Coto Japanese Academy

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.
 
how many hours to pass jlpt study hours N5

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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:
“The Japanese Language Proficiency Test: JLPT” → https://cotoacademy.com/jlpt/
“Japanese Guide: How to Apply for the JLPT Online!” → https://cotoacademy.com/japanese-guide-apply-jlpt-online/
“How I Passed the JLPT N2 – Student Testimonial / JLPT Exam Guide”  → https://cotoacademy.com/passed-jlpt-n2-student-testimonial-jlpt-exam-guide/
“Study Tips to Pass JLPT N3″→ https://cotoacademy.com/study-tips-pass-jlpt-n3/
 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 
Check out our Online JLPT Prep Course: https://www.coto-language.com/jlptn2
 

Start taking Japanese lessons and pass JLPT!

When I arrived in Japan in January 2019, I barely knew Japanese. However, I was determined to learn the language as I thought life would be so much fun and easier if I was able to do basic communication with the locals. I could order food by myself, I could ask for directions if I got lost or I could understand anime without subtitles. 

I have read plenty of books, used different websites and applications, taken some classes, as well as used various methods to study Japanese. Fast forward to now, I have finally passed JLPT N2. Even though I still have much more to learn, I feel like I have more confidence to communicate in my daily life and I’m glad that I decided to take the exam last December.

In this article, I will write about how I prepared for the exam in the past year, how I did on the actual test day and what I (or anyone who plans to take an exam) can do to improve the chance of passing JLPT N2.

This article is part of our Ultimate Guide to Passing the JLPT N2.

Why I Took JLPT N2?

In the beginning, I tried to find the best motivation to learn Japanese and I decided to take the JLPT exam because I could study regularly, took the exam and saw the result of my hard work. By the time of December 2020, I passed N3. My kanji, vocabulary and grammar were okay, however, my listening and speaking skills didn’t reach the level I wanted them to be so I decided to put N2 on hold and focused on other skills instead.

I was constantly checking LinkedIn and realized that most Japanese companies require a minimum N2 level

By the end of 2021, I was working at home for 2 years due to the pandemic and I reached the point where I was so done with my repetitive life. I was constantly checking LinkedIn and realized that most companies require a minimum N2 level for jobs in Japan (check out other job-hunting websites here), so I decided it might be time to get back to studying for JLPT again.

How I Studied for JLPT N2

When I prepared for JLPT N2, I was mostly studying by myself at my own pace using different resources. I normally have different textbooks in one study session such as grammar, vocabulary, kanji and reading books. I usually read one chapter (which can be around 3-4 pages) of each book per day when I have free time during work or after work hours. For me, the weekend is my cheat day so I don’t really study Japanese because I think studying every day can be too tiring.

Learning JLPT N2 Grammar

My office has offered a Japanese class for one hour per week and we used TRY! JLPT N2 Grammar (TRY! 日本語能力試験 N2 文法から伸ばす日本語). I mainly use this book because the design of the book is simple and looks easy on the eyes. Each grammar point is separated nicely with an English explanation and some cute pictures. I didn’t feel overwhelmed when I read the book and it encouraged me to study the whole chapter outside of the class without feeling too tired. I also like this book because it contains a bit of everything. You can do some grammar, reading, and listening exercises at the end of each chapter.

On the other hand, I also used the famous New Kaizen Master Grammar JLPT N2 (新完全マスターN2文法). This book contains so many grammar points which probably cover everything you need to know for the exam. However, all the explanations are in Japanese and sometimes I even needed to use google translate to understand what they are saying in the book. It was very useful but it took a lot of time to study this book and I found it a little bit too intense. 

Check out: 20 Must-Know Grammar Points for the JLPT N2!

Leaning JLPT N2 Vocabulary and Kanji

I have been using Wanikani since the beginning of my Japanese learning. This app teaches kanji and vocabulary using repetitive and mnemonics methods. You learn the radicals, the kanji that use these radicals and the vocabulary that uses these kanji. Then, you review the lesson repetitively until you pass to the next level and the cycle continues. 

By the time I prepared for N2, I had already reached level 35 and luckily the kanji in these levels are in the N2 exam. The method they use is a great help for memorizing. The only downside of Wanikani is that you need to start from the beginner level because you can’t skip the level. So if you already know kanji, it won’t be fun to start learning from 一、ニ、三 again.

