 | |
| Acronym | JLPT |
|---|---|
| Type | Language proficiency test |
| Administrator | Japan Foundation Japan Educational Exchanges and Services |
| Year started | 1984 |
| Languages | Japanese |
| Website | www |
TheJapanese-Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験,Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken), orJLPT, is a standardizedcriterion-referenced test to evaluate and certifyJapanese language proficiency fornon-native speakers, covering language knowledge, reading ability, and listening ability.[1] The test is held twice a year inJapan and selected countries (on the first Sunday of July and December), and once a year in other regions (either on the first Sunday of December or July depending on region).[2] The JLPT is conducted by theJapan Foundation for tests overseas (with cooperation of local host institutions), and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services for tests in Japan.[3]
The JLPT consists of five independentlevels of certification, with 5 the lowest and 1 the highest.[4] Until 2009, the test had four levels of certification.[5] JLPT certificates do not expire or become invalid over time.[6]
The JLPT was first held in 1984 in response to the growing demand for standardized Japanese language certification.[7] Initially, 7,000 people took the test.[8] Until 2003, the JLPT was one of the requirements for foreigners entering Japanese universities. Since 2003, theExamination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is used by most universities for this purpose;[9] unlike the JLPT, which is solely a multiple-choice exam, the EJU contains sections which require the examinee to write in Japanese.
| JLPT Total Score | CEFR |
|---|---|
| N1 Total Score 142–180 | C1 |
| N1 Total Score 100–141 N2 Total Sore 112–180 | B2 |
| N2 Total Score 90–111 N3 Total Score 104–180 | B1 |
| N3 Total Score 95–103 N4 Total Score 90–180 | A2 |
| N5 Total Score 80–180 | A1 |
JLPT certification can be used for many official purposes in Japan. For example, JLPT N1 or N2 certification can help foreign nationals receive preferential immigration treatment in some circumstances.[10] Similarly, those who have passed either N1 or N2 (regardless of citizenship) are exempt from the Japanese language section of the middle school equivalency examination, which is required to enter a Japanese high school if the applicant did not graduate from a Japanese middle school,[11] and N1 certification is sometimes accepted as an alternative to theExamination for Japanese University Admission for foreign students who wish to study at Japanese universities.
JLPT certification can also be required as a component of licensing in Japan. N1 certification is a prerequisite for foreign medical professionals who wish to take examinations to be licensed in Japan, and for certain foreign nationals who wish to attend nursing school in Japan.[12] Further, under Japan'sEconomic partnership agreement with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, a JLPT certificate is required for Indonesian, Filipino, and Vietnamese nurse or caregiver candidates who visit Japan.
TheJapan Foundation provide an official table[13] of comparison between the JLPT and theCommon European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale based on the total score required to pass the exam. Beginning in December 2025, JLPT score reports will include an official indication of corresponding CEFR levels.
In Japan, the JLPT is administered by theMinistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology through the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES).[14] Overseas, theJapan Foundation co-proctors test administration with local cultural exchange and/or educational institutions, or with committees specially established for this purpose.[15][16]
The revised test pattern was implemented in 2010. The test consists of five levels, with N1 the highest level and N5 the lowest. According to the exam, N1 represents "the ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances", N2 represents "the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree", N3 represents "the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree", N4 represents "the ability to understand basic Japanese", and N5 represents "the ability to understand some basic Japanese".[17] NoTest Content Specification is published as it is discouraged to study fromkanji and vocabulary lists.[18]
Passing is based on scaled scores calculated usingitem-response theory so that equivalent performance on tests from different years and different levels of difficulty yields the same scaled score. Raw scores are not directly used to determine conditions for passing, nor are they reported, except in rough form in the "Reference Information" of the score report, which tells test takers whether their raw scores were 67% or above, between 34% and 66%, or below 34%.[18] This reference information is given for vocabulary, grammar, and reading on the N4 and N5, and for vocabulary and grammar (but not reading) on the N1, N2, and N3.
