JLPT Study Roadmap N5 → N1 + How to Register (2026, in Japan) — TokyoHelp
JLPT Study Roadmap N5 → N1 + How to Register (2026, in Japan)
A pillar guide for learners in Japan: what the JLPT is, what each level (N5→N1) roughly means, a realistic study sequence from kana to mock tests, and exactly how and when to register in Japan (twice a year in July & December via the official MyJLPT/JEES system, with application windows months ahead).
11 min readChecked against official sources 2026-06-16
The JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) is the most widely recognized certification of Japanese ability for non-native speakers. Whether you need it for school, a job, a visa, or just as a personal goal, it's the standard yardstick. This is a one-stop roadmap: what the JLPT is, what N5 through N1 roughly mean, a study sequence you can reuse from zero all the way to N1, and how and when to register in Japan. This is general information, not individual advice; always confirm the official rules on jlpt.jp and JEES.
What the JLPT is and how often it's held
The JLPT is jointly administered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) and held simultaneously worldwide. In Japan it runs twice a year, on a Sunday in July and a Sunday in December (in 2026: July 5 and December 6). It tests listening, reading, and language knowledge (vocabulary, grammar) only — there is no speaking or writing section.
There are five levels, from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest). You can only register for one level per sitting, so choosing the right one matters.
The JLPT has no oral interview or essay — it's entirely multiple choice (mark sheet). That means being able to speak doesn't guarantee a pass, and passing doesn't prove you're fluent in conversation. Plan your prep accordingly.
What N5 → N1 roughly mean
The ability descriptions below paraphrase the official jlpt.jp summaries. The vocabulary/kanji/hours figures are community and textbook estimates (the official body stopped publishing a vocabulary/kanji syllabus after the 2010 revision) — use them only to gauge roughly where you are, not as an official standard.
N5 (entry): Read fixed phrases written in kana and basic kanji; understand slow daily conversation. Official: "the ability to understand some basic Japanese." Rough estimate: ~800 words, ~100 kanji, ~150–250 hours from zero.
N4 (basic): Read simple, familiar everyday passages in basic vocabulary; follow slow daily conversation. Official: "the ability to understand basic Japanese." Rough estimate: ~1,500 words, ~300 kanji, ~300–500 cumulative hours.
N3 (intermediate/bridge): A bridge between N4 and N2; understand everyday Japanese to a certain degree. Rough estimate: ~3,700 words, ~650 kanji, ~450–900 cumulative hours. For many people living in Japan, N3 is the practical threshold for 'getting by' in Japanese.
N2 (upper-intermediate): Read broader material such as newspaper articles; follow near-natural-speed conversation. Official: "the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree." Many employers treat N2 as the de facto bar for hiring or visa changes. Rough estimate: ~6,000 words, ~1,000 kanji, ~600–1,000 cumulative hours.
N1 (advanced): Read logically complex, abstract editorials; follow natural-speed conversation and lectures in varied settings. Official: "the ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances." Rough estimate: ~10,000 words, ~2,000 kanji, ~900–1,800 cumulative hours.
The vocabulary/kanji/hours above are ranges that vary a lot per person (whether your first language uses kanji, whether you live immersed in Japan, etc.). The official body publishes only a 'summary of competence per level' and sample questions — no word list. Don't treat these numbers as a checklist you must finish.
Exam structure and how passing works
Section timing and breakdown differ by level (per the official testsections page):
N1: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)·Reading 110 min + Listening 55 min.
N2: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)·Reading 105 min + Listening 50 min.
N3: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) 30 min + Language Knowledge (Grammar)·Reading 70 min + Listening 40 min.
N4: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) 25 min + Language Knowledge (Grammar)·Reading 55 min + Listening 35 min.
N5: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) 20 min + Language Knowledge (Grammar)·Reading 40 min + Listening 30 min.
Every level is scored out of 180. To pass you must meet two conditions at once: (1) reach the overall pass mark, and (2) reach the sectional pass mark in every scoring section (e.g. 19/60 for sections such as Listening at N1–N3). If even one section falls below its sectional pass mark, you fail — no matter how high your total. Listening is the hidden trap for many candidates, so don't walk in cold.
A realistic study sequence (works at any level)
1Build the foundation: master hiragana and katakana until you can read them instantly (a prerequisite for N5 — don't put it off).
