self study course

This course covers N4 kanji and contains a quiz for each kanji, a downloadable pdf workbook, and a printable cheat sheet.

Additionally, you can check out our JLPT N4 Kanji Writing Workbook (¥500).

JLPT N4 Kanji Writing Workbook / Worksheets E-Book

This is a downloadable and printable E-book aimed to help you practice writing N4-level kanji and memorize them efficiently.

We have also provided samples of the worksheets free of charge at the below links! These are very useful as they cover many of the kanji that you will be tested on during the N4 exam.

As you move on from N5-level kanji to N4-level, it becomes important to learn about kanji radicals and know the meanings of individual parts of kanji. This will help you memorize each kanji more productively and recognize definitions of words better. When studying N4 kanji, we recommend you to study parts of each kanji as well.

Mastering Grammar

Although the JLPT N4 Exam scores vocabulary and grammar cumulatively, it is recommended that you study for them independently. The grammar section of the exam tests on basic particle usage (ha, ni, wo, etc.) and formal and casual conjugations of verbs and adjectives for past and present tenses.

To learn grammar points covered on the N4 Exam, you can check out the below articles on basic Japanese Grammar for free:

We have also prepared for you a free, downloadable Japanese Particles Cheat Sheet & Guide.

It covers 17 common particles, its usages, meanings, and example sentences.

Our YouTube Channel is also great for learning important N4 grammar points, as well as improving your Japanese listening skills. We offer useful videos on phrases and grammar points commonly featured on the JLPT N4 and include familiar examples to help you get a grasp of how they are often used in daily life.

Here’s an example of our grammar videos:

If you are a person who learns better through videos and audio, check out our JLPT N4 Playlist, which has compiled all of the N4 grammar videos for you.

Coto also offers a FREE JLPT N4 YouTube Video Grammar Course, which includes short quizzes testing you on each of the YouTube grammar videos. This free self-study course will help you understand the contents of the videos more clearly by testing and checking your understanding of the meaning and uses of every grammar point.

If you prefer to work with textbooks and worksheets, we recommend another self-study course! Our JLPT N4 Grammar Self-Study Course (¥1,000) is a 16-week course that you complete all on your own.

This course includes 68 lessons and 67 quizzes on grammar points that will be featured on the JLPT N4 Exam. Upon purchase, you will also receive a link to download our JLPT N4 Grammar PDF Workbook.

The JLPT N4 Grammar Workbook can also be purchased independently for ¥1,300.

JLPT N4 Grammar Guide

This workbook includes all 48 grammar points you need to pass the JLPT N4. Each grammar point has short explanations in English and in Japanese. The workbook includes practice exercises that you can do on your own!

Although self-studying is a great way to study at your own pace, textbooks and worksheets may not perfectly prepare you for what’s to come on the JLPT Exam.

We recommend enrolling in offline or online courses at Coto to more efficiently study for the N4.

4. Offline/Online Courses Offered at Coto

In addition to the resources mentioned above, Coto Academy offers offline and online classes to help you through your studies. (Offline classes are offered at our schools in Tokyo and Yokohama.)

Here is a list of lessons available at the JLPT N4 level. Click on your course of interest to learn more about the contents, price, and course schedule.

Coto Academy provides JLPT prep courses to help you ace your following JLPT exams; check the course information here and learn with us today!

Offline Courses (Tokyo/Yokohama)

  • Intensive Courses
    • Beginner Level 4-5-6 – a 12-week upper beginner course, perfect for students who want to start broadening their conversational Japanese. You will learn to express yourself with more complex phrases.
    • Intermediate Level 1-2 – an 8-week transition course to the intermediate level. You will review previously learned expressions so that you can hold more “natural” conversations in Japanese. The course meets every weekday for 3 hours.
  • Part-time Lessons
    • Effective Drill Training – aimed to help students improve their quick-response ability and build their confidence. You will use a series of specially designed drills and speaking training to improve your communication ability.
    • Conversation Level-up – focused on developing your ability to convey your wishes, ask for permission while giving a reason, study assumptive expressions, and express your feelings or things that happened more accurately.
    • Essential Grammar and Conversation – a part-time class dedicated to helping you practice making conversations about a variety of topics. You will improve your vocabulary and ability to converse smoothly throughout this course.
    • Bridge to Intermediate – serves as a “Bridge” to the intermediate level. The course focuses on the core basic sentence patterns, improving vocabulary for a variety of daily situations, and building more complex sentences.
  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience and comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher. Instead of in small groups, you will privately meet a professional instructor and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their language weaknesses proactively.

