JLPT Exam Dates & Countdown
The JLPT is held twice a year — the first Sunday of July and the first Sunday of December. Below are the upcoming sittings with their registration windows and results dates, so you can plan backwards from exam day.
| Exam day | Session | Registration | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-12-06 | December 2026 | Late Aug – late Sep 2026 (varies by test site) | Late Jan 2027 (online) |
| 2027-07-04 | July 2027 | Late Mar – late Apr 2027 (varies by test site) | Early Sep 2027 (online) |
| 2027-12-05 | December 2027 | Late Aug – late Sep 2027 (varies by test site) | Late Jan 2028 (online) |
| 2028-07-02 | July 2028 | Late Mar – late Apr 2028 (varies by test site) | Early Sep 2028 (online) |
JLPT is held twice a year — the first Sunday of July and of December. Not every test site offers both sittings, and registration windows differ by country. Always confirm with your local test site.
How registration works
In Japan, you apply through JEES; overseas, each country has its own host institution and its own deadline — usually about three months before the exam. Registration often closes fast once seats fill, so check early. See the full walkthrough in our dates & registration guide.
Working backwards from exam day
Once your date is set, plan in reverse: lock in grammar and vocabulary first, then shift to timed mock tests in the final weeks. Start from your level's study guide:
- How to Study for JLPT N5: A Beginner's Plan
- How to Pass JLPT N4: A Complete Study Plan
- How to Pass JLPT N3: A Complete Study Plan
- Timed mock tests · rehearse under the clock
Dates last checked 2026-08-03. Always confirm with the official source: jlpt.jp and your local test site.