Besides the app, I also studied kanji from Kanji Master N2 (漢字 マスター N2). I like this book because the structure is simple. Each page is divided into categories and it has only 6 kanji with some vocabulary or simple example sentences so it was not too much to memorize in one day. The other book I used was 2500 Essential Vocabulary for JLPT N2 (はじめての日本語能力試験 N2単語2500). This book contains all the vocabulary you should know for the exam. Plus, I like the red sheet that you can put on the page to hide the vocabulary so you can review them later.

We have also provided samples of our N2 Kanji Worksheets 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 N2 exam. Click on the topic to download.

JLPT N2 Reading and Listening

Reading and listening are always my weakest points when it comes to studying for JLPT N2. I had struggled to finish the reading section of N3 exam so I decided that I need to practice reading more and bought Nihongo So-matome JLPT N2: Reading Comprehension (日本語総まとめ N2 読解). The book is already designed for you to read 2 pages a day for 6 weeks. It has different types of reading you will see in the exam and also includes some points that you should be careful about. It’s easy to read with some explanation and strategy to tackle the articles.

As for listening, I didn’t buy any books but I mostly just browsed the “JLPT N2 listening test” on YouTube. There are plenty of videos of the past exams online that I could practice with so I tried to do at least one video per day.

Check out: 15 JLPT N2 Books for Advanced Japanese Learners

Other Resources for N2 Study

After finishing the books for each skill set, I also review all my studies with Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 Complete Strategy・Text & Practical Quest (一発合格！日本語能力試験Ｎ２完全攻略テキスト＆実践問題集). This book contains some explaining and practice for all of the skills so I could recap all of the vocabulary, and grammar as well as reading and listening comprehension one more time. I also bought some mock test books to prepare myself because it’s extremely important to be familiar with the test structure and time management.

Last month before the exam, I studied with Shin Nihongo 500 Mon (新にほんご500問). This book comes with 4-week study plans where you have to answer 3 sections (kanji reading, vocabulary and grammar) daily. On the 7th day of each week, you will have to answer the questions about what you have been learning so far that week. I felt like I could recap what I had learned and correct my mistakes. Moreover, the book is small and easy to carry anywhere.

Besides studying for JLPT, I also studied Japanese regularly with the Duolingo app. It is fun, easy and fast. It feels like I’m playing a game and learning something.

I also take Natural and Fluent Japanese Communication 1 and 2 as well as Japanese Explanation Training at Coto Academy. I would like to improve my speaking skill but the grammar points in these classes are around N2 and N3 levels so it felt like a recap for my JLPT preparation at the same time. Practicing them in conversation also helped me to remember easier which helped me quite a lot during the exam.

How I Did During the Exam

Even though you are well prepared for the exam, unexpected things can happen to throw you off and that was what happened to me on the actual exam day. I had arrived almost an hour before the exam time and there was a massive queue in front of the exam site. Due to some unknown issue, the examinees couldn’t enter the building and I was finally able to arrive at my seat 2 minutes before the exam started. Some people still entered the room 10 minutes after while the staff was explaining about the exam.

The N2 exam is divided into 2 sections: 105 minutes for language knowledge (vocabulary and grammar) and reading, and 50 minutes for listening. I started doing the exam while I was still kinda stressed out by the queuing situation. However, I did my best to calm down because I had no time to waste. During my N3 exam, I had barely finished the reading section so I knew that I had to power through the others as fast as I could.

My strategy was to answer what I knew. If I didn’t, I just let it go and I tried not to spend too much time thinking about it. Even if I don’t know, I would pick the answers that are most likely to be correct without leaving them blank because there was a chance that I didn’t have enough time to come back to answer them. I shaded the dubious answers lightly on the exam sheet so I could easily erase and change the answer later. If I didn’t have time to reread the questions, I could just easily shade them heavier in no time.

I was able to finish the vocabulary and grammar part within an hour. I couldn’t answer here and there but I just dove into the reading section. The first few parts were relatively short so I didn’t have much trouble. However the longer the articles were, the less concentration I had. By the end of the last few parts, I didn’t know what I was reading anymore. I tried to read the questions first and skim through the articles to find answers which saved me some time.

We had a short break so I rushed out of the room for a toilet as fast as I could to beat the long queue and came back for the listening section. The important thing is that they will play the audio one time only so you need to listen carefully and pick the answer right away because you won’t have time to come back as they will collect the answer sheet right after the audio ends.