Online Courses

  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience, comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher online. Instead of in small groups, you will meet privately with a professional instructor online via Zoom and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their language weaknesses proactively.
  • Group Lessons
    • Essential Grammar & Conversation – an online part-time class dedicated to helping you practice making conversations about a variety of topics. You will improve your vocabulary and ability to converse smoothly throughout this course.
    • Bridge to Intermediate – serves as a “Bridge” to the intermediate level. The course focuses on the core basic sentence patterns, improving vocabulary for a variety of daily situations, and building more complex sentences.
    • Lite Intensive (Beginner 4) – an upper-beginner intensive course that uses the Genki textbook series and will cover ways to construct natural conversations. By the end of this course, you will be able to have more natural conversations and make long sentences.
  • JLPT N4 Online Prep Lecture – designed for students wanting to study individually with the lesson material while listening to the lecture on the screen. It is an affordable and convenient option for those seeking a high-quality seminar-style classroom taught by a professional native. We utilize our in-house exercises and study materials specialized for JLPT preparation in this lecture. You will be assigned materials each week on Google Classroom.

To sign up for and enroll in classes, visit this page and you will be directed to schedule a free interview!

5. How to Register

Next Test Date: December 1st 2024

Application Period: Until September 12 (Thu), 17:00

Application Method: You must apply from the MyJLPT “JLPT Application” screen after registering with MyJLPT on the JLPT website of Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JESS).

Test Fee: 7,500 yen (consumption tax included)

Payment Methods: Credit card, bank wire transfer (pay-easy), payment at a convenience store

Once registered, you will receive a test voucher around mid-November indicating your test location and more details about the JLPT Exam.

For more information, visit the JLPT Official Website.

6. What Happens on Test Day

It’s your big test day!

Before heading out to your test center, bring your test voucher, writing utensils (mechanical pencils are accepted), and maybe some snacks and a watch to help you with time management.

For examinees in Japan, your test will begin at 12:30, but the test center will be open from 11:45. We recommend you head out early to be safe.

Once you arrive at your test venue, you will be asked to show your test voucher to the staff. Examinees are split into different rooms based on their voucher numbers. You will be instructed to enter one of these rooms.

You will find the desk with your number once you have found and entered your room. You will receive instructions from staff and begin your exam when it’s time.

The whole exam will take several hours (in the case of the N4 Exam, 95 minutes), and you will get short breaks between each section. When the exam is finished, you must wait until all test papers have been collected before leaving the room.

*Processes at overseas testing sites may differ.

Welcome to our guide on passing the JLPT N5 Exam!

The thought of taking JLPT is stressful, but what about preparing for them? With so many things to learn, it’s easy for anyone to feel completely disorganized.

Want to take your JLPT preparation to the next level? We have in-person and online JLPT courses taught by our experienced Japanese instructors to help you ace your next JLPT exam!

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the JLPT N5 Exam (test contents, length, scoring methods, etc.), how to register, how to prepare, what happens on test day, and some resources and lessons we offer at Coto Academy to help you through your studies.

If you are considering or planning to take the JLPT N5 Exam, keep reading!

Check out our guides for other JLPT levels as well:

1. About the JLPT

What is the JLPT?

JLPT stands for Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, also known as 日本語能力試験. As the name suggests, the exam measures and certifies the Japanese proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers and is used by universities and employees inside and outside Japan. It is normally carried out twice a year in Japan and is also available in certain other countries. JLPT Exams are often taken by Japanese learners planning a future in Japan!

What are the different levels of the JLPT?

The JLPT is divided into 5 different levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5, with N1 being the most advanced level and N5 being the most basic.

  • The N4 and N5 test you on basic Japanese that you can often learn in a classroom environment
  • The N3 acts as a bridge between N4/N5 and N2/N1
  • The N2 and N1 test you on a more wider spectrum of Japanese knowledge used in various situations in everyday life

Who should take the JLPT? What are the advantages of taking the N5?

