JLPT N5 · Complete guide
JLPT N5: the complete guide
The easiest level. Half still fail.
The JLPT N5 is the entry level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, and it is not a formality: in December 2025, only 50.2% of candidates passed. The test runs 90 minutes, all reading and listening, and you need 80 of 180 points plus a minimum in each section. It also matters more than it used to: from the October 2026 intake, language-school students entering Japan must prove A1 Japanese with a test such as N5 or an interview. This guide covers the format question by question, the true size of the syllabus, a 20-week plan and what the certificate does and does not open.
Based on 22 official and research sources · Updated September 23, 2026
JLPT N5 at a glance
- applied for the N5 in July 2026, up 14% from a year earlier (preliminary)11
- 92,360
- kanji taught in Aaronsan’s N5 path, all of them free
- 103
- N5 words in Aaronsan, each with its meaning in your language
- 1,065
What N5 means
What an N5 pass says about your Japanese
An N5 pass shows “the ability to understand some basic Japanese,” in the JLPT’s words: reading simple sentences in kana and basic kanji, and following short, slow conversations. It certifies nothing about speaking or writing.
Reading: kana and basic kanji
Officially, an N5 candidate can “read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji.” Think of a short notice, a schedule, a simple message: set phrases, not free-running text.5
Listening: short, slow and familiar
The JLPT describes following “conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life and classroom situations” and picking up the necessary information when people speak slowly. Japanese at natural speed is a later goal.5
CEFR A1 on the score report
Since the December 2025 test, passing N5 score reports show A1, the first level of the European framework. From the October 2026 intake, A1 is also what Japan’s immigration agency requires language-school students to prove, with a test or an interview.12
Format
The N5 test, question type by question type
The N5 has three timed parts and about 67 multiple-choice questions: vocabulary (20 minutes), grammar and reading (40) and listening (30). The first two parts were shortened in December 2020; listening was not.
| Part | Question type | Items |
|---|---|---|
| Language knowledge (vocabulary)20 min | Kanji reading: choose how a word in kanji is read漢字読み | about 7 |
| Language knowledge (vocabulary) | Orthography: choose how a word is written表記 | about 5 |
| Language knowledge (vocabulary) | Context: pick the word that fits the sentence文脈規定 | about 6 |
| Language knowledge (vocabulary) | Paraphrases: find the sentence with the same meaning言い換え類義 | about 3 |
| Language knowledge (grammar) and reading40 min | Grammar form: pick the right particle or ending文の文法1 | about 9 |
| Language knowledge (grammar) and reading | Sentence building: put four pieces in order文の文法2 | about 4 |
| Language knowledge (grammar) and reading | Text grammar: fill the gaps in a short text文章の文法 | about 4 |
| Language knowledge (grammar) and reading | Short passages (about 80 characters)内容理解（短文） | about 2 |
| Language knowledge (grammar) and reading | Mid-size passages (about 250 characters)内容理解（中文） | about 2 |
| Language knowledge (grammar) and reading | Information retrieval: find a fact in a notice or schedule情報検索 | about 1 |
| Listening30 min | Task-based: what should the person do next?課題理解 | about 7 |
| Listening | Key points: catch one specific detailポイント理解 | about 6 |
| Listening | Expressions: what do you say in this situation?発話表現 | about 5 |
| Listening | Quick response: pick the right reply to one line即時応答 | about 6 |
Scoring
How the N5 is scored, and how 87 points can fail
The N5 has two scoring sections: language knowledge and reading together, out of 120, and listening, out of 60. You pass with 80 out of 180, provided you also reach 38 in the first section and 19 in listening.
Scores are scaled, not a count of right answers: the JLPT weighs which questions you answered correctly so that results stay comparable between sessions.6
The CEFR level appears only on passing score reports.12
You must sit all three parts: a pass or fail is decided only for candidates who took every section.13
Syllabus size
How many kanji, words and grammar points?
