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JLPT N4: passing score, test sections and what it counts for
N4 is the second-easiest of the five levels of the JLPT (日本語能力試験, Japanese-Language Proficiency Test). N4 means basic Japanese, and jlpt.jp says N4 and N5 measure basic Japanese mainly learned in class.
On this page
What JLPT N4 tests
- N4 reading: familiar daily topics in basic vocabulary and kanji.
- N4 listening: daily conversations if spoken slowly.
- The summary is written as reading and listening activities; vocabulary and grammar are required too but not listed.
- Every question is multiple choice, on a computer-scored answer sheet. There is no speaking or writing test. Most questions have four choices; some listening questions have three.
- No question requires specific knowledge of Japanese culture.
Sources: jlpt.jp: summary of each level, jlpt.jp: FAQ
JLPT N4 passing score
You pass N4 with 90 or more out of 180 in total, at least 38 out of 120 in vocabulary, grammar and reading together, and at least 19 out of 60 in listening.
| Level | Scoring sections | Total to pass | Minimum in each section | CEFR on the score report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N4 | Vocabulary, grammar and reading (0 to 120); Listening (0 to 60) | 90 of 180 | 38 of 120; 19 of 60 | A2 |
A score below either minimum is a fail, however high your total. If you miss a section you fail and the score report shows asterisks instead of any section scores. Scores are scaled, so you cannot work out your score by counting correct answers. These pass marks have applied since the July 2010 test (December 2010 for N4 and N5). A pass of 90 or more is shown as CEFR A2 on the score report, and only people who pass see a level. Everyone gets a score report; people who pass also get a certificate.
Sources: jlpt.jp: scoring and pass marks, jlpt.jp: FAQ, jlpt.jp: CEFR level on score reports
JLPT N4 test sections and times
In Japan, N3, N4 and N5 are afternoon tests: the room opens from 14:30 to 15:10 and the test starts at 15:10. December 2026 N4: Vocabulary 15:10-15:55, Grammar and Reading 16:15-17:25, Listening 17:55-18:45.
| Level | Session in Japan | Parts and minutes | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| N4 | Afternoon | Vocabulary: 25 min; Grammar and reading: 55 min; Listening: 35 min | 115 min |
Section hours include instruction time, not just answering, so the minutes above are answer time and each block on the clock is longer. Late for the first section means you cannot take it; later sections are not scored and you cannot pass. What to bring and the rules: test day guide.
Sources: JEES: December 2026 test guide, JEES: December 2026 test-day guide (PDF), jlpt.jp: test sections and times
What each JLPT N4 section asks
N4 and N5 have two scoring sections: Language Knowledge and Reading combined (0-120) and Listening (0-60). Vocabulary, grammar and reading share one 120-point scoring section, so strength in one can make up for weakness in another inside it. Listening has its own minimum.
| Timed part | Question types (from jlpt.jp) |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary, 25 minutes | N4 vocabulary questions come in five types: kanji reading, orthography, contextually-defined expressions, paraphrases and usage. |
| Grammar and reading, 55 minutes | N4 grammar questions come in three types: sentential grammar 1 (selecting the grammar form), sentential grammar 2 (sentence composition) and text grammar. N4 reading questions are comprehension of short and mid-size passages, and information retrieval. |
| Listening, 35 minutes | N4 listening questions are task-based comprehension, comprehension of key points, verbal expressions and quick response. |
N4 and N5 have the same question types except usage in vocabulary, which N4 has and N5 does not. N4 has no reading comprehension of long passages and no listening comprehension of the general outline; both appear at N3. To see real questions, use practice tests and sample questions.
Sources: jlpt.jp: scoring and pass marks, jlpt.jp: test sections and times
JLPT N4 pass rate
These are the numbers jlpt.jp published for the December 2025 test in Japan.
| Level | Applied | Sat the test | Passed | Passed, Dec 2025 (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N4 | 94,656 | 87,608 | 29,441 | 33.6% |
'Examinees' includes people who sat only some sections, so the pass rate is lower than pass share among people who sat the full test. All levels together passed at 33.5% in Japan in July 2025 and 27.6% in December 2025, so treat one test's N4 rate as a snapshot.