If you are looking for a job or planning to pursue education in Japan, then your JLPT scores will come in handy. JLPT certifications can also be advantageous when immigrating to Japan, as those who have passed the N2 and N1 qualify for preferential treatment.

However, JLPT is only really useful for employment or immigration when you have passed the N2 or N1. This guide focuses on N5, which does not have much real-life use other than to check your personal improvement and prove your interest in the Japanese language.

Still, the JLPT N5 Exam can be a viable first goal for beginner Japanese learners. You can set it as a short-term target. By taking the N5 Exam, you may be able to discover your strengths and weaknesses and pursue your studies more efficiently thereafter.

Additionally, JLPT N5 has recently become more necessary when applying for certain types of student visas to Japan. In some cases, it is actually required that you have a JLPT N5 certificate before you can apply.

2. About the JLPT N5 Exam

What does the N5 Exam test on?

Generally, the JLPT N5 tests you on the understanding of some core basics of Japanese, including your ability to read and comprehend elementary expressions and sentences expressed in hiragana, katakana, and some kanji. You also need to be able to listen and comprehend typical, slow-spoken conversations abundant in everyday life and in classroom environments.

What are the different sections of the N5 Exam?

The JLPT N5 Exam consists of three main sections. Each of the three sections tests you on different aspects of the Japanese language.

SectionQuestion types
1. Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)– Kanji reading
– Orthography
– Contextually-defined expressions
– Paraphrases
2. Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading– Sentential grammar 1 (selecting grammar form)
– Sentential grammar 2 (sentence composition)
– Text grammar
– Comprehension (short passages)
– Comprehension (mid-length passages)
3. Listening– Task-based comprehension
– Comprehension of key points
– Verbal expressions
– Quick response

What is and is not covered in the JLPT N5 Exam?

For all of the above three sections, you must master approximately 800 vocabulary words and 100 kanji. The 800 vocabulary words covered in the N5 Exam will correspond to the most commonly used words in the Japanese language. The 100 kanji will cover those that are naturally used in simple daily conversations, such as those related to numbers, time and days of the week, family members, and basic verbs (read, write, walk, etc.).

Furthermore, you must be familiar with typical grammar points such as basic particle usage (は、が、を etc.) and basic formal and casual conjugations of verbs and adjectives for past and present tenses. Before taking the test, you should be comfortable with reading and writing short, simple sentences.

Because the JLPT Exam does not test on speaking, Japanese learners who are not comfortable speaking in Japanese can theoretically still pass, as long as they have mastered the vocabulary, kanji, and grammar covered on the N5 Exam. (However, you must understand that Japanese speaking and conversational abilities are still necessary for life if you are seriously considering a future in Japan.)

How long is the N5 Exam?

You are given different amounts of time for each of the three different test sections.

SectionTime
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)20 minutes
Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading40 minutes
Listening30 minutes
Total Time90 minutes

In total, you are given 90 minutes to complete the JLPT N5 Exam.

What is the scoring for the JLPT N5 like?

Although the N5 Exam contains three sections, the scoring is divided into two.

SectionRange of Scores
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading0 – 120
Listening0 – 60
Overall Score0 – 180

Your overall score can range from anywhere between 0 to 180.

For the N5 Exam, a passing score is anything above an overall score of 80 points. However, in addition to meeting the overall score of 80 points, you must also meet sectional pass marks of 38 points in the Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading Section and 19 points in the Listening Section.

For how long should I study to pass the N5?

how many hours to pass jlpt study hours N5

For students with kanji knowledge (ex. Chinese students), it takes 350 hours to pass the N5 Exam. It’s close to the hours you would spend in preparing for a driver’s license in Japan. 

For other students who don’t have prior kanji knowledge, it takes 462 hours of studying. That is about the same as if you were to take a course to obtain a pastry diploma in Le Cordon Bleu – which is around 453 hours.

These hours estimates are gathered when students self report their estimated study time during the exam registration process. The question is added as a compulsory field.

For more information on necessary study hours for all levels of the JLPT, check out this blog article How Many Hours Does it Take to Pass the JLPT – Illustrated Guide.

