100+ Free J-CAT Practice Questions
Pass your J-CAT — Japanese Computerized Adaptive Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
つぎの 文を 読んで、しつもんに 答えてください。 「祖母は 90歳だが、毎朝 散歩を 欠かさない。『体を 動かす ことが、長生きの ひけつだ』と いつも 言って いる。」 しつもん：祖母は 何が 長生きの ひけつだと 考えて いますか。 (Read and answer: What does the grandmother think is the secret to long life? — She's 90 but never skips her morning walk, always saying moving the body is the secret to longevity.)
Key Facts: J-CAT Exam
J-CAT is an online, computer-adaptive Japanese proficiency test from a University of Tsukuba research team, scoring Listening, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Reading out of 400 points (100 each) in about 45–90 minutes, with scores mapping to JLPT and CEFR levels.
Sample J-CAT Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your J-CAT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1（ ）に いちばん いい ことばを えらんでください。 毎朝 コーヒーを（ ）。 (Choose the best word for the blank: Every morning I ___ coffee.)
2（ ）に いちばん いい ことばを えらんでください。 きのうは とても（ ）から、はやく ねました。 (Choose the best word: Yesterday I was very ___, so I went to bed early.)
3下線の ことばの いみに いちばん 近い ものを えらんでください。 田中さんは いつも 親切です。 (Choose the closest meaning to the underlined word: Mr. Tanaka is always 親切.)
4（ ）に いちばん いい ことばを えらんでください。 この くすりは 一日に 三（ ）のんでください。 (Choose the best counter: Take this medicine three ___ a day.)
5（ ）に いちばん いい ことばを えらんでください。 へやが きたないので、（ ）を かけましょう。 (Choose the best word: The room is dirty, so let's run the ___.)
6下線の ことばの いみに いちばん 近い ものを えらんでください。 この 問題は かんたんです。 (Choose the closest meaning: This problem is かんたん.)
7（ ）に いちばん いい ことばを えらんでください。 会議は 来週の 月曜日に（ ）しました。 (Choose the best word: The meeting was ___ to next Monday.)
8（ ）に いちばん いい ことばを えらんでください。 彼は 約束を 守らないので、みんなに（ ）されている。 (Choose the best word: He doesn't keep promises, so everyone ___ him.)
9下線の ことばの いみに いちばん 近い ものを えらんでください。 その 計画は あいまいだ。 (Choose the closest meaning: That plan is あいまい.)
10（ ）に いちばん いい ことばを えらんでください。 台風で 電車が 止まり、駅は 大勢の 人で（ ）いた。 (Choose the best word: Due to the typhoon, trains stopped and the station was ___ with crowds.)
About the J-CAT Exam
J-CAT (Japanese Computerized Adaptive Test) is an online, computer-adaptive Japanese proficiency test developed by a research team at the University of Tsukuba and administered through JaLESA. It measures Japanese ability across four sections — Listening, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Reading — presented in that order, each scored out of 100 points for a maximum total of 400. Unlike paper tests that simply count correct answers, J-CAT uses Item Response Theory (IRT) and computer-adaptive testing (CAT): the computer selects each question based on your previous answers, so it can estimate ability accurately with fewer items and in less time, typically 45 to 90 minutes. Results are available immediately on completion. J-CAT scores map to approximate JLPT levels (150+ ≈ N4, 200+ ≈ N3, 250+ ≈ N2, 300+ ≈ N1) and to CEFR bands, which makes it popular with universities and language schools for student placement and ongoing progress checks. It is not an official certificate like the JLPT, but it can be taken on demand online at any time, providing a fast, standardized snapshot of current Japanese proficiency.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Approximately 45–90 minutes, completed online in a single sitting. The adaptive engine stops each of the four sections once it has enough data to estimate your ability.
Passing Score
No pass/fail. Scored 0–400 (four sections of 100). Approximate JLPT mapping: 150+ ≈ N4, 200+ ≈ N3, 250+ ≈ N2, 300+ ≈ N1. CEFR: 175+ ≈ A2, 225+ ≈ B1, 275+ ≈ B2, 325+ ≈ C1.
Exam Fee
Taken online on demand; historically free, now typically a small fee (around 3,000 yen) via JaLESA, with many institutions offering it free to enrolled students. Confirm current pricing on j-cat2.org. (J-CAT Project team (University of Tsukuba research group, led by researchers including Shingo Imai) administered through JaLESA)
J-CAT Exam Content Outline
Listening Comprehension
Audio dialogues, store and station announcements, voicemails, and lecture excerpts with multiple-choice comprehension questions; 100 of the 400 points.
Vocabulary
Contextual word choice, synonyms, counters, Sino-Japanese kango, idioms, and adverbs of degree and register from everyday to advanced; 100 of the 400 points.
Grammar
Particles, conjugation, conditionals, causative and passive forms, giving-receiving verbs, and advanced N2–N1 sentence patterns; 100 of the 400 points.
Reading Comprehension
Notices, emails, and longer essays tested for detail, cause and purpose, reference resolution, and author stance; 100 of the 400 points.
How to Pass the J-CAT Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No pass/fail. Scored 0–400 (four sections of 100). Approximate JLPT mapping: 150+ ≈ N4, 200+ ≈ N3, 250+ ≈ N2, 300+ ≈ N1. CEFR: 175+ ≈ A2, 225+ ≈ B1, 275+ ≈ B2, 325+ ≈ C1.
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Approximately 45–90 minutes, completed online in a single sitting. The adaptive engine stops each of the four sections once it has enough data to estimate your ability.
- Exam fee: Taken online on demand; historically free, now typically a small fee (around 3,000 yen) via JaLESA, with many institutions offering it free to enrolled students. Confirm current pricing on j-cat2.org.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
J-CAT Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the J-CAT and who developed it?
J-CAT (Japanese Computerized Adaptive Test) is an online, computer-adaptive test of Japanese proficiency developed by a research team at the University of Tsukuba and administered through JaLESA. It assesses Listening, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Reading using Item Response Theory.
How is the J-CAT scored?
J-CAT is scored from 0 to 400 points, with four sections — Listening, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Reading — each worth 100 points. There is no pass or fail; instead, your total maps to a proficiency band and an approximate JLPT and CEFR level.
How do J-CAT scores compare to JLPT levels?
Official J-CAT guidance maps roughly 150+ to N4, 200+ to N3, 250+ to N2, and 300+ to N1. On the CEFR scale, 175+ is about A2, 225+ about B1, 275+ about B2, and 325+ about C1. J-CAT is for placement, not an official JLPT certificate.
How long does the J-CAT take and is it adaptive?
The J-CAT takes about 45 to 90 minutes in one online sitting. It is computer-adaptive: the system chooses each question based on your previous answers, so it estimates your level accurately with fewer items, and results are shown immediately.
Does the J-CAT have speaking or writing sections?
No. The J-CAT is entirely multiple-choice across its four sections — Listening, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Reading. There are no speaking or writing components, which is why it can be delivered and scored automatically online.
Is the J-CAT free and when can I take it?
J-CAT is taken online on demand, so you can take it at any time. It was originally free; current administration through JaLESA typically charges a small per-attempt fee (around 3,000 yen), though many universities and schools provide it free for student placement.