Sources: jlpt.jp: test data by test (1), jlpt.jp: test data by test (2), jlpt.jp: test data by test (3)
JLPT N4 for Specified Skilled Worker (i)
Specified Skilled Worker (i), written SSW (i) below, is a residence status for work. For most SSW (i) fields the Japanese requirement is JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher. ISA's July 17, 2026 English document says the same.
| Situation | What ISA says |
|---|---|
| Most fields | JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher. |
| Taxi, bus and railway work | Taxi and bus drivers (automobile transport) and railway operations staff moved from JLPT N3 to B1-equivalent. B1 is checked for certificate applications from April 1, 2027. See JLPT N3. |
| Nursing care | Nursing care needs the JFT-Basic, JLPT N4 or A2-equivalent plus passing the Care Japanese Evaluation Test (介護日本語評価試験), with exceptions for care-worker school graduates and EPA candidates who completed four years. |
| You finished Technical Intern Training (ii) | People who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) satisfactorily are normally exempt from the Japanese test (N4 level), except nursing care's separate exam and N3-level fields. |
| Any other test (J.TEST, NAT-TEST, JPT, BJT, TOPJ) | As of December 1, 2025 ISA says no Japanese test other than the JFT-Basic and JLPT has been recognized as A2 or B1 equivalent for SSW (i), so tests such as J.TEST, NAT-TEST, JPT, BJT and TOPJ do not count. |
| Moving from Employment for Skill Development | To move to SSW(i): trade skill test grade 3 or SSW(i) evaluation test plus A2.2-or-higher Japanese test (JFT-Basic, JLPT N4, etc.). For voluntary employer change, JFT-Basic A2.1 is shown, set per field between A1 and the SSW(i) level, plus a basic-grade skills test. |
ISA notice of October 5, 2026: the December 2026 JLPT closed for all levels. Applicants who planned to use N4 can instead pass the JFT-Basic at A2.2. Next table: the two tests side by side.
Sources: Immigration Services Agency (PDF) (1), Immigration Services Agency, Immigration Services Agency: Specified Skilled Worker Q&A, Immigration Services Agency (PDF) (2), Immigration Services Agency (PDF) (3), Immigration Services Agency (PDF) (4)
JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic?
ISA names both tests for most SSW (i) fields. They differ in timing, price and who can sit them.
| Compare | JLPT N4 | JFT-Basic |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Twice a year, in July and December. | Held every month as a rule, in Japan and overseas. |
| Fee in Japan | Test fee in Japan: ¥7,500, tax included (2026 tests). | 10,000 yen. The booking page does not say whether tax is included. |
| Result | December 2026 results: in MyJLPT from late January 2027, by mail in late February 2027. | Total score and level show on screen when the test ends. |
| Format | Multiple choice on a paper answer sheet. | A computer-based test at a test center, about 50 questions in 60 minutes. |
| Who can sit it in Japan | In 2026, only people with a residence card. | You need a Japanese residence status, and a short stay is also allowed. |
| Level reported | A pass at 90 or more shows A2. | Scaled score 10 to 250. 145-174 = A1, 175-199 = A2.1, 200-250 = A2.2 (A2). Below 145 shows no level. No minimum per section. |
| Retaking | You can apply for December after seeing July results, but the December fee is not refunded if you passed in July. | You can retake only if your total was 199 or lower, with a 45-day gap. Anyone at 200 or higher cannot retake. |
| Where ISA accepts it | Many statuses, from language school (N5) to Highly Skilled Professional points (N1 and N2). | The JFT-Basic is not used for status-of-residence applications other than SSW (i), Employment for Skill Development and Student (language school). |
The owner compares itself with the JLPT but does not publish a score-for-score equivalence. It says the JLPT runs twice a year with paper answer sheets and results about two months later; the JFT-Basic runs monthly with results the same day. More on the JFT-Basic and other tests: other Japanese tests.