There is no official N5 list, which is why sites quote anywhere from 80 to 112 kanji. The only official figures predate the 2010 revision: about 100 kanji and 800 words for the old Level 4, which became N5.
No official list since 2010
When the JLPT was revised in 2010, it stopped publishing lists of vocabulary, kanji and grammar, saying it measures how you use Japanese, not what you memorized. Every N5 list online is an estimate.6
Why the counts disagree
Each site builds its own list, from textbooks, the old criteria or frequency data, and draws the line in a different place. That is how you get 80 kanji on one site and 112 on another, for the same level.
What Aaronsan teaches at N5
Our N5 path covers 103 kanji, 1,065 words, 81 grammar points and 292 phrases. It is our own estimate, like every list online, and in line with the old official figures.
Kanji and words
The most frequent N5 kanji, words and grammar
A sample from Aaronsan’s N5 path: 15 of the most common N5 kanji, 15 core words and the first 10 grammar points. The full lists open with a free account.
15 of 103 kanji
| Kanji | On-yomi | Kun-yomi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 日 | ニチ、ジツ | ひ、-び | day, sun, Japan |
| 一 | イチ、イツ | ひと-、ひと.つ | one |
| 国 | コク | くに | country |
| 会 | カイ、エ | あ.う、あ.わせる | meeting, meet, party |
| 人 | ジン、ニン | ひと、-り | person, human |
| 年 | ネン | とし | year |
| 大 | ダイ、タイ | おお-、おお.きい | large, big |
| 十 | ジュウ、ジッ | とお、と | ten |
| 二 | ニ、ジ | ふた、ふた.つ | two |
| 本 | ホン | もと | book, present, origin |
| 中 | チュウ | なか、うち | in, inside, middle |
| 長 | チョウ | なが.い、おさ | long, leader, superior |
| 出 | シュツ、スイ | で.る、-で | exit, leave, go out |
| 三 | サン、ゾウ | み、み.つ | three |
| 時 | ジ | とき、-どき | time, hour |
88 more in your free account
15 of 1,065 words
- 一いちone
- 二にtwo
- 三さんthree
- するto do
- 四し、よんfour
- 五ごfive
- 私わたしI, me
- いるto be, to exist (animate)
- いいgood
- 六ろくsix
- あるto be, to exist (inanimate)
- 七しち、ななseven
- 八はちeight
- 人ひとperson, people
- 言ういうto say
1,050 more in your free account
10 of 81 grammar points
- は
- Topic marker. Indicates the subject/topic of the sentence. Pronounced "wa", not "ha".
- が
- Subject marker. Marks the grammatical subject. Used for new information, questions, and existence.
- を
- Direct object marker. Indicates the direct object of an action. Pronounced "o".
- に
- Location/time/direction marker.
- で
- Marker for the location of an action or the means used.
- へ
- Direction marker.
- から
- since, from, because
- まで
- until, up to
- と
- and, with, quotation
- の
- of (possession/modification)
71 more in your free account
Try it
Three N5 cards, right now
A question, four choices, instant feedback: that is an Aaronsan session. In the app, each card returns just before you would forget it.
KanjiCard 1 of 3
What does this kanji mean?
日
Study time
How long does N5 take?
The last official figure is about 150 hours of study for the level that became N5. At 30 minutes a day, that is roughly 10 months; at an hour a day, about 5.
| Goal | 15 min a day | 30 min a day | 60 min a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| JLPT N5150 hours | about 20 months | about 10 months | about 5 months |
The 150 hours come from the old Level 4 criteria, which the JLPT pairs with N5. The current test publishes no hour estimates.7
Those hours describe study that completes the first half of an elementary course. In our experience, learners who already read Chinese characters often go faster, and learners new to non-Latin scripts often need longer.
Testing yourself matters more than hours logged. In a classic memory study, students who kept testing themselves recalled about 80% of new words a week later; those who stopped testing recalled about a third.22
20-week plan
A 20-week N5 plan
At about an hour a day, twenty weeks add up to some 140 hours, close to the official 150. Stretch each block if your pace is slower; the order matters more than the speed.
