The JLPT explained
What the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test measures, how the N2 test is structured and scored, when it is held, and what an N2 certificate is generally taken to mean.
The five levels
The JLPT has five levels. N5 is the easiest and N1 the most advanced. Each level tests language knowledge (vocabulary and grammar), reading, and listening; there is no speaking or writing section.
N5
Basic Japanese: hiragana, katakana, elementary kanji and simple everyday phrases.
Study N5N4
Basic conversations and simple passages on familiar daily topics, with around 300 kanji.
Study N4N3
Bridge level: everyday situations, newspaper headlines and conversations at near-natural speed.
Study N3N2
Japanese used in everyday situations and in a variety of circumstances: newspapers, magazines, clear commentary, natural-speed conversation and news.
Study N2N1
Japanese used in a broad range of circumstances: editorials, abstract writing, complex logic, fast conversation and lectures.
N2 test structure
The N2 test is taken in two sittings on the same day. Every question is multiple choice, answered on a mark sheet.
| Test session | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 言語知識（文字・語彙・文法）・読解 Language knowledge (vocabulary, grammar) and reading | Kanji reading and writing, word formation, context, paraphrase, usage; grammatical form, sentence composition (並べ替え), text grammar; short, medium, integrated and long passages plus information retrieval. | 105 min |
| 聴解 Listening | Task-based comprehension (課題理解), point comprehension (ポイント理解), summary comprehension (概要理解), quick response (即時応答), integrated comprehension (統合理解). Audio is played once. | 50 min |
Total testing time is about 155 minutes, plus a break between the two sessions and time for instructions.
Scoring and pass marks
Results are reported as scaled scores, not raw counts, so the number of questions you answer correctly does not map one-to-one to points.
Total
180
Three sections of 0–60 each
Pass mark (N2)
90 / 180
Required total scaled score
Sectional minimum
19 / 60
In each of the three sections
- The three scoring sections for N2 are: Language knowledge (vocabulary/grammar), Reading, and Listening. Each is scaled 0–60.
- You must reach both the overall pass mark (90) and the sectional minimum (19) in every section. A high total does not compensate for a section below 19.
- Results include a reference breakdown (A/B/C) for vocabulary and grammar to show relative strengths, but only the scaled scores decide the pass/fail result.
Test dates and registration
The JLPT is held twice a year in most countries, though some test sites offer only one of the two sittings.
July
First Sunday of July
Registration windows generally open around March–April, depending on the country.
December
First Sunday of December
Registration windows generally open around August–September.
Registration is handled by a host institution in each country, and places at popular test sites can fill early. Results are typically released about two months after the test, online first and then by post.
What N2 certifies
The official description of N2 is the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree.
Reading
Understanding clearly written material on a variety of topics, such as newspaper and magazine articles, commentaries and simple critiques; following the narrative and the writer’s intent.
Listening
Following coherent conversations and news at near-natural speed in everyday situations and in a variety of settings, understanding the flow, content, relationships between speakers and the essential points.
In practice
N2 is a common requirement listed by Japanese employers and universities as evidence of business-level or study-level Japanese, and it is frequently referenced in visa points systems. Requirements vary by organisation, so check the specific one you are applying to.
The certificate does not expire, although some institutions ask for a result from within the last few years.
Exam strategy
Question-type-specific approaches to the test: read the strategy guides .
Frequently asked questions
Short factual answers, taken from the official JLPT pages listed under Sources.
How many JLPT levels are there?
Five: N5 is the easiest and N1 the most advanced. N5 certifies the ability to understand some basic Japanese; N1 certifies the ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances. Each level is a separate test, and you can sit any level without having passed the one below.
What are the pass marks?
N5: 80, N4: 90, N3: 95, N2: 90 and N1: 100, each out of 180. Every level also has sectional minimums (38 out of 120 in the combined vocabulary, grammar and reading section plus 19 out of 60 in listening for N5 and N4; 19 out of 60 in each of the three sections for N3, N2 and N1). Missing any sectional minimum is a fail whatever the total.
How long is each level's exam?
N5: 90 minutes, N4: 115, N3: 140, N2: 155 and N1: 165 minutes of testing, split into two or three sessions with a break between them.
Does the JLPT test speaking or writing?
No. The JLPT has no speaking or writing section at any level. Every question is multiple choice and answered on a mark sheet; the official FAQ states that neither a conversation nor a composition test is currently included.
When is the JLPT held?
Twice a year, in July and December, on the first Sunday of the month in most countries. Some overseas test sites hold only one of the two sittings, and registration usually opens three to four months before the test through the host institution in your country.
Does a JLPT certificate expire?
No. The official FAQ states that the certificate never expires, and results from the pre-2010 test also remain valid. Some employers and institutions nonetheless ask for a result from within the last few years.
Are there official vocabulary or kanji lists?
No. The JLPT stopped publishing test content specifications when the current format was introduced in 2010, on the grounds that the aim is to use the language rather than memorise lists. The kanji and word counts quoted for each level, on this site and elsewhere, are estimates.
Which level should I start with?
If you cannot read kana yet, begin with the Foundation lessons at https://nihongopath.opusify.co.in/japanese/foundation and then N5. If you already hold a level, the next one up is the usual target; each level on this site starts with what it assumes you already know.
Sources
Every figure on this page (section times, pass marks, sectional minimums, test months) is taken from the official JLPT site run by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. Last checked against these pages on 2026-09-23.
- N1–N5: Summary of Linguistic Competence Required for Each Level — what each level certifies
- Composition of Test Sections and Items — test sections and time limits per level
- Scoring Sections, Pass or Fail, Score Report — pass marks and sectional minimums
- JLPT FAQ — test months, speaking and writing, certificate validity, vocabulary lists
Test formats, dates and fees can change; confirm with the official JLPT site or your local host institution before registering.