Since 2010, passing the test requires both achieving an overall pass mark for the total points, and passing each section individually. The overall pass mark depends on the level, and varies between 100/180 (55.55%) for the N1 and 80/180 (44.44%) for the N5. Meanwhile, scores of at least 31.67% are required for each section in order to ensure that test takers cannot pass by doing very well on one section and very poorly on another.
| Level | Overall pass mark | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) | Reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N1 | 100 points | 19 points | 19 points | 19 points |
| N2 | 90 points | 19 points | 19 points | 19 points |
| N3 | 95 points | 19 points | 19 points | 19 points |
| Total possible | 180 points | 60 points | 60 points | 60 points |
| N4 | 90 points | 38 points | 19 points | |
| N5 | 80 points | 38 points | 19 points | |
| Total possible | 180 points | 120 points | 60 points | |
| Level | Test section[21] (test time) | Total duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N1 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading (110 min) | Listening (55 min) | 165 min | |
| N2 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading (105 min) | Listening (50 min) | 155 min | |
| N3 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) (30 min) | Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading (70 min) | Listening (40 min) | 140 min |
| N4 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) (25 min) | Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading (55 min) | Listening (35 min) | 115 min |
| N5 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) (20 min) | Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading (40 min) | Listening (30 min) | 90 min |
Self-reported study hour comparison data for students residing in Japan, published by the Japanese Language Education Center:
| Level | Students with kanji knowledge (e.g. speakers of Chinese) | 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 |
The application period is usually around early March until late April for July's examination and around early August until late September for December's exam.
Results for the December test are announced the following February for examinees in Japan, and March for overseas candidates. Test results are sent to the examinees through the testing organization or center to which they applied.[23] From 2012, with online registration, results are available online before they are mailed out (late August for the July test). All examinees receive a report indicating their scores by section. Those who pass also receive aCertificate of Proficiency.
