Learning a new language is full of ups and downs. For a student of Japanese, failing the JLPT can feel like a punch to the gut– not great, and you’ll probably need a second to get back to it.
While upsetting, failing the JLPT should not stand in the way of you learning and enjoying Japanese.
Can you retake the JLPT for a better mark? Yes, absolutely. You can take the JLPT many times though most people tend to find three attempts either passing or failing does the trick.
There are reasons why you should and should not take the JLPT multiple times. While you certainly can take it frequently, it’s fair to ask why you would. Especially if you passed a level, there is generally not a reason to take it for a better score. Even if you fail a level, it might not be wisest to take that level again.
How Many Times Can You Retake JLPT?
The JLPT does not have a specific limit to the number of attempts each person can take. If you look on their website, you will find answers to all sorts of questions about the exam. There is no reported cap on the number of tries a test taker is allowed to sit the exam.
To prevent burn out, minimize stress, and keep language learning fun, however, you might find it useful to limit the number of times you sit the exam. Popular blogs and forum posts most frequently report students of Japanese taking the test roughly three times at the N1 level. Oftentimes this is because of at least one failed effort.
People take the test more than once at a level, and they can, because sometimes companies or schools require the employee/student to demonstrate that they have maintained their skill level over the years.
When You Should Retake the JLPT
There are a number of instances in which retaking the JLPT is useful.
- Your company/school requires it.
- You have improved significantly since you last took it and are looking to gauge what level you are at now.
- The last test was your first attempt, and you, now familiar with the format, have reason to believe you will do better this time.
These reasons are by no means mutually exclusive or the only reasons to retake the exam, they are simply the most common motivators. Why you choose to retake the exam will depend greatly on what you need it for, and your level compared to your last attempt.
1. Your Company or School Requires It
If you hope to study at a Japanese university or work for a Japanese company, there is a good chance you will need to take the JLPT. If you took it previously, your school/company might still require you to take it again as a result of the time that elapsed since your last test. This reason for retaking the test is amongst the most common.
Some scholarships are dependent on the score you receive in the JLPT. In that case, you will likely want to retake the exam for a specific score. Unless, however, you require a score above a certain level for such a specific reason, do not worry about how much you passed by. For most schools and companies, a pass is a pass. The test is hard enough to pass as it is; the exact level is rarely necessary.
2. You Improved Significantly Since Last Time
Taking the JLPT every year would be daunting. It’s a long and expensive process to prepare for each test, so unless you feel as though you really have gotten better, it’s probably best to wait and study for fun instead of to the test.
The timeline for how long to go between each test is dependent on how you studied and what level. For instance, if you took the N5 level but then participated in an immersion program or other intensive, you will likely find that taking the test again relatively quickly is perfectly fine and maybe even rewarding. As with any skill, however, the difference between higher levels can be slow going.
JLPT pass rates are low, as is. If you do not think that you have gained enough skills to confidently take the next level, do not force yourself to sit an exam. Instead, focus on expanding your skills and be ready to take it later down the road when you are feeling more confident.
4. The Last Test Was Your First Attempt
As with any test, the more familiar you are with the format and types of questions it asks, the easier it is.
If your last attempt was your first, you might find that the second effort is significantly easier as you now know what to expect. If you failed by a slim margin and have studied up since your first try, your chances of passing improve.
When You Shouldn’t Retake the JLPT
If you do not need to take the JLPT for employment or education reasons, you might consider whether you need to take it at all.
1. Your Japanese Is Rusty
While getting a passing score can boost your morale, failing can dissuade some from studying for long stints of time. Breaks, while they might help you approach the language with fresh enthusiasm, can make it hard to pick up where you left off.
Relearning things you swore you knew before can be its own brand of disheartening. If you feel your energy for the language flagging temporarily, you might want to wait until you are more motivated again to try testing.
2. When It Starts to Feel Like a Dreaded Exam
It is not wise to take the test so frequently that you feel as if you are studying for it. The JLPT is just a test; it is not a perfect reflection of one’s skills at a language. For one, there isn’t a speaking component. If you take the test so frequently that you gear your studying towards it, you will miss important aspects of communication.
Studying for a test instead of communicating can also drain the joy out of learning a language. When we set out to learn a new language, few dream of getting a perfect score on a test in that language. Instead, we learn languages to open new doors and enter conversations that were previously inaccessible to us.
Studying for a test can take you out of that mindset and into one of ranks and scores. While this motivation works for a while, it likely will not keep you studying Japanese as long. To prevent burnout, try to only take the JLPT if you feel like you have improved and need something to show for it.
What To Do If You Fail the JLPT
It’s okay to be upset about a failing grade on the JLPT. It might make you feel like you are alone and terrible at Japanese. This is not true. The JLPT is a test. It cannot capture your true abilities. The JLPT also has a low pass rate, so you certainly aren’t alone. Try to remember these facts if you feel disheartened.
After a failing grade, you might find that taking time away from studying Japanese but enjoying movies or music in Japanese helps you stay sharp without getting frustrated. Whatever tip or trick you devise for getting back in the saddle is perfect.
Whatever you do, don’t let a failing score on the JLPT dissuade you from learning Japanese. You can take the JLPT as many times as you need to get the pass you want.