JLPT Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1–N5 Overview
Understand the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) structure from N1 to N5 with this complete guide. Explore the number of kanji, vocabulary, and study hours needed for each level, and discover how MLC Meguro Language Center’s preparation courses can help you pass the exam with confidence. Whether you are aiming for beginner or advanced levels, this page gives you all the essential details for your JLPT study plan.
JLPT will be held twice a year. Respectively early July and early December.
JLPT N1 – Required Study Hours, Vocabulary Goals, and Study Plan
- Required Study Hours: Approximately 900 ~ 1200 hours
- Kanji Goal: Approximately 2,000 kanji characters → Online Self Kanji Level Check
- Vocabulary Goal: 10,000 ~ 15,000 words
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) | ↓ | 60 points |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 110 min | 60 points |
| Listening | 60 min. | 60 points |
| Total | 170 min. | 180 points |
→ MLC JLPT N1 Preparation course
JLPT N2 – Required Study Hours, Vocabulary Goals, and Study Plan
- Required Study Hours: Approximately 600 ~ 900 hours
- Kanji Goal: Approximately 1,000-1,200 Kanji characters → Online Self Kanji Level Check
- Vocabulary Goal: 6,000 words
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) | ↓ | 60 points |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 105 min | 60 points |
| Listening | 50 min. | 60 points |
| Total | 155 min. | 180 points |
→ MLC JLPT N2 Preparation Course
JLPT N3 – Required Study Hours, Vocabulary Goals, and Study Plan
- Required Study Hours: Approximately 500 ~ 900 hours
- Kanji Goal: Approximately 600-700 Kanji characters → Online Self Kanji Level Check
- Vocabulary Goal: 4,000 words
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | 30 min | Voc. + Gr. =60 points |
|---|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (Grammar), Reading | 70 min | Reading = 60 points |
| Listening | 40 min. | 60 points |
| Total | 170 min. | 180 points |
JLPT N4 – Required Study Hours, Vocabulary Goals, and Study Plan
- Required Study Hours: Approximately 300 ~ 500 hours
- Kanji Goal: Approximately 300 Kanji characters → Online Self Kanji Level Check
- Vocabulary Goal: 1,500 words
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | 30 min. | ↓ |
|---|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (Grammar), Reading | 60 min. | 120 points |
| Listening | 35 min. | 60 points |
| Total | 125 min. | 180 points |
If you would like to take the N4 exam, we recommend that you take the regular Beginner's Course, High-beginner's Course Part 1 and 2 and Pre-intermediate Course Part 1 and 2.
JLPT N5 – Required Study Hours, Vocabulary Goals, and Study Plan
- Required Study Hours: Approximately 100 ~ 300 hours
- Kanji Goal: Approximatelyt 100 Kanji characters → Online Self Kanji Level Check
- Vocabulary Goal: 800 words
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | 25 min. | ↓ |
|---|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (Grammar), Reading | 50 min. | 120 points |
| Listening | 30 min. | 60 points |
| Total | 105 min. | 180 points |
If you would like to take the N5 exam, we recommend that you take the regular
Beginner's Course and High-beginner's Course Part 1.
JLPT official practice workbook (link to Amazon)
Instead of past paper, a JPLT mock examination booklet has been published in 2012. The questions published in this booklet are a mixture of the past paper questions extracted from JPLT 2010 /2011 while new designed questions are also be inserted. This mock examination booklet carries the same format and has same amount of questions as in the actual JPLT.
Vol. 1 (published in 2012)
Vol. 2 (publishsed in 2018)