2Accumulate core vocab + grammar: work through one main textbook for your target level (e.g. Minna no Nihongo, Shin Kanzen Master, TRY!) systematically, with daily vocabulary review.
3Train reading + listening: once you're halfway through vocab/grammar, start level-appropriate reading and listening practice; for listening, do 'blind listen → read the script → re-listen' to build speed tolerance.
4Drill mock and past papers: from 1–2 months out, do full timed mocks (timer + mark sheet) to find weak sections — especially confirm listening won't drop below the sectional pass mark.
5Patch gaps + final sprint: based on mock results, go back and shore up your weakest section; in the last week, revisit mistakes and high-frequency words to stay sharp.
Should you skip levels? Learners from kanji-using backgrounds often start at N4/N3 or aim straight for N2 — but listening and grammar don't come free just because you recognize kanji. Self-test with a past paper for your target level before deciding which level to register for.
Recommended study tools
One main textbook (to cover grammar systematically): Minna no Nihongo, the Shin Kanzen Master series, or TRY! Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, etc.
Spaced repetition (SRS) for vocab and kanji: drilling high-frequency words on a 'review-when-due' schedule is the core JLPT tactic, and an app does this far more efficiently than paper cards.
Past papers and official sample questions: jlpt.jp offers sample questions per level — do at least one full set to learn the question types and pacing.
Listening material: progress from slowed-down textbook audio to near-natural-speed content like NHK Easy News and podcasts.
For spaced vocab and kanji review, here's a transparent plug for our own app, Nihongo Ride: it turns JLPT vocabulary into 'typing input + spaced review' — instead of just recognizing a word, you actually type the reading/kanji yourself, which is especially effective for the JLPT vocabulary section and the 'I can recognize it but can't produce it' blind spot. It's grouped by level (N5→N1) and surfaces the words due for review each day. As a tool we built ourselves, we offer it here for your consideration — whether you use it is entirely up to you.
How and when to register in Japan
Inside Japan, registration goes through the administrator JEES's online system, MyJLPT (online-only since 2020; mailed applications have been discontinued). The rough flow:
1Create a MyJLPT account and get your MyJLPT ID and password (you can register the account anytime).
2Once the application window opens, log in to MyJLPT and enter your application details (level, test-site city, etc.).
3Pay the test fee of 7,500 yen (tax included) within the deadline — by credit card, Pay-easy (online banking/ATM), or convenience store.
4After payment, receive and keep your application acceptance number.
5Before the test, receive your test voucher and sit the exam at the listed site and time.
The application window opens months before the test, and popular sites close early once full. For the July 2026 sitting, for example: registration opened in mid-March (March 17) and closed April 7, with some levels (such as N3 and N4) stopping intake before the deadline due to venue capacity. Apply early — don't cut it to the deadline. Exact dates change each session, so always confirm on the JEES site before applying.
Test dates, each session's application window, test sites, and fees are governed by the official sources: for inside Japan, check JEES (info.jees-jlpt.jp); for the overview of the system, see jlpt.jp. This article is information only and does not handle registration. If you can't read the Japanese interface, you can ask a Japanese-speaking friend to go through the official pages with you, or find a neighbor on this platform to make a quick confirmation call for free.
In Japan it's held twice a year, on a Sunday in July and a Sunday in December (in 2026: July 5 and December 6). The application window opens months before the test and popular sites fill up early, so register as soon as you can.
How do I register in Japan, and how much is it?
Register through JEES's online MyJLPT system (online only). The fee is 7,500 yen (tax included), payable by credit card, Pay-easy, or convenience store. Confirm details on info.jees-jlpt.jp.
Can I skip levels and go straight to N2 or N1?
Yes — you freely choose your level at registration; there's no rule that you must pass a lower level first. But listening and grammar don't come free with kanji recognition, so self-test with a past paper for your target level before deciding.
My total was high — why did I still fail?
The JLPT checks both the overall pass mark and a sectional pass mark for each scoring section. If even one section (e.g. listening) is below its sectional pass mark, you fail regardless of your total, so you can't ignore a weak section.
Is there an official vocabulary or kanji list?
No — since the 2010 revision the official body no longer publishes a vocabulary/kanji syllabus, only a 'summary of competence per level' and sample questions. The vocab/kanji/hours figures in this guide are community estimates, for reference only.
