JLPT

Japanese-Language Proficiency Test

The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) · JA tests Japanese

UpcomingOfficial site ↗

Dec62026
December 2026 test
Official date for Japan and overseas cities that hold a December test.
Test date

Dates are from the organisation's official announcements. Always confirm on the official site before you apply.

Taking the test

Fee: ¥7,500 in Japan (December 2026, tax included). Fees outside Japan are set by each country's host institution.
How often: Twice a year, in July and December. In 2026 the dates were 5 July and 6 December. Some overseas cities hold only one of the two.
Format: Paper test with multiple-choice mark sheets. Sections: language knowledge (vocabulary and grammar), reading and listening. Answering time is 90 minutes (N5) to 165 minutes (N1).
Run by: The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES)
Apply: Official site ↗

Levels

Level	What it means	CEFR	Pass rate
N1	Understands Japanese used in a wide range of situations, including newspaper editorials and abstract writing, and natural-speed news and lectures.	B2 100–141C1 142+	about 29%
N2	Understands everyday Japanese and, to some degree, Japanese in a wider range of situations such as news and magazine articles.	B1 90–111B2 112+	about 33%
N3	Understands Japanese used in everyday situations to some degree.	A2 95–103B1 104+	about 34%
N4	Understands basic Japanese: texts on familiar topics in basic vocabulary and kanji, and slightly slow everyday conversation.	A2 90+	about 36%
N5	Understands some basic Japanese written in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji, and short, slow conversations.	A1 80+	about 50%

Since the December 2025 test, score reports show a CEFR level for reference. It depends on your total score out of 180 (in brackets) and is shown only if you pass; a fail shows "*". It covers language knowledge, reading and listening, not speaking or writing, and the highest level shown is C1. To pass you need a total score at or above the pass mark (N1 100, N2 90, N3 95, N4 90, N5 80 out of 180) and at least the minimum in every section (19 out of 60; 38 out of 120 for the combined N4/N5 section). Pass rates are for 2025 (July and December), Japan and overseas combined, worked out from the official statistics.

What it tests

Tested

Reading
Listening
Vocabulary
Grammar
Reading kanji

Not tested

Speaking
Writing
Writing kanji by hand

There is no speaking or writing section, so you can pass without being able to hold a conversation or write kanji by hand.

Languages and where to take it

Test language: Entirely in Japanese.
Instructions: The test itself is all in Japanese. The official websites have English versions, and jlpt.jp is also in Chinese.
Where: In all 47 prefectures of Japan, and overseas in 81 countries and regions (247 cities) in December 2025. From 2026, the test in Japan is in principle for mid- to long-term residents and special permanent residents.
How long it counts: Results don't expire, including those from the old test before 2010. Some employers and schools set their own time limit.

What it's recognised for

In Japan's points system for highly skilled professionals, N1 gives 15 points and N2 gives 10. N4 or higher meets the Japanese requirement for Specified Skilled Worker (i), and N2 or higher can be used for some other visa types and is a guide for entering higher education. Overseas-licensed doctors, nurses and other health professionals need N1 to sit Japan's national licensing exams.

About the exam

Who it's for: For people whose first language isn't Japanese. Nationality and age don't matter. It is widely used for jobs, study and visas in Japan.
Levels and scores: Five levels from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest). You take one level and get a pass or fail, plus a score out of 180.