JLPT Exam Info
The practical facts about the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test — what each level means, how the test is scored, when it's held, and how to register. New here? Start with which level to take.
The JLPT in 60 seconds
The JLPT has five levels, from N5 (beginner) up to N1 (advanced) — counter-intuitively, the bigger number is the easier test. It runs twice a year (July and December) at sites worldwide, though some countries only host the December sitting. The exam is entirely multiple-choice — there's no speaking or writing section — and is split into Language Knowledge (vocabulary & grammar), Reading, and Listening.
To pass, you need to clear both an overall score and a minimum in each section, so you can't simply outscore one weak area with a strong one. Pick a level that matches where you are now, then use the level overviews below to see exactly what it covers.
Start here
- JLPT Levels Explained: Which Level Should You Take? (N5–N1) — What each JLPT level (N5 to N1) means, what it takes to pass, roughly how many study hours each needs, and how to choose the right level for you.
- JLPT Scoring Explained: Pass Marks & Sectional Minimums — How JLPT scoring really works — scaled scores, the pass mark for every level (N5–N1), and the all-important sectional minimums that fail otherwise-strong candidates.
- JLPT Test Dates & How to Register (A Simple Guide) — When the JLPT is held, how the registration windows work, what to expect on test day, and tips so you don't miss your spot. A practical guide for every level.
Level overviews (N5 → N1)
- JLPT N5 Explained: Format, Scoring, and Is It Hard? — Everything about JLPT N5 — the test format and timing, the 80/180 passing score with section minimums, how hard N5 is, and how to register. A clear guide for first-time test-takers.
- JLPT N4 Explained: Format, Scoring, and Is It Hard? — Everything about JLPT N4 — test format and timing, the 90/180 passing score with section minimums, how hard N4 is compared to N5, and how to register.
- JLPT N3 Explained: Format, Scoring, and Is It Hard? — Everything about JLPT N3 in one place — the test format and timing, the 95/180 passing score with sectional minimums, how hard N3 really is, and what you need to know to register.
- JLPT N2 Explained: Format, Scoring, and Is It Hard? — Everything about JLPT N2 — the level employers want. Test format and timing, the 90/180 passing score with section minimums, how hard N2 is, and how to register.
- JLPT N1 Explained: Format, Scoring, and How Hard Is It? — Everything about JLPT N1 — the highest level. Test format and timing, the 100/180 passing score with section minimums, what makes N1 so hard, and how to register.
Planning & test day
- How Long Does It Take to Study for the JLPT? (Realistic Timelines, N5–N1) — Honest, level-by-level estimates of how many hours and months it takes to pass each JLPT level from N5 to N1 — what changes the number, and how to get there faster.
- JLPT Pass Rates by Level — and What They Actually Mean — Typical JLPT pass rates from N5 to N1, why they're lower than you'd expect, how the sectional-minimum rule sinks otherwise-strong candidates, and where to find the official per-session figures.
- JLPT Test Day: What to Bring and What to Expect — A simple checklist for JLPT test day — what to bring (and what's banned), how the sections run in order, timing and breaks, and the small logistics that trip people up.