- The JLPT has five levels, from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest).
- N5 tests vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening. There is no speaking or writing section.
- You need roughly 100 kanji and 800 words, plus basic grammar (common study estimates).
- The test is held in July and December in many countries; some locations offer only one date per year.
- With consistent daily study, many beginners are ready in about six months.
What is the JLPT?
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験) is the most widely recognised certificate for Japanese as a foreign language. It’s organised by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services and is taken by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide each year.
There are five levels. N5 is the entry level; N1 is advanced enough for demanding professional work. A JLPT certificate doesn’t expire.
| Level | Roughly means | Common estimate |
|---|---|---|
| N5 | Understand basic Japanese | ~100 kanji · ~800 words |
| N4 | Understand everyday Japanese spoken slowly | ~300 kanji · ~1,500 words |
| N3 | Understand everyday Japanese to some degree | ~650 kanji · ~3,750 words |
| N2 | Understand everyday and some professional Japanese | ~1,000 kanji · ~6,000 words |
| N1 | Understand Japanese in a broad range of situations | ~2,000 kanji · ~10,000 words |
The N5 test format
N5 has three sections, all multiple choice:
| Section | What it tests | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Language knowledge: vocabulary | Kanji readings, spelling, word meaning | 20 min |
| Language knowledge: grammar · reading | Particles, sentence structure, short texts | 40 min |
| Listening | Short conversations and questions | 30 min |
There’s no speaking and no writing section: you answer by marking choices. That makes N5 very manageable with focused preparation, but it also means you should practise speaking separately if you want to use your Japanese.
How scoring works
N5 is scored out of 180 points. To pass, you need at least 80 points overall and a minimum in each of the two score sections: 38 of 120 in language knowledge and reading, and 19 of 60 in listening. So you can’t skip listening practice and make up for it with grammar.
What you need to know for N5
Scripts
All of hiragana and katakana. The test is written in Japanese script without romaji.
Kanji
Around 100 basic kanji: numbers, days of the week, time, people, directions and common verbs. Start with your first 10 kanji and the kanji in the days of the week.
Vocabulary
Around 800 everyday words: family, food, places, time, numbers, colours, common verbs and adjectives, plus fixed expressions like greetings.
Grammar
- です / ます polite forms, present, past and negative
- Core particles: は, が, を, に, で, へ, と, も, の, から, まで (see は vs. が)
- い- and な-adjectives
- Question words: なに, だれ, どこ, いつ, いくら, どうして
- て-form for requests (〜てください) and ongoing actions (〜ています)
- Existence with あります / います
- Wanting and inviting: 〜たい, 〜ませんか, 〜ましょう
Listening
Short, slow everyday conversations: shopping, directions, schedules. Listen to Japanese every day; this is where many learners lose points.
A 6-month N5 study plan
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hiragana, katakana, pronunciation, first 150 words |
| 2 | です/ます sentences, core particles, numbers, time, 30 kanji |
| 3 | Verbs and adjectives, past and negative, 300 words, 60 kanji |
| 4 | て-form, existence, questions, short reading texts |
| 5 | All ~100 kanji, ~800 words, daily listening |
| 6 | Practice tests under time pressure, review weak areas |
At 30 to 45 minutes a day, this is a realistic pace for most beginners. See also how long it takes to learn Japanese.
Dates and registration
The JLPT is usually held on the first Sunday of July and December. Registration runs through local test centres, often universities or Japanese cultural institutes, and typically opens several months before the test. Not every country offers both dates, so check the official JLPT website and your local host institution early.
Is the N5 worth taking?
Employers rarely ask for N5 on its own. Its real value is motivation and structure: a fixed date keeps you studying consistently, and passing is a proud first milestone on the way to N4 and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
How many kanji do you need for JLPT N5?
Around 100 kanji is the common study estimate. The JLPT does not publish an official list.
How long does it take to prepare for JLPT N5?
Many beginners are ready after about six months of consistent daily study of 30 to 45 minutes. Some take less, some more, depending on time and prior experience.
What is the passing score for JLPT N5?
You need at least 80 out of 180 points overall, plus at least 38 of 120 in language knowledge and reading and 19 of 60 in listening.
Does JLPT N5 have a speaking test?
No. The JLPT has no speaking or writing section. All questions are multiple choice, covering vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening.
When is the JLPT held?
Usually on the first Sunday of July and December, though some countries and cities only offer one of the two dates.