The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test is held in Japan and abroad to evaluate and certify Japanese-language proficiency of non-native speakers.

The JLPT is open to all non-native Japanese speakers.Eligibility extends to holders of Japanese citizenship. There are no age restrictions for the JLPT.
* Please note that there may be additional requirements and/or restrictions on the test registration depending on Local Host Institutions. Be sure to confirm with them your eligibility in advance.

Yes, you can. We make special arrangements for examinees with disabilities. Please inquire at the institution conducting the test in the country/area where you plan to take it. Those who would like to make special arrangements need to submit "Request Form for Special Arrangements" along with their application form upon registration.

Twice yearly, in July and December. Outside Japan, the test may be held only in July or December in some cities. Please check "List of Overseas Test Site Cities and Local Host Institutions" for the test schedule in your city.

In 2026, the tests will be conducted on Sunday, July 6 and Sunday, December 7.
(Outside Japan, the test may be held only in July or December in some cities. Please check "List of Overseas Test Site Cities and Local Host Institutions" for the test schedule in your city.)

You can take the test in major cities all over Japan. If you are planning to take the test outside Japan, you can find cities where the test is offered in "Local Host Institutions of JLPT."

The test may vary by country or region. However, scoring and certification are administered in a fair and consistent manner.

No, you cannot.

Please contact the Local Host Institution where you wish to take the test before you register. There might be some regulations, and registration method/registration period may differ depending on the test sites.

The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services.
Japan Educational Exchanges and Services conducts the test in Japan, and the Japan Foundation conducts the test overseas with the cooperation of local host institutions.
In Taiwan, the JLPT is co-hosted with Japan - Taiwan Exchange Association.

No. Test questions differ according to level. Different questions are provided to measure the Japanese-language competency of examinees as accurately as possible. Please choose a suitable level when taking the test.

Please refer to "Summary of Linguistic Competence Required for Each Level." In addition, you can check specific levels by going over "Sample Questions(PC)."

Based on statistical analysis, the passing line for the current test is designed to match that of the old test. This means that examinees with the Japanese-language competence to pass Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the old test can pass N1, N2, N4 and N5 in the current test. The passing line for N3, a level added in 2010, is designed to fall between Levels 2 and 3 of the old test, based on statistical analysis of the Japanese-language competence required to pass these levels.

No, neither is currently included.

Please refer to "Test Sections and Test Times."

There is no change in the difficulty or the contents of the test questions. For new test times, please refer to “Test Sections and Test Times.”

The test results will be as reliable as before.
In general, a larger number of questions is said to improve the reliability of the test results.
The number of questions was reduced for “Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)” and “Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading” for N4 and N5 from the test in 2020 (December), and for “Listening” for N1 from the test in 2022 (December). The changes are based on research into test data since the 2010 revision of the JLPT, and are designed to produce reliable test results even with a smaller number of questions.

Because there are fewer test items in vocabulary and grammar that can be included in levels N3, N4 and N5, placing Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading in the same section may inadvertently provide hints for answers. In order to avoid such a situation, two separate test sections -- "Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)" and "Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading" -- are offered for N3, N4 and N5.

They are summarized in "Composition of test items." "Sample Questions(PC)" covers all question patterns for all levels. Please take a look at it.

Yes, the JLPT uses a multiple-choice computer-scored answer sheet. There are four choices for most questions, although some "Listening" questions have only three choices.

Other "Listening" questions have examples to help examinees understand the form and how to answer. The last question does not have this kind of example with which to practice.

No question specifically asks cultural knowledge of Japan. Some questions may refer to cultural aspects, but all questions can be answered without cultural knowledge.

No, you cannot take the test paper with you. If you do, you will automatically fail the test.

Test question copyrights are held by test organizers, the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services.
Unauthorized copying, duplication, and reproduction of test questions is strictly prohibited by law. Test questions may also contain material copyrighted by third parties. When using third-party copyrighted material, permission must be obtained separately from the copyright holder.

The exact same test questions of every exam are not published. However, the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Practice Workbooks(PC) have been released in 2 volumes since the 2010 revision of the test. The Official Practice Workbook published in 2012 and the Official Practice Workbook Vol. 2 released in 2018 each contains, for all levels, questions selected from among those used in tests since the 2010 revision, with the number of test items included being almost equivalent to an actual test. Sample questions based on past test questions are scheduled be published regularly in the future. The publication schedule will be announced on the official JLPT website.