Sources: Immigration Services Agency (PDF), jlpt.jp: FAQ, Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic, JEES: December 2026 test guide, Prometric: JFT-Basic booking (1), Japan Foundation: about the JFT-Basic, JEES: applying in MyJLPT, Prometric: JFT-Basic booking (2), jlpt.jp: CEFR level on score reports, JEES FAQ: applying, Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic FAQ, Immigration Services Agency, jlpt.jp: what the JLPT is used for
What JLPT N4 is enough for
N4 clears the language rule in the first three rows below, falls short in the next three, and is not a pass line for permanent residence.
| What you want | Is N4 enough? | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| Specified Skilled Worker (i), most fields | Yes | See the table above. |
| Japanese language school (Student status) | Yes, and N5 is enough | ISA lists JLPT N5 or higher for language-school entry. |
| EPA nurse or caregiver candidate from Indonesia | Yes at entry | Indonesian candidates are expected at about N4 or higher at entry and about N3 when work starts, after six months of pre-arrival training. For the Philippines the sources differ, and JICWELS marks it under adjustment. |
| University or vocational college | No | ISA expects B2 or above from FY2027 entrants, and through FY2029 entrants it accepts a JLPT N2 pass, among other tests, as a guide. It tells language-school applicants that going on to a university or vocational college needs B2 or above. |
| Highly Skilled Professional points | No points | N1 earns 15 and N2 earns 10 points under Japan's points system for highly skilled professionals; 70 points qualifies for preferential immigration treatment. |
| Business Manager status | No | The applicant or one full-time employee needs B2-level Japanese: JLPT N2 or higher, BJT 400 or more, or other proof such as 20 or more years of residence or a Japanese degree. |
| Permanent residence | Not a pass line | B1 or higher Japanese becomes a consideration factor for applications from April 1, 2027. N4 shows A2 only. |
The JLPT certificate never expires, though employers and schools can set their own time limits. Every route with its sources: JLPT for visas and work.
Sources: Immigration Services Agency (PDF), Immigration Services Agency (1), JICWELS: 2027 EPA intake (PDF), jlpt.jp: what the JLPT is used for, Immigration Services Agency (2), Immigration Services Agency (3), Immigration Services Agency (4), jlpt.jp: CEFR level on score reports, jlpt.jp: FAQ
How long does it take to reach N4?
No source gives a personal forecast, and each figure below counts something different.
| Source | What it measures | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JLPT, old four-level test (before 2010) | Normal study time for old Level 3, whose pass line now matches N4. | About 300 classroom hours, after an elementary course. |
| Minna no Nihongo Shokyu I and II (3A Corporation) | The publisher says Shokyu I equals N5 and Shokyu II equals N4. | About 150 hours each, a publisher estimate. |
| Genki I and II (Japan Times Publishing) | The publisher says Vol. 1 reaches N5 and Vol. 2 raises ability to N4. | About 200 hours for both volumes, a publisher estimate. |
| Marugoto (Japan Foundation) | Coursebooks by CEFR level. The Japan Foundation does not say how they map to JLPT levels. | Starter (A1): 30 to 40 hours for one book and 40 for its companion. Elementary (A2): 40 to 60 hours per coursebook. |
An N4 pass shows as A2, so the Marugoto Starter and Elementary rows are the nearest match, in our reading. All of these are classroom hours. Even the US State Department says the time for its own Japanese course varies with natural ability, prior experience and classroom time. At 5 hours a week, 300 hours is 60 weeks; at 10 hours a week it is 30 (our arithmetic). Plans, books and apps: study guide.
Sources: jlpt.jp: FAQ, jlpt.jp: old four-level test criteria (PDF), 3A: Minna no Nihongo Shokyu I, 3A: Minna no Nihongo Shokyu II, Japan Times: GENKI I, Japan Times: GENKI II, Japan Foundation: Marugoto course details, jlpt.jp: CEFR level on score reports, US State Department: Foreign Service Institute language training
How many kanji and words for N4?
