Language learners around the world often agree that Japanese is one of the hardest languages to learn for non-natives. With its unique tie to Japanese culture, its vocabulary, grammar, and general sentence structure offer difficult challenges for first-time speakers. Even the tone at which it is spoken matters depending on who you’re talking too. But for those brave enough to tackle the challenge, the first step in testing their knowledge is often JLPT N5!
How do you tell if you are ready for JLPT N5? From official sample test questions and short quizzes to mock exams based on the real deal, there is a way for everyone to determine their readiness.
Keep in mind, while these methods are designed to emulate the real test as closely as possible, there are factors to consider that make these methods differ from the actual test. Here are those factors:
- Number of test questions for each section
- Testing environment conditions
- Scoring methods
Preparing for JLPT N5
JLPT N5 is the easiest level of JLPT, and it is only held twice a year: once in July and once in December. While it will not land you any benefits in Japan, or even test Japanese-language fluency on an advanced level, it is a perfect test for those getting started. Applying is going to run you $60, so you do not want to show up unprepared.
What Do You Need to Know to Be Ready?
JLPT N5 covers the absolute basics of the Japanese language. It tests Japanese reading, with questions covering a range of standard expressions written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji. It also benchmarks Japanese listening, testing one’s ability to listen to and comprehend conversations regarding topics that are regularly encountered in day-to-day life and classroom situations. It also examines the ability to pick up necessary information from short conversations that are spoken slowly.
To be ready for JLPT N5, an individual must have about 103 kanji committed to retainable knowledge and contain a vocabulary of about 800 words. They also need to be able to organize it into about 40 various grammar rules. It is generally recommended that you’ve committed about 100 hours of study to the subject before attempting the test, though this figure varies from person to person.
Typically, it is assumed that those 100 hours of study are spent in a classroom, but with the magic that is the world wide web, individuals have been known to spend that study time on their own using self-picked resources. Whichever way you choose to study, it will not mean a whole lot unless you practice taking the test itself!
How to Test Your Readiness for JLPT N5?
As stated above, JLPT only happens twice a year. It is one thing to spend all the time leading up to the test studying, but you will want to be prepared. There are a few practice test methods that you can pick from, and they all have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
What are the different ways you can practice for JLPT N5? Here are the various resources that you can use for practice:
- Official Sample Tests or Quizzes: These sample tests are provided by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services and are available for all levels, including the N5.
- Old Released Tests: In some cases, Japan Educations Exchanges and Services releases old versions of JLPT for people to practice on.
- Mock Tests: This is the favored option, as there are numerous versions of mock tests you can take. They are continually being updated, and often reflect current JLPT standards.
You do not want to get stuck on a particular section during the big test day. Practicing for JLPT can help you anticipate what to expect. It is good to be well versed in the material covered in a test, but test-taking itself can be an entirely different subject on its own. The restof this article will be dedicated to methods and resources available to you that you can try right now, wherever you’re at.
Take These Sample Tests & Quizzes
What better way to see if you are ready for JLPT N5 than to take an official sample test that covers the material you will find in the real thing? The great people at JLPT Bootcamp made a sample test that you can take right now. Follow this link to check it out. It covers everything from grammar to vocabulary and even has audio samples.
The sample test will put you on a path to understanding what the real JLPT will be like, but it is not exactly the same. While it covers all of the same sections as the actual test, this sample test is much shorter. It does not have the same amount of questions as JLPT N5, and you will go through it much faster. Since the real JLPT N5 is timed, you’ll want to set a time standard when taking the sample test. The following table shows a comparison between the two tests to help you determine how much time to spend on each section:
| Test Type | Language Knowledge | Grammar / Reading | Listening |
| Sample Test | 6 minutes | 27 minutes | About 5 minutes |
| Real Test | 25 minutes | 50 Minutes | 30 Minutes |
As you can see, the timing between the two shows a significant difference. The sample test is concise. It should take you less than 45 minutes to get through, but for those that are eager to check their knowledge in a fast and reliable way, then this is the method for you.
A very interesting thing about JLPT Bootcamp is that you have the option to make an account and keep track of your progress as your knowledge improves. It even comes with a built-in stopwatch feature that helps emulate the timing conditions of the real test. Check it out here.
That’s not the only sample test you can take. Japan Educational Exchanges and Services have a page on their official site where you can answer sample questions for all levels of JLPT, including N5. You can check it out here. This sample test is also very brief, containing only 14 problems. Those questions include four audio sample questions at the end.
Official Old Tests
What can be better than studying an old version of JLPT N5 in order to practice for the real thing? Believe it or not, Japanese Educational Exchanges and Services have made official workbooks for each difficulty level of JLPT; this might be as close as you can get to the real thing, and the best part is that they’re free!
Before you get too excited, though: it is worth mentioning that the tests in these workbooks contain a mixed assortment of old tests from 2010 and 2011. Since the format of JLPT slightly changes from year to year, this isn’t a cause for concern, as it should still prepare you for the real thing.
Another thing to consider is that the exact number of questions from section to section may vary. Japanese Educational Exchange and Services may have had it available to download from their website at one point, but upon checking the link, it was dead. Luckily, the nice people at JLPT Bootcamp preserved it and added some handy study notes to help you get a better score. Check it out here.
You have the option to download the entire workbook in one giant swoop, or you have the opportunity to divide it into sections. It has been organized so that no matter what your learning style is, you do not have to worry about the technicalities of computer file organization. All you need to do is pick your download and get to testing your JLPT N5 knowledge!
