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.

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 2024, the tests will be conducted on Sunday, July 7 and Sunday, December 1.
(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."

No, you cannot.

Please make sure to apply with the institution conducting the test in the country/area where you plan to take it. Registration methods differ by country. Please contact the local institution. If you cannot apply for the test by yourself, please ask a friend or acquaintance in the country/area where you want to take the test for help with registration.

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." Scaled scores are calculated based on "answering patterns" of each examinee, not on "the number of questions correctly answered." Therefore, scores in the results may be different from what you thought. 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: Monday-Friday, 9:30-17:30
• 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.

They cannot be reissued, but as a replacement, duplicate copy of "Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Certificate of Result and Scores" can be issued. 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.

"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".