We believe that the ultimate goal of studying Japanese is to use the language to communicate rather than simply memorizing vocabulary, kanji and grammar items. Based on this idea, the JLPT measures "language knowledge such as characters, vocabulary and grammar" as well as "competence to perform communicative tasks by using the language knowledge." Therefore, we decided that publishing "Test Content Specifications" containing a list of vocabulary, kanji and grammar items was not necessarily appropriate. As information to replace "Summary of Linguistic Competence Required for Each Level" and "Composition of test items" are available. Please also refer to "Sample Questions(PC)."

Yes, you can. You can download audio files from "Sample Questions(PC)."
In addition, the following books come with audio CDs.
・"New Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guidebook: An Executive Summary and Sample Questions for N1,N2 and N3" (900 yen, + tax)
・"New Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guidebook: An Executive Summary and Sample Questions for N4 and N5" (800 yen, + tax)
・"Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Practice Workbook (N1/N2/N3/N4/N5)" (700 yen for each level, + tax)
・"Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Practice Workbook Vol.2(N1/N2/N3/N4/N5)" (700 yen for each level, + tax)

The Scoring Sections and range of scores are shown in "Scoring sections and range of scores for each level."

Because many areas of "Language Knowledge" and "Reading" in N4 and N5 at the basic stage of Japanese-language learning overlap or cannot be easily separated, we believe giving a combined score for "Reading" and "Language Knowledge" better suits the characteristics of the learning stage, rather than giving a separate score for "Reading" by itself.

Some tests use a system of totaling pre-determined points for correct answers to calculate scores. The JLPT uses a scaled score system based on "Item Response Theory" and does not total allocated points of correctly answered questions. Please see the more detailed explanation about scaled scores.

Individual examinees' scores are calculated not only mechanically but also strictly checked by specialists. As clearly stated in the Test Guide, we do not accept any inquiries regarding an individual's test results.
The JLPT uses "scaled scores", not "raw scores", which are obtained simply by adding the allocated points of correctly answered questions.
The "scaled score" is determined based on each examinee’s individual answering pattern—which questions were answered correctly and which were not. As it differs from the number of correct answers, it is possible for an examinee with a high number of correct answers to receive a relatively modest scaled score.
Please see the more detailed explanation about scaled scores.

There is a chart ("Cumulative Distribution of Scaled Scores") in the materials of each test time of "Past Test Data(PC)." You can find out where you stand among all examinees who took the same test by using the scaled scores given in the Score Report and this chart.

Since the content of the current test and the scoring method are different from the old test, the scores from the current test cannot be compared to those of the old test.

Examinees pass the JLPT when they take all required test sections and (1) have a total score to be at or above the Overall Pass Mark and (2) all scores of scoring sections are to be at or above the Sectional Pass Marks. If there is even one scoring section where the score is below the sectional pass mark, examinees are determined to have failed, no matter how high the total score he/she might have.

Scoring sections of N1-N3 and N4-N5 are different. Overall pass marks and sectional pass marks for each level are shown in the table below.

This is to evaluate if learners have a certain level of ability in all three elements, "Language Knowledge," "Reading" and "Listening."

Examinees will be judged to have failed if they miss a required test section. Although they will receive a Score Report, it will not show scores for any test section, including those that have been taken.

No. A judgment of pass or fail is made only for examinees who take all sections each time the test is given. Therefore, pass or fail cannot be determined if you take only a section where you previously failed to achieve a minimum score. You will pass the JLPT when you take the test for all sections on a subsequent occasion and earn (1) the minimum acceptable total score and (2) a minimum acceptable score in each Scoring Section.

A Score Report will be mailed to all examinees. In Japan, Score Reports for the July test will be sent in early September and Score Reports for the December test will be sent in early February. To examinees outside of Japan, Score Reports will be sent via local host institutions, and examinees will receive a report for the July test in early October and a report for the December test in early March. If you do not receive a report by the end of the scheduled month, please contact the local institution in the city where you took the test.

No, you cannot. We cannot respond to any inquiries regarding the test results via telephone or e-mail for any reason.

Procedures for reissuing a Score Report or Certificate of Proficiency due to mistakes in name or date of birth vary by the country/area in which you have taken the test. If you took the test in Japan, please inquire at JLPT Application Center, and if you took the test outside Japan, please inquire at the local host institution of the city in which you took the test.