Take These Paid Mock Tests
Here we go. We have reached the section of the article that most newcomers might skip because it contains workbooks available for purchase. There’s no need to spend money if there are plenty of free resources at your disposal. But what about the avid learners who have exhausted those options, and memorized the answer keys?
There is an advantage to checking out the workbooks we are about to share with you. Most of the above free resources have been taken from material off of old versions of JLPT N5. There are a lot of very good workbooks you can check out that are up to the current JLPT N5 standards. On top of that, they offer numerous learning advantages to refine your skill. If you want to refine your test-taking skills further and feel entirely prepared for JLPT N5, then the following workbooks will probably appeal to you.
JLPT N5 Official Practice Workbooks Bundle
This handy set contains “JLPT N5 Official Practice Workbook,” and “Tanki Master Fast-Track JLPT N5 Cramming Practice Exercises. Something you should know about it is that the official practice workbook is actually the paper version of the free download I mentioned above. It is an excellent resource for those who like working out of books. JLPT N5 Official Practice Workbook contains the following resources:
- Vocabulary and Kanji: There are 33 vocabulary and kanji questions. It will have you doing things like finding the right kanji, matching kanji to the correct reading, and matching and combining sentences based on the vocabulary and meaning used. You can complete it in about 25 minutes.
- Grammar and Reading: There are 26 grammar questions, and 6 reading questions, making a total of 32 for this section. Problems have you finding the correct particles and word orders in each sentence presented. You’ll need to understand texts and be able to answer questions about them. This section can be completed in 50 minutes.
- Listening: This section has 19 questions that you answer by listening to the included CD and looking at pictures. It is designed to be completed in 30 minutes.
As we mentioned above, this mock test was created using various pieces from the 2010 and 2011 JLPT N5. It is meant strictly for taking the mock quiz, and not recommended if you do not yet know the vocabulary, kanji, and grammar covered in the test. The other workbook in this set is Tanki Master JLPT N5. It is structured in the following way:
- Practice Questions: Matching the JLPT N5 style, you find practice questions covering vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening.
- Practice Test: You’ll have the chance to test yourself under similar JLPT conditions. Keep in mind that this test is about half the length of the real JLPT N5, and you’ll want to adjust your time limit accordingly.
You can check this set out here.
Intro to JLPT N5 Practice Test
This is an excellent resource for those who have never taken JLPT N5, and desire to take multiple practice tests before the big day. It is split into two primary sections. In the first half, you’re going to find many practice questions and translations. In addition to this, there are study methods and advice on how to solve similar types of problems.
The second half of the book is the main event. There are three full mock test exams. The authors studied a lot of old versions of JLPT N5 before making the mock tests, so it emulates what you’ll find on the real test very closely. At the end of the book, you’ll find answers and explanations of the answers to help your gauge your knowledge. You can find the book here.
JLPT N5 Official Practice Workbook (Volume 2)
This is Volume 2 of the first entry on the list. It is made from test data collected from the 2018 JLPT N5, so it reflects a more current version of the test than its Volume 1 counterpart. It is best to check it out only after you have learned the kanji, vocabulary, and grammar covered in JLPT N5 because it is structured like the real test. It even matches the same timeframes you will have in each section of the actual test. Here are what the mock test covers:
- Vocabulary and Kanji: There are 33 vocabulary and kanji questions. The structure of each item matches that of the Volume 1 counterpart, though its presentation reflects the 2018 JLPT N5. It is designed to be completed in 25 minutes.
- Grammar and Reading: Once again, there are 26 grammar questions, and six reading questions. They test you the same way as the Volume 1 counterpart and is meant to be completed in 50 minutes.
- Listening: using pictures and audio from the provided CD, you’ll answer 19 listening questions. This section is to be completed in 30 minutes.
JLPT N5 Mock Test (Revised Edition)
This is another dedicated mock test workbook, useful for anyone with their sights set on JLPT N5. It covers every aspect that you’ll find on the test and includes answer keys to help you check your knowledge. Also included are tips to help you answer each question in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. You can find the workbook here.
Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 – Complete Mock Exams
This workbook has everything you need to prepare for JLPT N5. It is divided into two parts. The first part is an appendix containing three separate mock exams and their corresponding answers. The second, central part explains each answer thoroughly. This one will help you understand the content by organizing essential information like vocabulary, phrases, and sentence patterns that may appear on the real exam.
This book also goes as far as to ensure proper coverage of vocabulary, phrases, and expressions that will all appear in JLPT N5. It also has three separate simulation tests to familiarize readers with the format of the test, as well as a variety of questions, and offers tips on time management. The workbook also comes with three CDs (one for every mock exam) that emulate the listening part of JLPT N5. To check this handy book out, follow this link.
Conclusion
Athletes know their game well, but none of them get to the big game day without having plenty of practice. Test-taking is no different. JLPT N5 only happens twice a year, and you do not want your 100+ hours of study to go to waste by neglecting to learn how to take the test when the big day comes effectively. You’ve heard the saying, practice makes perfect, and that old wisdom certainly applies here.
You have plenty of options to choose from. Whether it is a practice quiz, an old version of the test, or a mock exam, you have a way to prepare for success. As we have seen, all methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Just make sure you know how the method you choose differs from the real test and emulate the conditions of JLPT N5 as close as you can. If this is your year to take JLPT N5, then we hope that the resources discussed in this article can help you, and we wish you the best of luck!