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Japanese Test: Free and Answer Key

Assess your level in minutes with this Japanese test.

Multiple Choice Questions

Check the correct answers:

1. (病院で) A「先生、もう薬を飲まなくてもよいですか。」 B「いいえ、来週の月曜までは …。」

2. きのうはうちに …何をしましたか。

3. たまごのじょうずな作りかたを …読みました。

4. スーパーで買った …を見ると、何を買ったかわかります。

5. …しないで、どうかたくさんたべてください。

6. スミスさんはいつも …べんきょうしています。

7. 日本人の平均 …は、男性が79歳、女性が86歳である。

8. 弟はへや …そうじをしました。

9. これはわたしが米 …作ったパンです。

10. A「わたしのけしゴム、みませんでしたか。」 B「あ、つくえの下に …よ。」

11. …寝たので、気持ちがいい。

12. ここのパソコンは誰でも使えますが、コピーは …です。

13. この携帯電話はボタンが押しにくいという …を持つ利用者もいる。

14. A「時間ありますか。」 B「ええ、１時間 …ありますよ。」

15. 今度の試合に勝てる …一生けんめいがんばります。

16. 新しい商品を売るために、彼は毎日忙しく飛び …いる。

17. あの映画の最後は …場面として知られている。

18. 父が短気なのに …、母の方は気が長い。

FAQ – Japanese Level Test

Does this level test provide an official result?

No, this Japanese test is a free self-assessment tool. It does not replace an official certification and has no academic or professional value. Its purpose is to give you an indication of your current level and prepare you for official exam formats.

How can I test my Japanese level?

Several options are available to assess your Japanese level:

  • Online practice tests: like this one, free and without commitment
  • JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test): the official exam recognized worldwide
  • J-Test: alternative exam, available several times a year
  • NAT-TEST: similar to JLPT, organized more frequently
  • Assessment by a native teacher: for a personalized diagnosis

For a certification recognized by employers and universities, the JLPT remains the essential reference.

What is the JLPT in Japanese?

The JLPT (日本語能力試験 – Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken) is the official Japanese language proficiency exam. Created in 1984, it is administered by the Japan Foundation and internationally recognized by universities, companies, and governments.

JLPT characteristics:

  • Organized twice a year (July and December) in over 80 countries
  • 5 levels of increasing difficulty: N5, N4, N3, N2, N1
  • Assesses written and oral comprehension only (no speaking or writing production)
  • Lifetime certificate validity
  • Over 1 million candidates per year worldwide

How do you say N1, N2, N3, N4, N5 in Japanese?

The JLPT levels are pronounced in Japanese as follows:

  • N5: エヌご (Enu Go) – Beginner level
  • N4: エヌよん (Enu Yon) – Elementary level
  • N3: エヌさん (Enu San) – Lower intermediate level
  • N2: エヌに (Enu Ni) – Upper intermediate level
  • N1: エヌいち (Enu Ichi) – Advanced level

The “N” comes from “Nihongo” (日本語 – Japanese language) and the number indicates the level.

What is the cost of the JLPT test?

The cost of the JLPT varies by country and local organization:

  • In the United States: approximately $60-100 depending on level and location
  • In the United Kingdom: approximately £60-90
  • In Australia: approximately AUD 80-120
  • In Canada: approximately CAD 80-120
  • In Japan: approximately 5,500-7,000 yen

Registration fees are generally higher for upper levels (N1, N2). Check your country’s official website for exact fees and registration dates.

What is Japanese level N5?

Level N5 represents the beginner level of the JLPT. It’s the first step in your Japanese learning journey.

Skills required for N5:

  • Complete mastery of hiragana (46 characters) and katakana (46 characters)
  • Knowledge of approximately 100 basic kanji
  • Vocabulary of around 800 words
  • Elementary grammar (particles は, を, に, で, etc.)
  • Understanding simple sentences and slow conversations
  • Reading short texts with furigana

N5 roughly corresponds to A1-A2 level of the CEFR.

Is JLPT N3 difficult?

N3 marks a significant jump from N4 and represents a major challenge for many learners.

Why N3 is demanding:

  • 650 kanji to master (compared to 300 for N4)
  • 3,700 vocabulary words
  • Intermediate grammar with complex structures
  • Understanding natural conversations at normal speed
  • Reading authentic texts without furigana
  • Introduction to idiomatic expressions and keigo (polite language)

Success strategies:

  • Study 1 to 2 hours daily minimum for 8-12 months after N4
  • Practice with authentic resources (manga, anime with Japanese subtitles)
  • Memorize 5 to 10 new kanji per day
  • Train with practice exams
  • Join Japanese conversation groups

How long does it take to learn Japanese?