The listening went well until some unexpected event occurred. During the part where I had to listen to short questions and 3 choices of responses. The audio played the question, then skipped the answer and played the next questions instead. The whole room was gasping and I assumed a lot of the examinees lost their concentration. The exam continued until the end but the staff decided to replay the missing answers and the next 2 questions. Once again, the answers to the second question were missing and they had to replay for the third round. By that time my brain didn’t function anymore and I was ready to prepare for another N2 exam.

My JLPT N2 Result 

I took the exam in December so the result came back at the end of January. In order to pass N2, you must score more than 90 points overall and more than 19 points in each section (language knowledge, reading and listening).

I passed N2 with a few scores above the passing score. Surprisingly I had the best score from the listening section. I received A and B on vocabulary and grammar respectively. On the other hand, I got the lowest score in the reading section as I expected and the score was actually a bit below 50% (but still more than 19 points).

Advice to Myself and Others who Want to Take the Exam

Even though my score isn’t very good, I have learned so much from this test, especially, I should be calmer and more relaxed when unexpected events occur. Moreover, I have some tips which I think might be helpful for test preparation.

Pick your own books

It’s great to find reviews and comments on which books you should buy for exam preparation because there are plenty of books out there. However, I think it’s important to go check the bookstore or find a PDF example online before buying anything. Everyone has different preferences. Some people like to read texts with a lot of explanations while some like to see various example sentences. You should pick the books that suit your style and you don’t feel like giving up after a few pages.

Do a lot of mock tests

One of the hardest things in the JLPT exam is time management. Even though you know everything, you can fail the test if you can’t finish the exam in time. It’s important to do a lot of mock tests to be familiar with the test structure so you know how much time you should spend on each section. You can learn which part you aren’t good at or which part you take too much time to do.

Find your weak point 

You can look at previous exams or mock tests and see which section you have the lowest score in. Then, you can focus on that particular section such as buying specific books that concentrate on that skill. My weakest point is reading so I try to focus on it. Besides reading more books, I also plan to take a News Reading class at Coto as well.

Conclusion 

There is a big gap between N3 and N2 but nothing is impossible. How I prepared for JLPT N2 might be different from other people, but I hope you find this article useful and encourage you to prepare for the examination. It’s important to learn with your own style and at your own pace. I hope you can find your favorite books or any other methods to study and good luck with the upcoming exam!

Looking to enhance your career prospects and take your Japanese language proficiency to the next level? Look no further than Coto Academy’s JLPT N2 preparation course! Our comprehensive online program is specifically designed to help you master the essential elements of the JLPT N2 exam, ensuring you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.

Our online seminar-style lectures are structured to provide you with personalized attention and support, allowing you to work through the material at your own pace while listening to the lecture on the screen. Plus, if you prefer in-person learning, we also offer a fantastic JLPT prep course that provides you with face-to-face instruction and practical support.

Sign up today and take the first step toward your language learning goals!

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!

Do you want to know how to pass the JLPT N5? Are you starting Japanese from zero as a complete beginner?

This guide will give you information about:

  • What is the JLPT N5?
  • Scoring sections for the JLPT N5 – What Sections is it divided into?
  • Registering for the JLPT N5
  • How to study to for the N5 Kanji and Vocabulary Section
  • How to study to for the N5 Grammar and Reading Section

What is the JLPT N5

The JLPT N5 is the first level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test ( also known as the 日本語能力試験)

It is the standardized examination used by universities and employers inside and outside of Japan to test a persons Japanese language ability.

Recently – the JLPT N5 has become more necessary when applying for certain types of student visas to Japan – and in some cases it is actually required that you have a JLPT N5 passing certificate before you can apply.

As you can see from the graphic below (students who self reported their study hours) – it takes about 460 hours of study for a person to go from 0 – to passing the Jlpt N5 comfortably.

This should not scare you – that’s just around 2-3 hours a day of study for 6 months.

Important note: You should also keep in mind that studying for the N5 level includes learning the Japanese written alphabets of katakana and hiragana for the first time.

So it really depends whether or not you’re learning to actually write those characters by hand – or simply you just want to be able to read them for the purposes of passing the exam.

We definitely recommend that you learn to write them – as it also makes learning to read much easier – but if you have limited time before you need to pass the exam, you can consider that as a way to shorten the time it takes.

how many hours to pass jlpt study hours N5

How is the JLPT N5 Scored? What sections appear on the JLPT N5

Scoring for JLPT is divided into 2 sections, vocabulary,grammar,reading and listening.