3. How to Prepare

Mastering Kanji and Vocabulary

In addition to hiragana and katakana, the JLPT N5 covers around 100 kanji and 800 vocabulary words. (Of course, you do not have to know all of them to pass, but it’s impossible to predict which ones will be on the exam.)

We highly recommend you to check out our JLPT N5 Kanji Self-Study Course (¥1,000) to learn the necessary N5 kanji.

This course covers 103 kanji and contains a quiz for each kanji, downloadable pdf workbook, and printable cheat sheet.

The more detailed features and price of this course are outlined in this article.

Additionally, you can check out our JLPT N5 Kanji Writing Workbook (¥500).

JLPT N5 Kanji Writing Workbook / Worksheets E-Book

This is a printable PDF worksheet featuring 103 N5 kanji. It allows you to physically practice writing kanji and memorize them efficiently.

We have also provided several of the worksheets free of charge at the below links! These are very useful as they cover many of the kanji that you will be tested on during the N5 exam.

To become familiar with the most commonly used vocabulary words likely to appear on the JLPT N5 Exam, check out our list of the Top 100 Basic Japanese Words.

Mastering Grammar

Although the JLPT N5 Exam scores vocabulary and grammar cumulatively, it is recommended that you study for them independently. The grammar section of the exam tests on basic particle usage (ha, ga, wo, etc.) and formal and casual conjugations of verbs and adjectives for past and present tenses.

To learn grammar points covered on the N5 Exam, you can check out the below articles on basic Japanese Grammar:

We have also prepared for you a downloadable Japanese Particles Cheat Sheet & Guide.

It covers 17 common particles, its usages, meanings, and example sentences.

You can download the Particles Cheat Sheet by entering your email in the slot at the bottom of this page.

This article also covers some common Japanese particles and its usages.

Mastering Listening

To help you get prepare for the listening section, we have a 30 day challenge for you!

In our Free JLPT N5 30 Day Grammar Listening Challenge, you will spend 15 minutes each day for 30 days improving your listening and learning new grammar points. Each day, you will be given two phrases or grammar points and check your understanding with a flash card matching game. By the end of the course, not only will you have strengthened your listening, but you would have also learned 60 grammar points necessary to pass the N5 Exam!

Our YouTube Channel is also useful in widening grammar knowledge while practicing listening.

Although self-studying is a great way to study at your own pace, textbooks and worksheets may not perfectly prepare you for what’s to come on the JLPT Exam.

We recommend enrolling in offline or online courses at Coto to more efficiently study for the N5.

4. Offline/Online Courses Offered at Coto

In addition to resources mentioned above, Coto Academy offers offline and online classes to help you through your studies. (Offline classes are offered at our schools in Tokyo and Yokohama.)

Here is a list of lessons available at the JLPT N5 level. Click on your course of interest to find out more details on the contents, price, and schedule of the course.

Coto Academy provides JLPT prep courses to help you ace your following JLPT exams; check the course information here and learn with us today!

Offline Courses (Tokyo/Yokohama)

  • Intensive Courses
    • Japanese Crash Course – a 4 week crash course for absolute beginners to the Japanese language. This course is designed to teach you the basics of Japanese, starting with Hiragana and Katakana and moving onto topics or situations that you can use immediately in your daily life. This course meets every weekday.
    • Beginner Level 1-2-3 – a 12 week intensive course for those wanting to start learning the basics of conversational Japanese. With many opportunities for spoken role-play, you will be able to solidify what you learn and instill confidence in your ability to speak Japanese. This course meets every weekday.
  • Part-time Lessons
    • Practical Japanese for Beginners – a part-time course for complete beginners. You will start by learning Japanese skills for everyday use. Since you’ll be studying vocabulary for times and places, as well as basic grammar, you’ll be able to create simple sentences by yourself.
    • Active Basic Japanese Grammar A&B – this course acts as the foundation to be able to communicate in Japanese. By the end of this course, you will be able to to use basic conjugated forms and speak naturally.
    • Effective Drill Training – aimed to help students improve their quick-response ability and build their confidence. You will use a series of specially designed drills and speaking training to improve your communication ability.
    • Essential Grammar and Conversation – a part-time class dedicated to help you practice making conversations about a variety of topics. You will improve your vocabulary and ability to converse smoothly throughout this course.
  • Private Lessons – Intensive Courses
    • Beginner Level 4-5-6 – a 12 week upper beginner course, perfect for students who want to start broadening their conversational Japanese. You will learn to express yourself with more complex phrases.
    • Intermediate Level 1-2 – an 8 week transition course to the intermediate level. You will review previously-learned expressions so that you can hold more “natural” conversations in Japanese. The course meets every weekday for 3 hours.
  • Part-time Lessons
    • Effective Drill Training – aimed to help students improve their quick-response ability and build their confidence. You will use a series of specially designed drills and speaking training to improve your communication ability.
    • Conversation Level-up – focused on developing your ability to convey your wishes, ask for permission while giving a reason, study assumptive expressions, and express your feelings or things that happened more accurately.
    • Essential Grammar and Conversation – a part-time class dedicated to help you practice making conversations about a variety of topics. You will improve your vocabulary and ability to converse smoothly throughout this course.
    • Bridge to Intermediate – serves as a “Bridge” to the intermediate level. The course focuses on the core basic sentence patterns, improving vocabulary for a variety of daily situations, and building more complex sentences.
  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience, comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher. Instead of in small groups, you will meet privately with a professional instructor in-person and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their weaknesses in the language proactively.

