What N5 and N4 test
The JLPT levels in concrete terms: what is on the exam, what it does not measure, and whether you need it.
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test runs from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest). N5 and N4 are the beginner levels, and together they define the scope of this course.
Roughly what each level expects
| N5 | N4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Kanji | ~100 | ~300 |
| Vocabulary | ~800 words | ~1,500 words |
| Study hours | 250 to 400 | 500 to 800 |
| Grammar | Polite forms, basic particles | Plain form, conditionals, passive, causative |
| Reading | Short kana-heavy passages | Everyday topics, short articles |
| Listening | Slow, simple exchanges | Natural-speed everyday conversation |
What the exam does not test
This is the part worth understanding before you organise your study around it.
- Speaking. There is no spoken component at any level.
- Writing. You never produce a character; the whole exam is multiple choice.
- Handwriting kanji. You need to recognise them, not write them.
Do you need to take it?
For most learners, no. N5 and N4 rarely carry weight for jobs or visas; employers generally look for N2 or N1. Their real value is as a structure: a defined, finite list of what to learn next, which is worth a great deal when a language feels boundless.
The test runs twice a year, in July and December, at sites worldwide including several cities in India. Registration opens roughly three months ahead and closes early.