[Japan]

• JLPT Application Center
• Hours: 9:30-17:30（except Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese National holidays, year end and New Year’s holidays）
• Tel: 03-6686-2974　　Fax: 03-6845-2544

[Overseas]

“Certificate of Result and Scores” and “Certificate of Japanese-Language Proficiency” with errors (eg. Name, date of birth) will be corrected and re-issued only if they are reported within a year from the test date. Request for correction due to the change of your name caused after the test date will NOT be accepted. The conditions for correction and reissuance are depending on each local host institution. Examinee should contact local host institution and present following documents.

① Test Voucher or Application Form B
② Photo identification used for the application of the test
③ Original “Certificate of Result and Scores” and “Certificate of Japanese-Language Proficiency” (if issued)

The JLPT certificate never expires. Results of the old test through 2009 also continue to be valid. However, companies and educational institutions that refer to test results sometimes set a time limit on the certificate. Please inquire at individual companies and educational institutions, as necessary.

A duplicate copy of “Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Certificate of Result and Scores” is available for a fee (only for tests taken after 1992). Please see “Certificate Issuance” for how to apply.

JLPT results are used as a reference by some universities. Please inquire directly at the schools to which you are applying.

The procedure for requesting confirmation of authenticity of a Certificate of Japanese-Language Proficiency / Score Report, a Certificate of Japanese-Language Proficiency, or a JLPT Certificate of Result and Scores varies by the country/area in which the test was taken. If you took the test in Japan, please contact the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services Center for Japanese-Language Testing. If you took the test outside Japan, please contact The Japan Foundation Center for Japanese-Language Testing.

■In Japan

Japan Educational Exchanges and Services Center for Japanese-Language Testing

Hours: Monday–Friday 9:30–17:30 (excluding Japanese public holidays and New Year holidays)
Tel: 03-5454-5215 Fax: 03-5454-5235

■Outside Japan

The Japan Foundation Center for Japanese-Language Testing

E-mail: jlptinfo＠jpf.go.jp
(When sending an e-mail, replace the full-width “@” character with a half-width “@” character.)
* Please write your e-mail in either Japanese or English.

This is an indication that links the JLPT's total score to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) language proficiency levels (A1 to C1, with C1 being the highest level).

There are six levels of language proficiency indicated by the CEFR: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 (with C2 being the highest level). For each level, see the "Global Scale: Common Reference Levels" of CEFR.
In the CEFR-CV (Companion Volume) published in 2020, PreA1 and + levels (A2+, B1+, etc.) are also indicated, but the JLPT does not include these indications as a reference.

The CEFR level code is widely used, both within Japan and in the world, to indicate levels of language proficiency. 「日本語教育の参照枠」（報告）(Report: Reference Framework for Japanese-Language Education) also drew upon the CEFR. Given such developments, we decided to add the reference indication of the CEFR level in JLPT score reports in order to increase the value and utility of the JLPT and thus to further serve the needs of all learners and other stakeholders. This will enable the JLPT test results to be compared with those of other Japanese tests which are either based on, or linked to, the level code of the CEFR.

The test result of the JLPT consists of a) the scores, both the total score and the scores by scoring sections, and b) pass/fail determination. The CEFR level will not form a part of this judgement, but will be for reference purpose only.

The correspondence of each level of JLPT to the CEFR level is shown in "Figure 1: Correspondence of the JLPT Total Score (N5 to N1) to the CEFR Level (A1 to C1)."

The reference indication of the CEFR level was developed based on the steps shown in by "Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR). A Manual" published by the Council of Europe in 2009. This procedure is also outlined in the 「日本語能力試験のCEFRレベル参考表示に向けて― 対応付けの手続きを中心に ―」(For Indication of the CEFR Level of the JLPT ~ on the Linking Procedures ~; available in Japanese only) released in February 2024.

The results of linking the JLPT total score to CEFR levels indicated that the corresponding level was up to C1.

The reference indication of the CEFR level is only shown for those who have passed the test, and not for those who have failed the test.

There will be no changes in the JLPT test contents; you do not have to change how to study for the JLPT.

There is no change to the JLPT content following the addition of the CEFR level indicated as a reference. There are currently no plans to add conversation/speaking or composition/writing tests.

The "Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)," "Reading" and "Listening" tested by the JLPT correspond to the "Linguistic" and "Reception (reading, listening)" in the CEFR. It does not include skills such as "Production (speaking, writing)" and "Interaction" in the CEFR.

The 「日本語教育の参照枠」 (Reference Framework for Japanese-Language Education) was also developed by referencing the CEFR. For more information, see the 「日本語教育の参照枠」（報告）(Report: Reference Framework for Japanese-Language Education; available in Japanese only).