Weeks 1–3
Hiragana and katakana, with sound
Learn the kana with audio from day one, and read them aloud. Drop romaji as soon as you can read hiragana: every N5 question is written in Japanese script.
Weeks 4–6
First words and particles
The most frequent words (numbers, people, time, common verbs) and the core particles は, が, を, に, で. Start the first kanji: 日, 一, 人, 年, 大.
Weeks 7–9
Verbs and polite sentences
The ます form, past and negative, adjectives, and the first 40 kanji. Listen to short dialogues every day, even for ten minutes.
Weeks 10–12
Build out vocabulary and grammar
Time, places, shopping, family; te-form requests; counters. Reviews now fill more of each session. That means the early material is sticking.
Weeks 13–16
Reading and listening practice
Work through the free official practice workbooks: short passages, notices and schedules, and all four listening question types. They follow the longer pre-2020 format, so expect a few more questions than on the real test.8
Weeks 17–20
Timed mock exams
Sit full timed mocks, then check each part, not just the total. If listening is your weakest part, that is where the extra hours go.8
Exam week
Keep reviews, stop new material
Keep your daily reviews, do one last mock at the time of the real test, and check what your test center asks you to bring. In Japan, JEES mails the voucher by Nov. 20 for the December test.13
Resources
The best N5 resources, most of them free
The most reliable practice material is free and official. Pair it with one course for grammar and one tool for daily memorization.
Official Practice Workbooks
Two free volumes (2012 and 2018) on jlpt.jp, each close to a full N5 test, with the listening audio, the script and the answers. Start here for the real format.8
Genki I or Minna no Nihongo I
The two standard beginner courses. Genki I and the first 25 lessons of Minna no Nihongo are commonly paired with N5 study.
Irodori (Japan Foundation)
A free course for everyday life in Japan, from the A1 Starter level, with PDFs and hours of audio. Especially useful if you plan to live or work there.19
Minato (Japan Foundation)
Free self-study courses for hiragana and katakana, about 14 hours each, plus the Marugoto A1 courses.20
NHK World Easy Japanese
Forty-eight free audio lessons in many languages, built on the A1–A2 levels, good for daily listening.21
Aaronsan, N5 free
All 103 kanji, 1,065 words and 81 grammar points of our N5 path, with spaced reviews that schedule each card for you and an N5 mock exam.
What it opens
What the N5 certificate is worth in 2026
N5 is a first milestone, not a work permit. But from the October 2026 intake, a test result such as N5 (or an interview) becomes mandatory proof of A1 for language-school students, and from April 1, 2027, N5 meets the Japanese requirement of the new Employment for Skill Development program.
Language-school student visa
For students entering from October 2026, immigration no longer accepts 150 hours of study as proof of A1: a test certificate or an interview is mandatory. JLPT N5 counts, as do several other tests.1516
Employment for Skill Development (2027)
The program that replaces Technical Intern Training on April 1, 2027 asks for A1 Japanese before starting work: a test such as JLPT N5 or JFT-Basic, or equivalent classes.17
Not enough for Specified Skilled Worker
The Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa asks for at least JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic at A2, one level above N5; some fields ask for more.1718
Jobs: a start, not a door
Few employers hire on N5 alone. It shows commitment and gets you started; jobs that require Japanese usually ask for a higher level.
A goal you can verify
An N5 pass is a clear, checkable result after months of study, and the first rung of a ladder that ends at N1.12
Taking it in Japan in 2026
In Japan, the 2026 tests are in principle limited to mid- to long-term residents and special permanent residents, and each person may sit only one level.14
You can skip N5. The JLPT has no prerequisite: you can register directly for N4 if the sample questions feel comfortable.6
N5 vs. N4: N5 expects set phrases in kana and basic kanji; N4 adds reading familiar topics and following everyday conversations spoken slowly. The old criteria put N4 at about 300 kanji, 1,500 words and 300 hours.57
Questions
JLPT N5 questions
Short answers to what people ask most, each with its source.