As of 2004, when there were 302,198 total test takers, the JLPT was offered annually in 40 countries including Japan.[24] Since 2009, two exams have been held each year in East Asia, and the yearly number of test takers had risen to 1,168,535 by 2019.[25] As of 2021, the regions with the most test takers were Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, India, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.[26]
| Year | Level | JLPT in Japan | JLPT overseas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicants | Examinees | Certified (%) | Applicants | Examinees | Certified (%) | ||
| 2007[27] | 1 kyū | 47,761 | 42,923 | 14,338 (33.4%) | 135,616 | 110,937 | 28,550 (25.7%) |
| 2 kyū | 34,782 | 31,805 | 11,884 (37.4%) | 186,226 | 152,198 | 40,975 (26.9%) | |
| 3 kyū | 16,808 | 15,710 | 8,664 (55.1%) | 143,252 | 113,526 | 53,806 (47.4%) | |
| 4 kyū | 3,908 | 3,383 | 2,332 (68.9%) | 64,127 | 53,476 | 27,767 (51.9%) | |
| 2008[28] | 1 kyū | 52,992 | 46,953 | 18,454 (39.3%) | 138,131 | 116,271 | 38,988 (33.5%) |
| 2 kyū | 41,924 | 38,040 | 16,289 (42.8%) | 187,482 | 157,142 | 58,124 (37.0%) | |
| 3 kyū | 22,016 | 20,351 | 13,304 (65.4%) | 147,435 | 120,569 | 69,605 (57.7%) | |
| 4 kyū | 4,524 | 3,903 | 2,765 (70.8%) | 65,877 | 55,828 | 31,227 (55.9%) | |
| 2009-1[29] | 1 kyū | 29,274 | 26,578 | 11,738 (44.2%) | 103,349 | 87,104 | 28,230 (32.4%) |
| 2 kyū | 26,437 | 24,793 | 9,279 (37.4%) | 130,753 | 110,266 | 27,543 (25.0%) | |
| 2009-2[30] | 1 kyū | 46,648 | 41,998 | 12,293 (29.3%) | 137,708 | 114,725 | 26,427 (23.0%) |
| 2 kyū | 36,528 | 33,807 | 12,462 (36.9%) | 176,628 | 147,328 | 41,488 (28.2%) | |
| 3 kyū | 17,703 | 16,675 | 9,360 (56.1%) | 131,733 | 108,867 | 51,903 (47.7%) | |
| 4 kyū | 3,212 | 2,932 | 2,155 (73.5%) | 61,995 | 53,041 | 29,529 (55.7%) | |
| 2010-1[31] | N1 | 26,225 | 23,694 | 9,651 (40.7%) | 73,863 | 62,938 | 19,402 (30.8%) |
| N2 | 24,738 | 23,126 | 13,768 (59.5%) | 87,889 | 74,874 | 32,530 (43.4%) | |
| N3 | 6,947 | 6,280 | 3,051 (48.6%) | 42,227 | 32,100 | 12,574 (39.2%) | |
| 2010-2[32] | N1 | 40,041 | 36,810 | 12,774 (34.7%) | 100,689 | 87,763 | 25,781 (29.4%) |
| N2 | 27,947 | 26,020 | 11,679 (44.9%) | 106,402 | 91,996 | 30,460 (33.1%) | |
| N3 | 8,363 | 7,665 | 3,501 (44.9%) | 56,236 | 45,906 | 18,883 (41.1%) | |
| N4 | 7,764 | 7,317 | 3,716 (50.8%) | 48,613 | 41,484 | 19,235 (46.4%) | |
| N5 | 2,065 | 1,870 | 1,458 (78.0%) | 43,676 | 38,128 | 22,846 (59.9%) | |
| 2011-1[33] | N1 | 24,716 | 22,782 | 6,546 (28.7%) | 89,744 | 76,991 | 20,519 (26.7%) |
| N2 | 19,203 | 17,957 | 9,057 (50.4%) | 92,015 | 79,716 | 30,216 (37.9%) | |
| N3 | 5,642 | 5,211 | 2,511 (48.2%) | 36,841 | 29,507 | 13,230 (44.8%) | |
| N4 | 3,643 | 3,358 | 1,431 (42.6%) | 19,010 | 15,453 | 5,802 (37.5%) | |
| N5 | 716 | 649 | 464 (71.5%) | 12,346 | 10,510 | 6,108 (58.1%) | |
| 2011-2[34] | N1 | 36,426 | 33,460 | 11,849 (35.4%) | 100,873 | 88,450 | 26,715 (30.2%) |
| N2 | 22,875 | 21,296 | 8,695 (40.8%) | 94,538 | 82,944 | 28,679 (34.6%) | |
| N3 | 8,149 | 7,580 | 3,073 (40.5%) | 49,917 | 41,655 | 16,576 (39.8%) | |