When you take the JLPT N5 – the test will be divided into two testing sections. This means that you will have a cumulative score for the Kanji, Vocabulary, Reading and Grammar. And you will be tested separately with a listening section.

During this listening section you will listen to audio segments that they play and have to answer questions given to you in those audio segments.

How to Register for the JLPT N5

Registering for the JLPT will depend on your country of residence – to find out where you can take the JLPT and where you can register for it – you can consult our registration guide.

Learning the JLPT N5 Kanji & Vocabulary

The N5 Contains roughly 100 or so Kanji that you need to memorize and around 800 vocabulary words.

(Of course you can pass without fully knowing all of these – but there are no guarantees which words will be appearing on your exam.)

We have created a handy JLPT Mega list that you can download and track your progress with – it has all of the Kanji and Vocabulary that you will need to pass the exam.

We would also recommend you check out our list of the top 100 japanese words.

We also have a JLPT N5 Kanji writing workbook that you can buy online and print at home.

This workbook contains stroke order diagrams that will teach you the strokes that you need in order to learn how to write the characters properly.

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.

Unit 1. JLPT N5 Kanji – Numbers
Unit 2. JLPT N5 Kanji – Time
Unit 3. JLPT N5 Kanji – People and Body
Unit 4. JLPT N5 Kanji – Nature
Unit 5. JLPT N5 Kanji – Direction

Learning Grammar for the JLPT N5

Although there is no separation between the points scoring for the vocabulary and the grammar section – we would recommend that you study for them differently.

A good way to get a head start on this grammar is to check out some of our handy basic grammar guides – as well as our te form conjugation guide.

How to conjugate te form
Basic Grammar Guides (1-4)

Feeling up for a challenge?  Check out our 30 Day JLPT N5 Grammar Listening Challenge!  It’s available here for free, and you are drilled on 2 phrases a day with flashcards and videos. 

JLPT Sensei also provides a handy n5 grammar list that you can use in your studies.

If you are studying for the JLPT N5 – we have online lessons that will help you to prepare!

Do not hesitate to get in touch and good luck with your learning.

Start taking Japanese lessons and pass JLPT N5!

This week we have a student story from Jeff, one of our Coto Online students that have been taking Online Lessons to prepare for the JLPT N2
Jeff was kind enough to share his study habits with us and his experience in passing the JLPT N2
So without further Ado here is what Jeff-san had to say when we asked him about his experiences passing the JLPT N2

What is your experience with learning Japanese, studying at coto and passing the JLPT N2?

I began learning Japanese 5 years ago. At the time I was in the US Navy and stationed in Japan, at the Yokosuka naval base near Yokohama. My wife is Japanese and it was always my goal to be able to talk to her and her family in Japanese rather than English, so I began taking evening courses at Coto, and after I separated from the Navy I was able to take the intensive course at Coto for 8 weeks prior to moving back to the US.
This gave me a good foundation to continue studying Japanese with Coto online courses. Back in the US, I have been taking online lessons with Uehara-sensei roughly once a week. After I passed the N3 level, the only grammar study I did was through Coto online classes with Uehara-sensei, learning grammar from the “Natural and Fluent” worksheets.
On my own I tried to read Japanese novels, looking up all the Kanji and words I didn’t know and making Anki flashcards from them, which in the beginning could be 10-20 words a page, so great for vocabulary building. I slowly worked through the novels of Tsujimura Mizuki such as Asa ga Kuru and Kagami no Kojo, the travel books by Murakami Haruki (I love his travel books but I don’t really care for his novels), as well as the crime novels by Miyabe Miyuki which were difficult but accessible after passing N3. Initially, I also read all the daily articles on NHK News Web Easy, and was able to gradually transition to regular NHK News Web stories.
For listening, I would listen to Mook Study which is a Japanese history podcast, and the absolutely fantastic YouTube channel by Nakata Atsuhiko, which covers history, literature and current events. And of course, watching any and every Japanese language program on Netflix with Japanese language subtitles if available. I have seen all 58 episodes of Shingeki no Kyojin more than a few times. I don’t think to study primarily from native materials is a good strategy to maximize your score on the JLPT, but it is much more enjoyable than spending your free time doing drills from grammar or test prep books.
Fortunately, the Natural and Fluent worksheets and online lessons from Coto combined with studying from real books, videos and podcasts was enough to pass N2, and more importantly, when visiting Japan, Japanese rarely respond in English anymore when I start a conversation. And I can communicate with my wife and her family in Japanese about most topics!
-Jeff , Coto Student
——-

Preparing for the JLPT N3? In this blog, we will be covering 20 essential JLPT N3 grammar points for the JLPT N3 test!
For those interested – we are currently offering a JLPT N3 Online Preparation Course – and you can also buy our JLPT N3 Kanji Writing Workbook

Want to study even more?