How many kanji do you need for the JLPT N5?
There is no official number. The old test’s equivalent level expected about 100 kanji; Aaronsan’s N5 path covers just over 100. Lists quoting 80 or 112 simply count differently.67
What is the passing score for the JLPT N5?
80 out of 180, with at least 38 out of 120 in language knowledge and reading and 19 out of 60 in listening. Missing either minimum means failing, whatever the total.4
How long does it take to prepare for the N5?
The official baseline is about 150 hours of study: roughly 5 months at an hour a day, or 10 months at 30 minutes. Learners who already read Chinese characters often go faster.7
Is the JLPT N5 hard?
It is the easiest level, but not a formality: about one candidate in two passed in 2025 (50.8% in July, 50.2% in December). Listening has its own minimum, so studying only on paper is a real risk.910
Is the JLPT N5 worth taking?
Yes, if you need proof of A1 Japanese: it counts for language-school student visas from October 2026 and for the skills-development work program from April 2027. On its own, it carries little weight with employers.1617
Can I work in Japan with JLPT N5?
Rarely on N5 alone. The Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa asks for at least N4 or JFT-Basic A2. N5 meets the Japanese requirement to enter the Employment for Skill Development program from April 2027.17
Can I skip N5 and take N4 directly?
Yes. The JLPT has no prerequisite; choose the level that matches the official sample questions.6
Does the N5 test speaking or writing?
No. Every question is multiple choice, in vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening. There is no conversation or composition section.6
Where can I find free N5 practice tests?
On jlpt.jp: two Official Practice Workbooks, each close to a full N5 test, with listening audio, script and answers, all free.8
Is JLPT N5 equivalent to CEFR A1?
Yes. Since the December 2025 test, passing N5 score reports show A1 as the CEFR reference level.12
Does the N5 certificate expire?
No. The JLPT certificate never expires, though some schools or employers ask for a recent result.6
How do I register for the N5, and what does it cost?
Through the host institution in your country, which sets its own dates and fee. In Japan the fee is ¥7,500, and registration for December 2026 closed early on Sept. 3; the deadline was Sept. 7, and JEES had warned it could close early because of venue capacity.1314
Sources
Links checked on September 23, 2026.
- 1
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · Test sections and test times
- 2
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · Changes to test times and number of items (from December 2020) · September 10, 2020
- 3
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · N5 test content and question types
- 4
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · Scoring sections, pass marks and sectional pass marks
- 5
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · N1–N5: summary of linguistic competence required for each level
- 6
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · Frequently asked questions
- 7
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · Comparison of old test levels and new test levels
- 8
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · Sample questions and Official Practice Workbooks
- 9
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · July 2025 test: applicants, examinees and pass rates
- 10
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · December 2025 test: applicants, examinees and pass rates
- 11
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · July 2026 test: preliminary applicant figures · August 1, 2026 · in Japanese
- 12
JLPT (Japan Foundation and JEES) · CEFR reference levels on score reports
- 13
JEES · December 2026 test in Japan: dates, fee and results · July 14, 2026 · in Japanese
- 14
JEES · JEES notices: December 2026 registration and eligibility in Japan · September 16, 2026 · in Japanese
- 15
Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Proof of Japanese ability for language-school students · in Japanese
- 16
Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Japanese tests accepted as proof of A1 · in Japanese
- 17
Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Outline of Employment for Skill Development and Specified Skilled Worker · July 2026
- 18
Japan Foundation · About JFT-Basic
- 19
Japan Foundation · Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan
- 20
Japan Foundation · Minato: Japan Foundation e-learning
- 21
NHK World-Japan · Easy Japanese
- 22
Science · Karpicke and Roediger, The critical importance of retrieval for learning · February 2008
Please note
Aaronsan is an independent study app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Japan Foundation or Japan Educational Exchanges and Services, which administer the JLPT.
Test dates, fees and immigration rules change. Always confirm with the official JLPT website, your local host and the Immigration Services Agency before acting.
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More on the JLPT
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