| N4 | 7,008 | 6,596 | 3,083 (46.7%) | 38,888 | 33,402 | 14,722 (44.1%) | |
| N5 | 1,603 | 1,481 | 1,045 (70.6%) | 33,245 | 29,159 | 16,986 (58.3%) | |
| 2012-1[35] | N1 | 26,051 | 24,142 | 11,074 (45.9%) | 78,904 | 69,082 | 23,789 (34.4%) |
| N2 | 20,041 | 18,843 | 9,683 (51.4%) | 78,553 | 69,418 | 29,191 (42.1%) | |
| N3 | 7,317 | 6,878 | 3,232 (47.0%) | 38,650 | 31,942 | 14,391 (45.1%) | |
| N4 | 5,437 | 5,116 | 2,388 (46.7%) | 22,431 | 18,590 | 8,489 (45.7%) | |
| N5 | 1,004 | 925 | 679 (73.4%) | 16,361 | 13,911 | 8,129 (58.4%) | |
| 2012-2[36] | N1 | 32,917 | 30,296 | 7,998 (26.4%) | 86,004 | 75,250 | 17,411 (23.1%) |
| N2 | 21,139 | 19,612 | 7,919 (40.4%) | 79,513 | 69,790 | 25,617 (36.7%) | |
| N3 | 10,085 | 9,422 | 2,668 (28.3%) | 47,301 | 39,763 | 12,722 (32.0%) | |
| N4 | 6,961 | 6,562 | 2,371 (36.1%) | 36,799 | 31,620 | 11,783 (37.3%) | |
| N5 | 1,416 | 1,307 | 945 (72.3%) | 34,178 | 29,700 | 16,225 (54.6%) | |
| 2013-1[37] | N1 | 27,099 | 25,117 | 8,503 (33.9%) | 74,674 | 65,225 | 20,139 (30.9%) |
| N2 | 20,956 | 19,712 | 9,117 (46.3%) | 73,729 | 64,885 | 29,725 (45.8%) | |
| N3 | 9,988 | 9,337 | 3,623 (38.8%) | 39,870 | 32,895 | 13,063 (39.7%) | |
| N4 | 5,637 | 5,297 | 2,485 (46.9%) | 23,746 | 19,941 | 9,823 (49.3%) | |
| N5 | 1,000 | 905 | 696 (76.9%) | 18,720 | 16,016 | 9,957 (62.2%) | |
| 2013-2[38] | N1 | 31,691 | 28,929 | 10,031 (34.7%) | 81,794 | 71,490 | 25,524 (35.7%) |
| N2 | 22,859 | 21,211 | 8,410 (39.6%) | 73,935 | 64,989 | 28,148 (43.3%) | |
| N3 | 12,436 | 11,501 | 3,911 (34.0%) | 48,875 | 41,129 | 17,901 (43.5%) | |
| N4 | 6,963 | 6,430 | 2,871 (44.7%) | 38,078 | 32,752 | 14,290 (43.6%) | |
| N5 | 1,519 | 1,392 | 983 (70.6%) | 37,313 | 31,922 | 18,248 (57.2%) | |
| 2014-1[39] | N1 | 26,277 | 24,395 | 9,513 (39.0%) | 73,782 | 64,409 | 21,108 (32.8%) |
| N2 | 22,226 | 20,855 | 9,359 (44.9%) | 73,829 | 64,699 | 29,313 (45.3%) | |
| N3 | 14,842 | 13,749 | 4,362 (31.7%) | 42,746 | 35,251 | 15,535 (44.1%) | |
| N4 | 6,643 | 6,208 | 3,028 (48.8%) | 27,271 | 22,944 | 10,657 (46.4%) | |
| N5 | 1,318 | 1,175 | 885 (75.3%) | 23,154 | 19,658 | 10,726 (54.6%) | |
| 2014-2[40] | N1 | 30,061 | 27,309 | 8,663 (31.7%) | 76,516 | 66,610 | 20,260 (30.4%) |
| N2 | 27,725 | 25,548 | 8,785 (34.4%) | 73,274 | 63,494 | 25,361 (39.9%) | |
| N3 | 18,415 | 16,767 | 4,796 (28.6%) | 51,365 | 42,642 | 17,189 (40.3%) | |
| N4 | 8,123 | 7,516 | 2,482 (33.0%) | 40,292 | 34,265 | 13,142 (38.4%) | |
| N5 | 1,862 | 1,696 | 1,119 (66.0%) | 42,172 | 35,492 | 17,002 (47.9%) | |
| 2015-1[41] | N1 | 27,218 | 24,971 | 8,958 (35.9%) | 70,453 | 60,642 | 20,625 (34.0%) |
| N2 | 28,788 | 26,788 | 10,819 (40.4%) | 74,931 | 64,764 | 28,538 (44.1%) | |
| N3 | 22,389 | 20,867 | 6,398 (30.7%) | 46,799 | 38,489 | 16,081 (41.8%) | |
| N4 | 9,874 | 9,332 | 3,556 (38.1%) | 32,597 | 27,241 | 9,383 (34.4%) | |
| N5 | 1,796 | 1,634 | 1,190 (72.8%) | 29,201 | 24,569 | 12,940 (52.7%) | |