JLPT publishes no official vocabulary, kanji or grammar list, so word and kanji counts you see online are estimates. Since 2010 the "Test Content Specifications" with vocabulary, kanji and grammar lists are no longer published. These are the figures that circulate, with whose they are.
| What | Figure | Whose figure |
|---|---|---|
| Kanji | About 300 | The JLPT's old four-level criteria for old Level 3, whose pass line now matches N4. |
| Kanji | 278 kanji, 186 of them for writing practice | 3A Corporation, about its own N4 kanji book (publisher says). |
| Words | About 1,500 | The JLPT's old four-level criteria for old Level 3. |
| Words | 1,000 words | 3A Corporation, about its own N4 word book (publisher says). |
The same publisher calls 300 the number of kanji N4 needs in the description of its N3 kanji book, while its N4 kanji book teaches 278. That gap is why no single number is safe.
Sources: jlpt.jp: FAQ (1), jlpt.jp: old four-level test criteria (PDF), jlpt.jp: FAQ (2), 3A Corporation: book page (publisher) (1), 3A Corporation: book page (publisher) (2), 3A Corporation: book page (publisher) (3)
JLPT N4 reading practice, questions and books
Exact past papers are not published; the workbooks use questions chosen from past tests. The workbooks are free to download, so start there.
- Official Practice Workbook: Each workbook has roughly the number of questions in a real test, chosen from tests since the 2010 revision. jlpt.jp offers the N4 questions, answers, listening scripts and listening audio as free downloads. There are two Official Practice Workbooks per level: one published in 2012 and Vol. 2 in 2018.
- Printed copy: N4 workbook (2012): 93 pages, ISBN 978-4-89358-820-3; Vol. 2: 94 pages, ISBN 978-4-89358-939-2. Each workbook costs 700 yen plus tax; every volume comes with a CD; publisher Bonjinsha.
- Sample questions: jlpt.jp has one example for each question type at each level.
- Reading: N4 reading has short and mid-size passages and information retrieval. Start with the workbook's reading questions, then see reading practice for graded readers and other free material.
- Listening: the free workbook has audio for each listening question type.
- Books, as the publishers describe them (we have not tested them): 3A Corporation equates Minna no Nihongo Shokyu II to N4, and Japan Times Publishing says Genki Vol. 2 raises ability to N4. Those are course books. For test practice, ASK Publishing says its Nihongo So-matome series is an 8-week course of 2 pages a day with JLPT-style questions. That series has N4 books with audio.
More on workbooks and sample questions: practice tests.
Sources: jlpt.jp: FAQ, jlpt.jp: Official Practice Workbook downloads, jlpt.jp: official books, jlpt.jp: sample questions, jlpt.jp: test sections and times, 3A: Minna no Nihongo Shokyu II, Japan Times: GENKI II, ASK Publishing: So-matome N2 Kanji, ASK Publishing: So-matome series
A teacher for the parts you get wrong
The workbook and sample questions above are free. A teacher is the paid option.
italki
- One-to-one lessons by video with a teacher you choose
- Up to 3 trial lessons, one per teacher
- Pay per lesson, no subscription needed
- Fits you if you want a teacher to go through the N4 grammar and reading questions you get wrong, one to one.
- Not for you if you only want practice questions: the free workbook has them. Lessons help you learn the language, and the JLPT has no speaking section to rehearse.
Find a Japanese teacher for JLPT N4 on italki
Opens italki's site (Japanese; English version too)
Sources: jlpt.jp: Official Practice Workbook downloads, jlpt.jp: FAQ
JLPT N4 test date and how to apply
- The next test in Japan is Sunday 6 December 2026. Applications for it closed on 3 September 2026, four days before the 7 September deadline. As of 5 October 2026 no 2027 test date, application window, fee or eligibility rule for Japan is published on info.jees-jlpt.jp or jlpt.jp. The home page lists only the two 2026 tests.
- N4 sells out early. In the July 2026 round, N4 closed on 25 March and N3 at 9:00 on 27 March, about 8 to 10 days after applications opened on 17 March and about 11 days before the 7 April deadline. JEES says early closing is because test sites are hard to secure, and it applies to every 2026 test. Apply on the first day the window opens.
- Test fee in Japan: ¥7,500, tax included (2026 tests). 2026 tests in Japan are for non-native speakers who are mid- to long-term residents or special permanent residents. People without a residence card, such as tourists, cannot take the 2026 test in Japan.