Given that the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education is a framework based on the CEFR, the CEFR levels on the JLPT score reports will be made comparable to the levels of the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education, and vice versa.

Of examinees who passed the N3 level of the JLPT, those with a total score of 95 to 103 receive an A2 level indication, and those with 104 or higher a B1 level indication. Not all examinees who pass the N3 level are at the B1 level.

Please take the N3 or N2 test. For N3, if you pass with a total score of 104 points or higher, the reference indication is the B1 level. For N2, if you pass with a total score of up to 111 points, the reference indication is the B1 level.

According to the CEFR, both can be considered to be the same B1 level.

Of examinees who passed the N2 level of the JLPT, those with a total score of 90 to 111 receive a B1 level indication, and those with 112 or higher a B2 level indication. Even with examinees who pass the same level of the JLPT, the CEFR level indicated as a reference may vary depending on the score.

This indicates the CEFR level corresponding to the total score of the JLPT. A level of A1, A2, B1, B2, or C1 is indicated as a reference for examinees who took and passed the test in and after December 2025, in accordance with "Figure 1: Correspondence of JLPT Total Score (N5 to N1) to the CEFR Level (A1 to C1)." Note that there is no indication for those who have failed the test, or examinees who took the test in and before July 2025 (for details, please see the question "In the "CEFR Level" column of my score reports, the CEFR level is not indicated and "＊" is shown. What is the reason for this?" below).

For tests taken in and after December 2025, there will be no CEFR level indicated as a reference if the examinee who did not pass the test (a "＊" will be shown). For the JLPT, examinees are determined to have failed if there is even one scoring section where the score is below the sectional pass mark, no matter how high the total score he/she might have. Examinees with such results did not pass the test, so the reference indication of CEFR level will also not be shown. Also, score reports for tests taken in and before July 2025 will not have the CEFR level indicated as a reference. A "＊" will be shown in the relevant sections for duplicated copies of the certificate.

The CEFR level designation given to score reports is assigned only as reference information; reports and certificates for tests taken in and before July 2025 will remain valid.

Duplicated copies of the Certificate of Result and Scores for tests taken in and before the July 2025 JLPT will not have the CEFR level indicated as a reference (a "＊" will be shown).
Those who took the test between 2010 and July 2025 can check their own CEFR level as a reference for learning by using "Figure 1: Correspondence of JLPT Total Score (N5 to N1) to the CEFR Level (A1 to C1)". Note that it is not possible to issue a duplicated copy of your Certificate of Result and Scores with the CEFR level indicated as a reference.

1. JLPT's results can be cross-referenced with other Japanese language tests that comply with the CEFR or have been linked to the CEFR.
2. With regards to whether the CEFR level indicated as a reference of the JLPT is recognized as a qualification, etc., please inquire with the school, company, or institution in charge of systems utilizing the results of the JLPT.

"Summary of Linguistic Competence Required for Each Level" shows the level of abilities required for each level of the JLPT. On the other hand, "JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation List" indicates activities that successful examinees of each level think they "can do in Japanese." In other words, it does not refer to passing of a level's standard but is based on examinees' self-evaluation. It can be used as a reference to get an idea of "what can be done in Japanese by successful examinees of a particular level."

No. Because the list shows results of successful examinees' answers to the question "do you think you can …," activities listed may not necessarily be possible for all those who pass the level. However, since the survey was conducted with as many as 65,000 examinees, the list is believed to show overall tendencies and set aside extreme differences by individual.

"JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation List" summarizes what activities (listening, speaking, reading and writing) successful examinees of each level can do in Japanese, based on a questionnaire survey. It is not a syllabus (question outline) of the test. The list is prepared based on a survey, which also encompasses questions on speaking and writing skills, in order to provide prospective examinees and others with comprehensive information on what successful examinees think they "can do," regardless of test section or content.

Please refer to "JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation Survey Reports: Final Report" for details. (The reports are written in Japanese.)

"JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation List" was prepared based on a continuing survey following "JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation Survey Reports: Interim Report" and included a larger number of survey respondents. While the survey items are identical for both surveys, methods of analysis and result calculation differ. Please refer to an upcoming publication, "JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation Survey Reports: Final Report" for details. (The reports are written in Japanese.)

No. "JLPT Can-do Self-Evaluation List" and "JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education" were prepared under different circumstances, and they differ in development purposes, methods and procedures. For Can-do for JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education, please refer to the "JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education" website. For relationships between the JLPT and JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education, please refer to "Reports on Association Survey on JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education and JLPT".