| 2015-2[42] | N1 | 32,200 | 29,305 | 8,911 (30.4%) | 74,059 | 64,355 | 17,768 (27.6%) |
| N2 | 36,147 | 33,374 | 10,922 (32.7%) | 76,202 | 65,804 | 26,408 (40.1%) | |
| N3 | 27,047 | 24,683 | 6,839 (27.7%) | 55,103 | 45,589 | 19,739 (43.3%) | |
| N4 | 11,874 | 10,969 | 3,325 (30.3%) | 45,623 | 38,566 | 14,794 (38.4%) | |
| N5 | 2,408 | 2,146 | 1,398 (65.1%) | 45,543 | 38,431 | 19,203 (50.0%) | |
| 2016-1[43] | N1 | 30,218 | 27,810 | 10,340 (37.2%) | 69,147 | 59,790 | 19,396 (32.4%) |
| N2 | 39,136 | 36,525 | 14,037 (38.4%) | 79,208 | 68,642 | 32,324 (47.1%) | |
| N3 | 36,559 | 34,368 | 11,447 (33.3%) | 50,857 | 41,816 | 19,531 (46.7%) | |
| N4 | 13,435 | 12,547 | 4,272 (34.0%) | 36,637 | 30,498 | 11,960 (39.2%) | |
| N5 | 2,191 | 1,977 | 1,282 (64.8%) | 32,286 | 27,106 | 13,671 (50.4%) | |
| 2016-2[44] | N1 | 37,492 | 34,065 | 10,152 (29.8%) | 74,584 | 64,866 | 20,041 (30.9%) |
| N2 | 49,620 | 45,687 | 12,962 (28.4%) | 86,649 | 74,949 | 29,862 (39.8%) | |
| N3 | 39,881 | 36,536 | 11,966 (32.8%) | 63,187 | 52,404 | 23,389 (44.6%) | |
| N4 | 15,219 | 13,937 | 4,076 (29.2%) | 52,626 | 44,393 | 15,444 (34.8%) | |
| N5 | 2,989 | 2,686 | 1,577 (58.7%) | 54,373 | 45,200 | 21,515 (47.6%) | |
| 2017-1[45] | N1 | 34,982 | 31,677 | 11,100 (35.0%) | 74,034 | 63,021 | 20,861 (33.1%) |
| N2 | 50,787 | 47,316 | 18,145 (38.3%) | 94,523 | 80,933 | 38,216 (47.2%) | |
| N3 | 47,820 | 44,847 | 13,296 (29.6%) | 62,494 | 50,635 | 22,560 (44.6%) | |
| N4 | 15,887 | 14,809 | 5,084 (34.3%) | 43,995 | 36,193 | 14,135 (39.1%) | |
| N5 | 2,791 | 2,527 | 1,629 (64.5%) | 39,094 | 32,148 | 17,180 (53.4%) | |
| 2017-2[46] | N1 | 44,029 | 39,616 | 12,278 (31.0%) | 80,973 | 69,322 | 22,010 (31.8%) |
| N2 | 62,404 | 57,374 | 16,425 (28.6%) | 101,151 | 86,145 | 34,593 (40.2%) | |
| N3 | 52,901 | 48,471 | 14,907 (30.8%) | 74,761 | 60,855 | 26,432 (43.4%) | |
| N4 | 18,190 | 16,759 | 4,680 (27.9%) | 61,986 | 51,643 | 18,504 (35.8%) | |
| N5 | 3,679 | 3,280 | 2,033 (62.0%) | 60,630 | 49,809 | 23,972 (48.1%) | |
| 2018-1[47] | N1 | 40,718 | 36,791 | 12,488 (33.9%) | 80,896 | 68,235 | 22,494 (33.0%) |
| N2 | 58,763 | 54,619 | 17,994 (32.9%) | 105,171 | 89,320 | 37,326 (41.8%) | |
| N3 | 61,878 | 58,126 | 17,547 (30.2%) | 71,951 | 58,417 | 26,691 (45.7%) | |
| N4 | 18,218 | 16,737 | 5,126 (30.6%) | 51,353 | 42,468 | 14,412 (33.9%) | |
| N5 | 3,251 | 2,903 | 1,836 (63.2%) | 51,990 | 42,463 | 20,768 (48.9%) | |
| 2018-2[48] | N1 | 48,422 | 43,589 | 12,015 (27.6%) | 83,808 | 71,416 | 21,509 (30.1%) |
| N2 | 71,816 | 66,200 | 19,661 (29.7%) | 110,457 | 94,099 | 37,523 (39.9%) | |
| N3 | 67,610 | 62,627 | 16,690 (26.6%) | 79,761 | 64,907 | 28,027 (43.2%) | |
| N4 | 21,114 | 19,481 | 6,418 (32.9%) | 68,296 | 57,009 | 20,345 (35.7%) | |
| N5 | 4,290 | 3,857 | 2,254 (58.4%) | 68,237 | 55,810 | 24,913 (44.6%) | |
| 2019-1[49] | N1 | 48,079 | 42,997 | 12,660 (29.4%) | 87,919 | 73,863 | 21,575 (29.2%) |