Online Courses

  • Private Lessons – matched to our students’ Japanese study experience, comprehension, and needs 1-1 with a professional teacher online. Instead of in small groups, you will meet privately with a professional instructor online via Zoom and receive a lesson plan strictly designed to fit your needs and studying habits. Perfect for those wanting flexible scheduling to tackle their weaknesses in the language proactively.
  • Group Lessons
    • Practical Japanese for Beginners – an online part-time course for complete beginners. You will start by learning Japanese skills for everyday use. Since you’ll be studying vocabulary for times and places, as well as basic grammar, you’ll be able to create simple sentences by yourself.
    • Lite Intensive (Beginner 1) – this course strikes a balance between learning progress and study commitment. You can learn and progress in your ability, without having to worry about an overwhelming pace. This classes is a “minified” version of our intensive courses, meeting for 100 minutes twice per week.
    • Active Basic Grammar A&B – this online course acts as the foundation to be able to communicate in Japanese. By the end of this course, you will be able to to use basic conjugated forms and speak naturally.
    • Lite Intensive (Beginner 3) – this class meets twice a week and focuses on many aspects of the Japanese language. By the end of this course, you will be able to use a wide range of expressions, talk about your schedule, and give advice in Japanese.

To sign up for and enroll in classes, visit this page and you will be directed to schedule an interview!

5. How to Register

Next Test Date: December 1st 2024

Application Period: Until September 12 (Thu), 17:00

Application Method: You must apply from the MyJLPT “JLPT Application” screen after registering with MyJLPT on the JLPT website of Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JESS).

Test Fee: 7,500 yen (consumption tax included)

Payment Methods: Credit card, bank wire transfer (pay-easy), payment at a convenience store.

Once registered, you will receive a test voucher around mid-November indicating your test location and more details about the JLPT Exam.

For more information, visit the JLPT Official Website.

6. What Happens on Test Day

It’s your big test day!

Before heading out to your test center, make sure to bring your test voucher, writing utensils (mechanical pencils are accepted), and maybe some snacks and a watch to help you with time-management.

For examinees in Japan, your test will begin at 12:30, but the test center will be already open from 11:45. We recommend you to head out early to be safe.

Once you arrive at your test venue, you will be asked to show your test voucher to the staff. Examinees are split into different rooms based on their voucher numbers. You will be instructed to enter one of these rooms.

Once you have found and entered your room, you will find the desk that has your number on it. You will receive instructions from staff and begin your exam when it’s time.

The whole exam will take several hours to complete (in the case of the N5 Exam, an hour and a half) and you will get short breaks between each section. When the exam is finished, you will need to wait until all test papers have been collected before you can leave the room.

*Processes at overseas testing sites may differ.

You’ve reached the end of the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N5 Exam. We hope this was helpful and wish you good luck on your studies!

Start taking Japanese lessons and pass the JLPT N5

How Many JLPT Study Hours Do You Need to Pass?

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is the benchmark for your knowledge of Japanese.  In this post, we will show you some interesting comparisons to the number of JLPT study hours it will take you to pass each exam level.

