Yukigo
JLPT N5: the guide to getting started
The JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) is the world's most recognized Japanese certification. It has five levels: you start from N5, the easiest, and climb up to N1.
N5 tests basic Japanese comprehension: reading simple sentences in kana and elementary kanji, and understanding slow conversations about everyday topics.
What N5 requires
The common estimates: about 100 kanji, 700–800 words, basic grammar, and both syllabaries (hiragana and katakana) read confidently. No writing or speaking: the test is entirely multiple choice.
How the exam is structured
Three sections — language knowledge (vocabulary), grammar and reading, and listening — for about an hour and a half in total. The maximum score is 180: you need at least 80 points overall plus a minimum in each section to pass.
When and how to register
In most countries it's held twice a year, in July and December, at official test sites; registration opens a few months earlier. Check the official JLPT site or your country's Japanese cultural institute.
The study plan
In order: kana (one or two weeks), then basic vocabulary and grammar together, kanji tied to the words you already know, and finally reading and listening. The key isn't cramming but consistency: short daily sessions with spaced repetition beat any full immersion.
The five levels side by side
| Level | Kanji | Words | To pass | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | ≈ 100 | ≈ 800 | 80/180 | 90 min |
| N4 | ≈ 300 | ≈ 1,500 | 90/180 | 115 min |
| N3 | ≈ 650 | ≈ 3,750 | 95/180 | 140 min |
| N2 | ≈ 1,000 | ≈ 6,000 | 90/180 | 155 min |
| N1 | ≈ 2,000 | ≈ 10,000 | 100/180 | 165 min |
Kanji and word counts are estimates: since 2010 the JLPT no longer publishes official character or vocabulary lists. Test durations and pass marks, on the other hand, are official.
Prepare with Yukigo
Yukigo covers the entire N5 path — kana, kanji, grammar, vocabulary and reading — with ordered lessons, spaced repetition and an AI tutor for your questions. Free and ad-free.
Free beta, installs in two minutes. How do I install it?
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your pace: the most cited estimates say 300–400 hours from zero. At one hour a day, roughly six months to a year; faster with more intensity.
About 100 kanji and 700–800 words, plus both syllabaries and basic grammar.
No, the result never expires. Some institutions may however ask for recent results.
Usually not: visas and jobs typically require N2 or N1. N5 is the first concrete milestone — it structures your study and measures progress.