JLPT N4 Explained: Format, Scoring, and Is It Hard?

What is N4?

N4 sits one rung above N5 on the five-level JLPT ladder. The official description is the ability to "understand basic Japanese" used in everyday situations — a bit more than N5's "some basic Japanese." In practice, the jump from N5 is mostly about volume: roughly double the vocabulary and triple the kanji, plus grammar that lets you express more (giving and receiving, plain/casual forms, the conditional family).

Common targets: about 1,500 vocabulary words, ~300 kanji, and ~150 grammar points (see the N4 grammar list).

Test format & timing

That's about 115 minutes of testing, plus instructions and a break. Try every question type in our practice section.

Scoring & passing

Like N5, N4 reports two scores, not three — vocabulary, grammar and reading are combined:

You need 90/180 overall and both minimums (38/120, 19/60). The usual trap is listening — keep it in training so it doesn't drag you under the 19/60 floor. (More in our scoring guide.)

How hard is N4 (vs N5)?

N4 is harder than N5 mainly because of:

• Vocabulary volume — roughly double N5 (~1,500 words). This is the biggest lift.
• More kanji — around 300 cumulative, so kanji study has to keep pace.
• Richer grammar — casual/plain forms, giving-and-receiving verbs, conditionals, and more nuance.
• Slightly faster listening than N5, though still clear.

It's still firmly a beginner level, though — most learners reach it within a few months of N5. For a schedule, see how to pass N4.

When & how to register

• Dates: twice a year — first Sunday of July and December (some overseas sites offer December only).
• Registration: opens roughly 3–4 months before; apply via the official JLPT site (Japan) or a local host institution (abroad).
• Register early in big cities.

Quick recap

• N4 = second beginner level; ~115 minutes; scored 0–180.
• Pass = 90 total, with 38/120 and 19/60 minimums.
• ~1,500 words, ~300 kanji, ~150 grammar points.
• Held first Sunday of July and December.

Where to start with N4

You know the shape of the test — here's the N4 material to work through, roughly in this order:

• All 122 N4 grammar points, by theme — the full grammar checklist; each item links to a guide with meaning, examples and an instant drill.
• The N4 kanji list — every N4 kanji with readings, meanings and example words; tap any character to expand it in place.
• N4 situational conversations — N4 grammar in real dialogues set at real places in Japan.
• Reading & question-type practice — free drills in the exact formats the N4 exam uses, with instant feedback.
• A free N4 mock test — put it all together under real exam time.

Try a real N4 question set

Take a free JLPT N4 mock test →