Japanese is classified by linguists as one of the most complex languages for English speakers. Here are realistic estimates:

  • N5: 150-300 hours of study (4-6 months part-time)
  • N4: 300-600 cumulative hours (6-12 additional months)
  • N3: 600-1,200 cumulative hours (1-2 additional years)
  • N2: 1,200-2,400 cumulative hours (2-3 additional years)
  • N1: 2,400-4,800 cumulative hours (4-7 years total)

Immersion in Japan can reduce these durations by 30 to 50%. Consistency matters more than intensity: 30 minutes daily is better than 5 hours on weekends.

Why is Japanese so difficult?

Japanese presents unique challenges that distinguish it from most European languages:

Main obstacles:

  • Three writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and 2,000+ kanji to learn
  • Kanji: Chinese characters with multiple possible readings
  • Inverted grammar: the verb is placed at the end of the sentence
  • Politeness levels: highly codified keigo (honorific language)
  • Grammatical particles: は, が, を, に, で, etc.
  • Counters: different depending on the object counted
  • Implicit context: much information left unsaid

Positive points:

  • Simple pronunciation (5 vowels, no tones)
  • Regular and logical conjugations
  • No grammatical gender
  • Worldwide supportive learner community
  • Abundant learning resources (anime, manga, J-pop)

Do I need to learn kanji to pass the JLPT?

Yes, absolutely! Kanji are essential from N5 level onwards and their mastery largely determines your success.

Number of kanji per level:

  • N5: ~100 kanji
  • N4: ~300 kanji (cumulative)
  • N3: ~650 kanji (cumulative)
  • N2: ~1,000 kanji (cumulative)
  • N1: ~2,000 kanji (cumulative)

Effective learning methods:

  • Learn by radicals (basic components)
  • Use visual mnemonics
  • Practice handwriting regularly
  • SRS applications (Anki, WaniKani)
  • Read in varied contexts

What is the difference between hiragana, katakana, and kanji?

Japanese uses three writing systems simultaneously, each with a specific role:

Hiragana (ひらがな):

  • 46 basic phonetic characters
  • Used for Japanese words, grammatical particles
  • First writing system to learn
  • Example: ありがとう (arigatou – thank you)

Katakana (カタカナ):

  • 46 phonetic characters (hiragana equivalents)
  • Used for foreign words, proper names, onomatopoeia
  • Second writing system to learn
  • Example: コーヒー (koohii – coffee)

Kanji (漢字):

  • Characters of Chinese origin, carrying meaning
  • 2,000+ characters for advanced level
  • Multiple possible readings
  • Example: 日本 (nihon/nippon – Japan)

Is the JLPT recognized by companies?

Yes, the JLPT enjoys worldwide recognition, particularly in Asia and among Japanese companies.

Professional utility of JLPT:

  • N2 minimum: required for most jobs in Japan
  • N1: highly recommended for qualified positions
  • Work visa: N2 facilitates obtaining a Japanese visa
  • Multinationals: Toyota, Sony, Nintendo value the JLPT
  • Translation/interpretation: N1 generally required

To study at a Japanese university, N2 is the minimum requirement, and N1 is preferred for competitive programs.

How can I progress effectively after this test?

Your learning journey requires a structured and multidimensional approach:

  • Hire a native teacher to correct your pronunciation and grammar
  • Practice the three writing systems daily (15-30 minutes)
  • Create a spaced repetition system for kanji and vocabulary
  • Consume authentic content adapted to your level
  • Participate in language exchanges with native speakers
  • Take practice exams regularly
  • Keep a journal in Japanese
  • Listen to Japanese podcasts during commutes

The key to success lies in consistency: studying 20 minutes every day is better than 3 hours once a week.

Why learn Japanese in 2025?

Beyond cultural fascination, Japanese offers concrete advantages:

  • 3rd largest economy: opportunities in tech, automotive, robotics
  • 125 million speakers mainly in Japan
  • Global pop culture: anime, manga, video games, J-pop
  • Technological innovation: access to advanced scientific publications
  • Gastronomy: understand authentic Japanese cuisine beyond sushi
  • Cultural heritage: temples, Zen gardens, martial arts, tea ceremony
  • Competitive advantage: few Westerners truly master Japanese

Ready to take the JLPT leap?

Assessing your level is good. Getting it officially certified is better! But to pass the JLPT, self-study alone is usually not enough. BreakIntoLingo provides you with qualified Japanese teachers who are thoroughly familiar with JLPT requirements and will adapt their teaching methods to your learning profile.

Our teachers support you on all aspects: kanji memorization with proven techniques, mastery of grammatical particles, oral comprehension with authentic materials, and even timed practice exam simulations.

Discover our personalized course of japanese packages and achieve the JLPT level you dream of!