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
| Order | Section | Time | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vocabulary — 文字・語彙 | ~25 min | kanji reading, orthography, context, paraphrase, usage |
| 2 | Grammar · Reading — 文法・読解 | ~55 min | grammar form, sentence ordering, text grammar, short/mid passages |
| 3 | Listening — 聴解 | ~35 min | task/point comprehension, verbal expression, quick response |
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:
| Band | Range | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (vocab/grammar) · Reading | 0–120 | 38 |
| Listening | 0–60 | 19 |
| Total | 0–180 | 90 |
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.
Try a real N4 question set
Take a free JLPT N4 mock test →
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for JLPT N4?
90 out of 180, with at least 38/120 in the combined language-knowledge-and-reading section and 19/60 in listening. You must meet the total and both minimums.
How long is the JLPT N4 test?
About 115 minutes of testing — roughly 25 minutes vocabulary, 55 minutes grammar and reading, and 35 minutes listening — plus instructions and a break.
How much harder is N4 than N5?
Mostly a volume jump: about double the vocabulary (~1,500 words) and triple the kanji (~300), plus richer grammar. It's still a beginner level and reachable a few months after N5.
Is N4 enough for a job in Japan?
Usually not on its own — most employers look for N2. N4 is a solid stepping stone that proves a real everyday-Japanese foundation.