| N2 | 69,844 | 64,503 | 21,885 (33.9%) | 118,683 | 99,931 | 37,275 (37.3%) | |
| N3 | 72,951 | 68,231 | 24,513 (35.9%) | 84,794 | 68,019 | 29,153 (42.9%) | |
| N4 | 25,060 | 23,115 | 7,452 (32.2%) | 69,925 | 56,616 | 18,613 (32.9%) | |
| N5 | 4,566 | 4,085 | 2,520 (61.7%) | 62,283 | 49,088 | 22,797 (46.4%) | |
| 2019-2[50] | N1 | 58,799 | 52,147 | 14,359 (27.5%) | 89,689 | 75,681 | 24,953 (33.0%) |
| N2 | 84,278 | 77,410 | 21,852 (28.2%) | 118,327 | 100,630 | 41,958 (41.7%) | |
| N3 | 79,876 | 73,354 | 20,322 (27.7%) | 86,307 | 70,540 | 28,033 (39.7%) | |
| N4 | 31,452 | 28,826 | 8,262 (28.7%) | 89,443 | 74,677 | 23,055 (30.9%) | |
| N5 | 4,974 | 4,417 | 2,379 (53.9%) | 74,918 | 60,405 | 24,784 (41.0%) | |
| 2020-2[51][note 1] | N1 | 44,697 | 38,537 | 16,110 (41.8%) | 46,704 | 41,700 | 20,160 (48.3%) |
| N2 | 68,161 | 61,458 | 31,126 (50.6%) | 59,956 | 52,618 | 32,685 (62.1%) | |
| N3 | 66,700 | 60,324 | 30,440 (50.5%) | 45,592 | 37,884 | 22,709 (59.9%) | |
| N4 | 28,410 | 25,184 | 10,682 (42.4%) | 34,192 | 27,809 | 12,427 (44.7%) | |
| N5 | 3,565 | 2,997 | 1,982 (66.1%) | 26,170 | 21,517 | 11,749 (54.6%) | |
| 2021-1[53] | N1 | 52,017 | 44,851 | 13,401 (29.9%) | 58,688 | 50,324 | 24,115 (47.9%) |
| N2 | 66,567 | 59,476 | 20,584 (34.6%) | 60,047 | 51,095 | 27,597 (54.0%) | |
| N3 | 61,220 | 56,230 | 24,655 (43.8%) | 27,481 | 20,953 | 12,463 (59.5%) | |
| N4 | 32,975 | 30,060 | 14,522 (48.3%) | 13,975 | 11,014 | 6,030 (54.7%) | |
| N5 | 3,432 | 3,009 | 1,990 (66.1%) | 10,969 | 8,903 | 6,052 (68.0%) | |
| 2021-2[54] | N1 | 53,899 | 45,445 | 12,120 (26.7%) | 53,893 | 44,091 | 18,806 (42.7%) |
| N2 | 66,272 | 58,559 | 17,078 (29.2%) | 53,365 | 42,839 | 25,001 (58.4%) | |
| N3 | 53,398 | 48,770 | 16,806 (34.5%) | 44,420 | 33,513 | 20,413 (60.9%) | |
| N4 | 23,353 | 20,849 | 7,472 (35.8%) | 35,803 | 27,662 | 13,601 (49.2%) | |
| N5 | 2,397 | 2,004 | 1,351 (67.4%) | 33,410 | 25,260 | 15,638 (61.9%) | |
| 2022-1[55] | N1 | 46,964 | 41,076 | 9,964 (24.3%) | 59,348 | 49,223 | 17,282 (35.1%) |
| N2 | 53,872 | 48,551 | 12,828 (26.4%) | 67,023 | 54,542 | 25,677 (47.1%) | |
| N3 | 37,595 | 33,946 | 14,274 (42.0%) | 52,735 | 41,264 | 21,058 (51.0%) | |
| N4 | 17,542 | 15,424 | 5,934 (38.5%) | 50,508 | 40,120 | 19,389 (48.3%) | |
| N5 | 2,520 | 2,156 | 1,367 (63.4%) | 38,118 | 30,203 | 16,132 (53.4%) | |
| 2022-2[56] | N1 | 54,444 | 46,725 | 12,110 (25.9%) | 41,535 | 33,793 | 12,672 (37.5%) |
| N2 | 63,342 | 56,334 | 14,880 (26.4%) | 49,951 | 40,785 | 17,251 (42.3%) | |
| N3 | 48,744 | 44,177 | 15,296 (34.6%) | 57,737 | 46,560 | 22,408 (48.1%) | |
| N4 | 41,647 | 38,661 | 13,850 (35.8%) | 81,176 | 68,878 | 29,948 (43.5%) | |
| N5 | 4,749 | 4,253 | 2,684 (63.1%) | 62,968 | 51,283 | 23,583 (46.0%) | |
Until 2009, the test had four levels.[5] JLPT certificates do not expire,[6] so results from the previous format remain valid.
