The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test designed to test one's knowledge of Japanese. IT consists of 5 levels. N1 and N2 test proficiency in natural situations with highly complex material, N4 and N5 test basic comprehension of simple material and highly predictable situations, and N3 bridges the two.
Difficulty Levels[]
The JLPT has five levels, where N5 is the easiest and N1 is the most difficult. Linguistic competence required for the JLPT is expressed in terms of language activities, such as Reading and Listening, though language knowledge (such as vocabulary and grammar) are also required for these activities. "N4 and N5 measure the level of understanding of basic Japanese mainly learned in class. N1 and N2 measure the level of understanding of Japanese used in a broad range of scenes in actual everyday life. N3 is a bridging level between N1/N2 and N4/N5."[1]
- JLPT-N5 is the first level of the JLPT. To pass you need to be comfortable reading hiragana, katakana, as well as about 100 kanji. In addition, you should have a vocabulary of about 800 words.[2]
- JLPT-N4
- JLPT-N3
- JLPT-N2
- JLPT-N1
Estimated Study Time[]
| level | Students with kanji knowledge
(e.g. speakers of Chinese or Korean) |
Other students
(no prior kanji knowledge) |
|---|---|---|
| N1 | 1700~2600 hours | 3000~4800 hours |
| N2 | 1150~1800 hours | 1600~2800 hours |
| N3 | 700~1100 hours | 950~1700 hours |
| N4 | 400~700 hours | 575~1000 hours |
| N5 | 250~450 hours | 325~600 hours |
Format of the JLPT[]
Vocabulary[]
JLPT list[]
See Category:JLPT for a complete directory of the vocabulary lists for different JLPT levels.
External Links[]
- Official Website
- JLPT Sensei is a language blog and grammar database that helps in learning Japanese and passing the JLPT exam
- How to study for JLPT: A detailed guide for preparing for all levels of JLPT with infographics.
References[]
- ↑ JLPT (2012). Summary of Linguistic Competence Required for Each Level.
- ↑ Cruise (2015). How to pass JLPT N5 - Study Guide. In JLPT Sensei.