Study Hours Needed for N5:

For students with kanji knowledge ( ex: Chinese students), it takes 350 hours. It’s close to the hours you would spend in preparing for a driver’s license in Japan.
For other students who don’t have prior kanji knowledge. It takes 462 hours. That is about the same as if you were to take a course to obtain a pastry diploma in Le Cordon Bleu – which is around 453 hours.

Study Hours Needed for N4:

For students with kanji knowledge, it takes 550 hours.
If you are a non-native English speaker, that is about the same as studying to improve your TOEIC score from 500 to 700.
For other students, it’s 787 hours. With this time, you can become a Train driver in Japan.

Study Hours Needed for N3:

For students with kanji knowledge, it takes 900 hours.
Almost the same as a Spanish  Food Le Cordon Bleu diploma – which clocks in at 879 hours.
For other students, it’s 1325 hours. With this amount of time – you can become an architect – as that course takes 1500 hours.

Study Hours Needed for N2:

For students with kanji knowledge, 1475 hours of JLPT study is required.
A restricted privileges ATP certificate allows a pilot to serve as a co-pilot until he or she obtains 1,500 hours. – So you can become the co-pilot of an aircraft.
For other students, it’s 2200 hours. A USCPA ( Certified Public Accountant ) takes 2000 hours to obtain. Have fun crunching numbers!

Study Hours Needed for N1: 

It takes 2150 hours of JLPT study for students with kanji knowledge to pass.
You can almost travel from the south of Yamaguchi in Honshu to the north of Aomori on foot.
For other students, it’s 3900 hours. Traveling around the world by cruise would take 3888 hours.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 
Related articles:
 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 
Check out our JLPT Course
 

Start taking Japanese lessons and pass JLPT!

Want to study Japanese with us?

This will be a thorough guide on how to apply for the JLPT online. It’s almost that time of the year again when most of us are getting all ready to sign up for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, otherwise known as the JLPT. With varying difficulty levels from N5 to N1 (with N1 being the most difficult), it is relatively important to start deciding on which level to take on the test date before applying for the JLPT online. With that being said, let’s get on with some of the details related to the test!

Test Dates

First things first, let’s go through the dates on which the tests are being held so you can mark them down on the calendar. Throughout the span of one year, there are typically JLPT tests being held biannually. These tests are usually held once in July and once in December.

  • First JLPT Test in 2023: July 2, 2023
  • Second JLPT Test in 2023: December 3, 2023

Registration Dates for 2023 July JLPT

Registration through the MyJLPT page is not yet open for the July 2023 JLPT. 

Registration Dates for 2023 December JLPT

Registration through the MyJLPT page is not yet open for the December 2023 JLPT. 

Test Location

Moving on, let’s see the various locations in which you can take the JLPT. You have two option: take the test locally in Japan or in an educational institute overseas. For the full and comprehensive list of overseas institutes which conduct JLPT, head on down to the link over here to check if it is an approved institute.

As the location in which you take the JLPT varies, there may be different procedures, windows or deadlines of which you have to take note. However, the test date still remains to be the same. For more information on how you would go about applying for the JLPT online or otherwise, please click on any one of the links below:

1. Taking the Test in Japan
2. Taking the Test from an Overseas Educational Institute

Test Components

Looking at the test components, JLPT Test Levels N1 to N3 is composed of 3 Components: Reading (60 marks), Vocabulary (60 marks) as well as Listening (60 marks). As for JLPT Test Levels N4 to N5, there are 2 Components: Japanese Language Knowledge (120 marks) and Listening (60 marks).

If you are unsure of how to prepare for JLPT N2 or N3, click on the links and it will lead you to a guide we came up with some time back! Also, check out our Digital JLPT N3 Kanji book and our JLPT N2 Online Prep Course!