Here is the list of our

20 Must-Know Grammar Points:

jlpt n3 grammar point 代わりに
代わりに

Grammar Point 1: 代わりに　Kawari ni

This grammar point is used to express an alternative. It can be combined with a verb, い-adjective, な-adjective and noun!

jlpt n3 grammar point kiri　きり
きり

Grammar Point 2: きり　Kiri

This grammar point means ‘only’ or ‘just’, and is used with nouns.

jlpt n3 grammar point　っけ
っけ

Grammar Point 3: っけ　Kke

This grammar point is used during a conversation when the speaker is trying to recall some information. It is usually used when asking a question in order to confirm or affirm something.

jlpt n3 grammar point くらい　ぐらい
くらい　ぐらい

Grammar Point 4: くらい / ぐらい　Kurai / Gurai

This grammar point is used to express an approximation of things and can also mean ‘to the extent of …’.

jlpt n3 grammar point　くせに
くせに

Grammar Point 5: くせに　Kuseni

This grammar point is often used to express blame, anger or criticism.

jlpt n3 grammar point　ばかり
ばかり

Grammar Point 6: ばかり　Bakari

This grammar point is often used to express shock, surprise or negative judgment. The meaning is not always negative and will usually depend on the context. To get a more nuanced understanding of how ばかり is used, check out our Online JLPT N3 Prep Course! 

jlpt n3 grammar point べき
べき

Grammar Point 7: べき　Beki

This grammar point is used to say something we should or must do. It can be used as べき or べきだ.

jlpt n3 grammar point だらけ
だらけ

Grammar Point 8: だらけ　Darake

This grammar point means ‘full of’ or ‘covered with’, and is combined with nouns.

jlpt n3 grammar point ふりをする
ふりをする

Grammar Point 9: ふりをする　Furi o suru

This grammar point is used when someone is pretending to be or acting as something that is not true.

jlpt n3 grammar point gatai　がたい
がたい

Grammar Point 10: がたい　Gatai

This grammar point is used to express something that is so difficult to do, it may even be impossible and cannot be done. It is used by combining with a verb-ます form. When adding this grammar point to the verb, be sure to remove ます at the back.

jlpt n3 grammar point まま
まま

Grammar Point 11: まま　Mama

This grammar point expresses something as it is or that it has a lack of change.

jlpt n3 grammar point んだって
んだって

Grammar Point 12: んだって　Ndatte

This grammar point is a quoting particle used in conversations to express what you have heard other people say.

jlpt n3 grammar point moraitai　もらいたい
もらいたい

Grammar Point 13: もらいたい　Moraitai

This grammar point is used to express a want or desire for something, usually when asking for favors. It can be used by combining it with a verb-て form.

jlpt n3 grammar point nazenara　なぜなら
なぜなら

Grammar Point 14: なぜなら　Nazenara

This grammar point is usually used in formal situations, to express a reason or cause for something.

jlpt n3 grammar point　にかわって
にかわって

Grammar Point 15: にかわって　Ni kawatte

This grammar point is usually used when someone is replacing someone, or doing something on behalf of someone. Do note that this can only be used with people and not with objects!

jlpt n3 grammar point らしい
らしい

Grammar Point 16: らしい　Rashii

This grammar point is used to say ‘it seems like’, ‘I heard…’ or ”apparently…’.

jlpt n3 grammar point　その結果
その結果

Grammar Point 17: その結果　Sono kekka

This grammar point is used to express the result of something. These Kanji are covered in our JLPT N3 Kanji Writing Workbook!

jlpt n3 grammar point ことだ
ことだ

Grammar Point 18: ことだ　Kotoda

This grammar point is used when giving advice or suggestions to someone. It can mean either ‘should’ or ‘should not’ depending on the context.

jlpt n3 grammar point しかない
しかない

Grammar Point 19: しかない　Shikanai

This grammar point expresses that there is no choice but to do something. It can be used by adding it to verbs.

jlpt n3 grammar point たびに
たびに

Grammar Point 20: たびに　Tabini

This grammar point means ‘every time’ or ‘whenever something happens’.