- If you need a result for Specified Skilled Worker (i) before the next JLPT, the JFT-Basic is held every month.
Step by step: how to register and apply. After the test: results and scoring.
Sources: jlpt.jp: test sections and times, JEES: home page (1), JEES: home page (2), JEES: notice, JEES: December 2026 test guide, JEES: applying in MyJLPT, Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic
N4 next to the other levels
Each level is its own paper, and you apply for one level per test.
| Level | What it means (jlpt.jp) | CEFR on the score report | Pass mark | Answer time | Passed, Dec 2025 (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | The ability to understand some basic Japanese | A1 | 80 / 180 | 90 min | 53.5% |
| N4 | Basic Japanese | A2 | 90 / 180 | 115 min | 33.6% |
| N3 | Everyday Japanese to a certain degree | A2 (B1 from 104) | 95 / 180 | 140 min | 26.2% |
| N2 | Everyday Japanese plus a variety of circumstances to a certain degree | B1 (B2 from 112) | 90 / 180 | 155 min | 25.4% |
| N1 | Understanding Japanese used in a variety of circumstances | B2 (C1 from 142) | 100 / 180 | 165 min | 24.0% |
N4 and N2 share the 90-point pass mark. Each level has its own paper, so compare levels by their descriptions. The level below is JLPT N5 and the level above is JLPT N3.
Sources: jlpt.jp: FAQ, JEES FAQ: applying, jlpt.jp: scoring and pass marks, jlpt.jp: test sections and times, jlpt.jp: summary of each level, jlpt.jp: CEFR level on score reports, jlpt.jp: test data by test
JLPT questions
What is the JLPT N4 passing score?
N4 pass mark 90 of 180, with at least 38 of 120 in Language Knowledge and Reading and 19 of 60 in Listening. A score below either minimum fails you however high the total.
Is JLPT N4 enough for Specified Skilled Worker (i)?
For most fields, yes: ISA names JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher. Taxi, bus and railway work needs N3 for now, and nursing care adds a separate test.
Can I use the JFT-Basic instead of JLPT N4?
For Specified Skilled Worker (i), yes. ISA names both tests. The JFT-Basic is held every month and shows your result when the test ends. The JFT-Basic is not used for status-of-residence applications other than SSW (i), Employment for Skill Development and Student (language school).
How long does it take to study for JLPT N4?
The JLPT's old test put its Level 3, whose pass line now matches N4, at about 300 classroom hours after an elementary course. Publishers give about 150 hours for Minna no Nihongo Shokyu II and about 200 for Genki I and II together. These count different things, so none is a forecast for you.
Where can I practice JLPT N4 reading?
Start with the free Official Practice Workbook on jlpt.jp. N4 reading has short and mid-size passages and information retrieval. More free material: JLPT reading practice.
Are JLPT N4 past papers and questions available?
Exact past papers are not published; the workbooks use questions chosen from past tests. Each workbook has roughly the number of questions in a real test, chosen from tests since the 2010 revision. See JLPT practice tests.
How many kanji and words do I need for JLPT N4?
JLPT publishes no official vocabulary, kanji or grammar list, so word and kanji counts you see online are estimates. 3A Corporation's N4 kanji book teaches 278 kanji and its N4 word book records 1,000 words. Those are publisher figures.
When is the next JLPT N4 test?
The next test in Japan is Sunday 6 December 2026, and applications for it have closed. As of 5 October 2026 no 2027 test date, application window, fee or eligibility rule for Japan is published on info.jees-jlpt.jp or jlpt.jp. The home page lists only the two 2026 tests. See JLPT registration.
How we checked
Every fact on this page links to the page it was read from, and our data keeps the quote. We read jlpt.jp (the official JLPT site), the JEES site (the organization that runs the test in Japan), Immigration Services Agency pages, the Japan Foundation's JFT-Basic pages and the publishers' own book pages on October 5, 2026. Book descriptions are the publishers' claims, and we have not tested the books. We do not run the test and are not affiliated with it.
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