However, in order to pass, you need to meet 2 conditions:

  1. Score at least 19 marks for any sections with 60 marks obtainable and 38 marks for sections with 120 marks obtainable.
  2. Meet the overall passing grade for the test at each level. Here’s a list of the passing marks:
JLPT Level
Vocabulary/ Grammar)
ReadingListeningTotal Score
N1191919100
N219191990
N319191995
JLPT LevelVocabulary/ Grammar and ReadingListeningTotal Score
N4381990
N5381980

How to Apply & Application Window

Part 1: Setting up a MyJLPT Account to Apply for the JLPT Online

Step 1: Apply for a MyJLPT Account here

How to apply for the JLPT online
How to apply for the JLPT online

Step 2: Choose your Language

Language

Step 3: Agree to the Terms and Conditions

How to apply for the JLPT online - Terms JLPT

Step 4: Fill up your Details and Confirm

JLPT Form

Step 5: Confirm your Personal Information and check your Email Inbox for a Confirmation Email


Part 2: Registering for a Test Online with your MyJLPT Account

Once you have obtained the myjlpt id you will be asked to complete the online application from your myjlpt page.  The website itself is more friendly to certain web browsers – and the site recommends that you use Microsoft edge.

JLPT Application Guide

Step 1: Log in to your My JLPT account

How to apply for the JLPT online

Step 2: Click on “Examination application

How to apply for the JLPT online

Step 3: Choose your application type

How to apply for the JLPT online

Step 4: Sign the agreement to the privacy policy

How to apply for the JLPT online

Step 5: Choose your level and fill in other details required

How to apply for the JLPT online

Step 6: Choose Payment type

If you are in Japan, you can pay the test fee through several payment methods: credit card, bank transfer or payment via the convenience store. Please confirm the available payment method for countries outside Japan. Generally, credit card is acceptable.

How to apply for the JLPT online
How to apply for the JLPT online - Payment

Step 7: Confirm your information

JLPT application

Final step: The application will be completed after confirmation of your information

Application Window

For local students, the application window can start anywhere from Mid-March (July Test) to Mid-August (December Test). As for overseas students, the application window can be anywhere from March to April (July Test) or August to September (December Test). Check your MyJLPT Account for more details and stay up to date on when you can apply.

Payment of Fees & Window for Payment to be Made

After completing your application, you must complete payment before your registration will be confirmed. Test Fees are approximately 5,500 Yen but may vary based on the location in which you decide to take the test.

If you are in Japan – the payment options for the JLPT range from online with a credit card to cash at a convenience store or post office.  If you are outside of Japan – the payment method will depend on the test location.

From January 17, 2022, a separate fee of 110 yen will be required for a cash payment from Japan Post Bank ATM. For group applications, a fee of 110 yen will be required for each “payment number”.

The test payment window for December is early to late September.

After making payment, you will be set to receive a Test Voucher which you would need to bring into your test venue to confirm and verify your status as a participant of the JLPT you have signed up for. Ensure that this slip of paper is well-kept and not lost as it is very important.

If you sign up for the JLPT 2022 in December, you will likely receive your test voucher sometime in November.

With these, remember to bring in some form of identification together with your Test Voucher. With that, take the test and you’re all good to go.

Release of Results

After all that hard work, just sit back, relax and give yourself a well-deserved break. Until the time comes, enjoy yourself! But until when? Well, the release of results can vary based on whether you’ve taken the test locally or from an overseas educational institute but here are some dates you can stay on the lookout for!

  • Local July Test: Early September
  • Local December Test: Early February
  • Overseas July Test: Early October
  • Overseas December Test: Early March

Note: For Overseas Students, collect your Score Reports, and hopefully a Certificate of Proficiency, at your Local Host Institute. As for Local Students, the Score Reports and Certificates will be mailed to you directly based on the address associated with your MyJLPT Account.

If you have questions about our school or taking JLPT Prep lessons with us, don’t worry. Here’s a link to the FAQ site where you can check to see if it answers any queries you have. With that, we would like to wish you all the best and happy studying! 😀

The next JLPT Examination is in: December 4, 2022

Registration is from: August 25 to September 15

To apply, you will need a MyJLPT account, which you can sign up for here. Once you have an account, you can sign in with your account and start to register.

Depending on when you take the test, the release of the results can differ. In general, you will get your results 2-3 months after the test. Here is when you should look out for your results depending on when you take the test!

  • Local July Test: Early September
  • Local December Test: Early February
  • Overseas July Test: Early October
  • Overseas December Test: Early March

If you have any JLPT related inquiries, you can visit the JLPT FAQ site. Your answer should be there.

Start taking Japanese lessons and pass the JLPT exam!