Want to learn more N3 Grammar points?

Get access to our JLPT N3 Grammar Guidebook!
This Handy N3 Textbook will allow you to learn all of the important grammar points covered on the JLPT N3 exam.
This version includes all 127 grammar points you need to pass the JLPT N3!

 

Start taking Japanese lessons and pass JLPT N3 exam!

Studying for the JLPT N3?

After working through ‘Minna no Nihongo’, gloriously passing JLPT levels N5 or N4 and mastering the basic grammar needed to order your favourite sushi, your next step should be to level up to JLPT N3.

This level is described as ‘the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations. Looking to pass the easy way? Learn how to pass the JLPT N3 with our JLPT N3 Online Course!

Let’s take a look at what skills are needed to do well on each part, and get some useful tips on how to ace the test!
Kanji
Vocabulary
Grammar
Reading
Listening

Note: Finding the right JLPT N3 textbook is just as important as studying the subject. That’s why we recommend you check our JLPT N3 textbook recommendations before you continue.

1. Kanji

Bad news: You must know approximately 650 kanji in order to pass.
Good news: You should already know around 300 of them, from N5 and N4. You are already halfway there!
The kanji is getting progressively more difficult. However, what works best is studying the most common radicals first, as it is easier to find meaning in each kanji.
Most importantly, practice, practice practice!
A website extremely useful is NHK’s New Web EASY. It is not always easy studying for N3, and I usually need a dictionary, but it is great reading practice.
The thing that makes it easier, is that most topics will be familiar to you as they would be news articles. As texts on familiar topics are a lot easier to understand, I’m less likely to give up quickly.
Another useful N3 Kanji resource is our JLPT N3 Kanji Writing Workbook! This do-it-yourself PDF workbook is downloadable and will help you master the 369 kanji gap between N4 and N3.

2. Vocabulary

For me, the most difficult part of studying Japanese is expanding my vocabulary. Especially at the beginning, all words sounded very similar to me. It’s getting better, but it is still hard.
There was one website that greatly helped me expand my vocabulary, and that is renshuu.org. It is free, and one of the best resources for vocabulary cramming out there.
I use it on the train, when waiting in line, and even before going to bed. The words are grouped by JLPT level, and I recommend studying N1 or N2, to be well prepared for N3.

3. Grammar

When it comes to grammar, I prefer books over websites. One book I particularly like is ‘An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese’. This book is not just dry grammar, as it contains interesting information about Japanese culture too.
If you understand the grammar in the book, you should already be well prepared to take the JLPT N3 test.
Another piece of advice I would like to give is to do mock tests online. Whatever you don’t understand you can look up and include in your studies. However, after studying the book mentioned above there shouldn’t be many unknown words or structures in the test anymore.  For reference, the official website has a few practice questions.

4. Reading

study tips to pass jlpt n3 - reading


For the reading portion of the JLPT test, it should not be too difficult after you followed the advice above. Texts in the tests follow a very similar format every time it is conducted, and the subjects of the texts are never too surprising.
Even the kanji mostly have furigana to help you. Common themes are emails from a boss/co-worker, a trip (travel), someone talking about a memory they have, a bulletin with date/time information.

5. Listening

The JLPT N3 listening test is something you can’t learn from books only. The age-old adagio of conversation practice wherever you go comes into play here, and the TV can also be a useful study mate in this case.
Listening to comedians making fun of each other can help you get used to the flow and sound of the language, but keep in mind that it will be very different from what you will actually hear during the test.
What you will hear during the test is usually spoken quite slowly and clearly, so if you are used to people speaking at a natural speed you may be pleasantly surprised.
One of the best ways to practice conversation and work on your specific language issues is to go to a language school. At Coto Japanese Academy, the small class size and professional teachers will help you reach your Japanese language goals, not only to pass the JLPT but also to use in your daily life and work!
If being too busy is an excuse for you to skip out on your Japanese learning, then we have some advice for how you can learn Japanese on the go! Find out more here. If learning Japanese through the conventional textbook way is too boring, how about learning through some games instead? Find out more here!
Click to tweet this Japanese tip to share it with more Japanese learners!

Official JLPT N3 Exam Questions – Vocabulary

Try these offical JLPT exam vocabulary questions to test your n3 vocabulary!
Official JLPT N3 Exam Questions – Vocabulary

Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
 

Start taking Japanese lessons and pass JPLT N3 exam!