All instructions on the test were written in Japanese, although their difficulty is adjusted to remain appropriate to each test level.[57] The subject matter covered at each level of the examination was based upon theTest Content Specification (出題基準,Shutsudai kijun), first published in 1994 and revised in 2004. This specification served as a reference for examiners to compile test questions, rather than as a study guide for candidates. It consisted ofkanji lists, expression lists, vocabulary lists, and grammar lists for all four JLPT levels. However, about 20% of the kanji, vocabulary, and grammar in any one exam may have been drawn from outside the prescribed lists at the discretion of exam compilers.[58]
| Level | Kanji | Vocabulary | Listening | Time of Study (est.) | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | ~100 (103) | ~800 (728) | Basic | 150 hrs(A basic course level) | 60% |
| 3 | ~300 (284) | ~1,500 (1409) | Intermediate | 300 hrs(An intermediate course level) | |
| 2 | ~1000 (1023) | ~6,000 (5035) | Intermediate | 600 hrs(An intermediate course level) | |
| 1 | ~2000 (1926) | ~10,000 (8009) | Advanced | 900 hrs(An advanced course level) | 70% |
Numbers in parentheses indicate the exact number in theTest Content Specification.[58]
The independent source the Japanese Language Education Center publishes the following study hour comparison data:
| Level | Students with kanji knowledge (e.g. speakers of Chinese) | Other students (no prior kanji knowledge) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 200~300 hours | 250~400 hours |
| 3 | 375~475 hours | 500~750 hours |
| 2 | 1100~1500 hours | 1400~2000 hours |
| 1 | 1800~2300 hours | 3100~4500 hours |
In its previous format, the JLPT was divided into three sections: "Characters and Vocabulary" (100 points), "Listening Comprehension" (100 points), and "Reading Comprehension and Grammar" (200 points).
The first section (文字･語彙,moji, goi) tests knowledge of vocabulary and various aspects of theJapanese writing system. This includes identifying the correct kanji characters for given situations, selecting the correcthiragana readings for given kanji, choosing the appropriate terms for given sentences, and choosing the appropriate usage of given words.
The second section (聴解,chōkai) comprises two sub-sections that test listening comprehension. The first involves choosing the picture which best represents the situation presented by a prerecorded conversation. The second is of a similar format but presents no visual clues.
Section three (読解･文法,dokkai, bunpō) uses authentic or semi-authentic reading passages of various lengths to test reading comprehension. Questions include prompts to fill in blank parts of the text and requests toparaphrase key points. Grammar questions request that examinees select the correctgrammar structure to convey a given point or testconjugations andpostpositional particle agreement.
| Level | Kanji and vocabulary | Listening comprehension | Reading comprehension and grammar | Total duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 25 min | 25 min | 50 min | 100 min |
| 3 | 35 min | 35 min | 70 min | 140 min |
| 2 | 35 min | 40 min | 70 min | 145 min |
| 1 | 45 min | 45 min | 90 min | 180 min |
Two changes in levels of tests were made from the previous four-level format: firstly, a new level was inserted between the old level 3 and level 2, and secondly, the content of the top level exam (old level 1) was changed to test slightly more advanced skills, though the passing level was not changed,[61] possibly throughequating of test scores. Vocabulary in particular is said to be taken from an increased pool of 18,000 words.
The addition of the new N3 was done to address the problem of the difficulty gap between levels 3 and 2: in the past, there had been requests for revisions to address the fact that examinees who had passed the Level 3 test often had trouble with passing the Level 2 test because of the large gap in the level of skill needed to pass those two levels. There was also a desire to measure abilities more advanced than those targeted by the current Level 1 test, hence the top-level exam was modified.[62]
The correspondence is as follows:
The revised test continues to test the same content categories as the original, but the first and third sections of the test have been combined into a single section.[19] Sections on oral and writing skills were not introduced.[8] Further, a requirement to pass individual sections was added, rather than only achieving an overall score.
It has been argued that changes to the exam were connected to the introduction of new language policies instituted by the Ministry of Education regarding the education of minorities in Japan.[64]