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Key Facts: JLPT N5 Exam
The JLPT N5 is administered by the Japan Foundation and JEES across approximately 85 countries and 250 cities worldwide.
N5 candidates must know approximately 800 Japanese vocabulary words and 100 basic kanji to pass the exam.
The JLPT N5 has a total score of 180 points and requires a minimum of 80 points to pass overall.
N5 is the lowest of the five JLPT levels (N5 through N1), corresponding roughly to CEFR level A1.
The JLPT N5 exam contains approximately 100 multiple-choice questions spread across three timed sections totalling 90 minutes.
Candidates must also score at least 38 out of 120 on Language Knowledge plus Reading and 19 out of 60 on Listening to pass.
The 2026 JLPT exam dates are July 6 and December 7 (Japan); overseas dates may vary by site.
The JLPT has no speaking or writing sections at any level — all questions are four-option multiple choice.
JLPT N5 is the beginner level of Japan's official Japanese proficiency certificate, testing basic vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading, and listening through ~100 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes.
Sample JLPT N5 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the JLPT N5 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 124+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1つぎのことばの よみかたを えらんでください。 山
2つぎのことばの よみかたを えらんでください。 水
3つぎのことばの よみかたを えらんでください。 食べる
4つぎのことばの よみかたを えらんでください。 右
5（ ）に なにを いれますか。ただしいものを えらんでください。 これは わたしの かさ（ ）。
6つぎのことばの よみかたを えらんでください。 毎日
7（ ）に なにを いれますか。ただしいものを えらんでください。 わたしは まいにち コーヒー（ ）のみます。
8つぎのことばの よみかたを えらんでください。 学校
9（ ）に なにを いれますか。ただしいものを えらんでください。 A：あなたは なんさいですか。 B：わたしは にじゅうさん（ ）です。
10つぎの ぶんの（ ）に はいる ことばは どれですか。 きのう えいがを みて、（ ）たのしかったです。
About the JLPT N5 Exam
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5 is the entry-level certification in the five-level JLPT system, designed to assess foundational Japanese reading and listening ability. At N5, candidates are expected to read and understand basic hiragana, katakana, and approximately 100 kanji, and to comprehend slow, simple conversations about everyday topics such as greetings, shopping, directions, school, and daily routines. The exam is entirely multiple-choice with no writing or speaking components. It is co-administered by the Japan Foundation for overseas test sites and JEES for sites within Japan, and is offered twice yearly in July and December across approximately 85 countries and 250 cities worldwide. Passing N5 is not required for employment or university admission in Japan, but it provides an internationally recognised benchmark of beginner Japanese proficiency and is a common first goal for new learners. Scores are reported on a 0–180 scale and candidates must meet both the overall pass mark (80) and the individual sectional pass marks to receive a certificate.
Exam sponsor: Japan Foundation (overseas) and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services — JEES (in Japan). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes active test time: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) 20 min, Language Knowledge (Grammar) + Reading 40 min, Listening 30 min. Breaks of 20–30 minutes separate the sections.
Passing Score
80 out of 180 total points, with a minimum of 38 out of 120 on Language Knowledge + Reading and 19 out of 60 on Listening. All three thresholds must be met.
Exam / Certification Fees
Varies by country. Approximately AUD $95 in Australia, PHP 1,800 in the Philippines, SGD $100 in Singapore (2026 rates). Check the local host institution for the exact fee in your city.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Language Knowledge — Vocabulary
Kanji reading, orthography (kana-to-kanji and kanji-to-kana conversion), and contextual word selection across ~800 N5-level vocabulary words and ~100 basic kanji.
Language Knowledge — Grammar
Grammatical form identification (particles, verb conjugations, adjective inflections), sentence reordering (star-mark questions), and text-flow coherence questions.
Reading Comprehension
Short passage (up to ~80 characters), medium passage (~250 characters), and information retrieval from practical displays such as timetables, menus, notices, and ads.
Listening Comprehension
Task-based comprehension, key-point comprehension, verbal-expression matching, and quick-response questions based on short audio dialogues and announcements.
Preparing for the JLPT N5 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 80 out of 180 total points, with a minimum of 38 out of 120 on Language Knowledge + Reading and 19 out of 60 on Listening. All three thresholds must be met.
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 90 minutes active test time: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) 20 min, Language Knowledge (Grammar) + Reading 40 min, Listening 30 min. Breaks of 20–30 minutes separate the sections.
- Exam / certification fees: Varies by country. Approximately AUD $95 in Australia, PHP 1,800 in the Philippines, SGD $100 in Singapore (2026 rates). Check the local host institution for the exact fee in your city. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 124 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
JLPT N5: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JLPT N5 and who administers it?
The JLPT N5 is the easiest of the five Japanese-Language Proficiency Test levels, jointly administered by the Japan Foundation (overseas) and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) inside Japan. It certifies that candidates can understand basic Japanese in everyday situations.
What score do I need to pass the JLPT N5?
You need a total score of at least 80 out of 180, AND at least 38 out of 120 on the Language Knowledge + Reading section, AND at least 19 out of 60 on the Listening section. All three conditions must be satisfied simultaneously.
How many questions are on the JLPT N5 and how long is it?
The N5 has approximately 100 multiple-choice questions across three sections: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary, 20 min), Language Knowledge (Grammar) + Reading (40 min), and Listening (30 min), giving 90 minutes of active test time with breaks between sections.
When is the JLPT held in 2026?
In 2026, the JLPT is offered on Sunday July 6 and Sunday December 7 in Japan. Dates at overseas sites may vary slightly — confirm with your local host institution.
Does the JLPT N5 have any writing or speaking components?
No. The JLPT N5 is entirely multiple-choice (four options per question). There are no writing, speaking, or open-ended sections at any JLPT level.
What Japanese ability does passing JLPT N5 prove?
Passing JLPT N5 demonstrates the ability to read hiragana, katakana, and approximately 100 basic kanji, understand simple sentences with approximately 800 words of vocabulary, and follow slow, simple conversations about everyday topics such as introductions, directions, shopping, and time.