JLPT N3: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

Krisada Hemsoe

The JLPT N3 is the Japanese proficiency test that measures your linguistic proficiency at a level somewhere between basic knowledge and complex fluency. If you are looking to take your JLPT N3, you will find yourself with a test falling somewhere in between these two proficiency extremes. As such, it can be a challenging test for which to prepare.

This Comprehensive Guide of the JLPT N3 For Students will include answers for the following commonly asked questions:

The JLPT N3 falls comfortably between the easier tests of the N5 and N4 and the much harder tests of the N2 and N1. It can be generally considered an assessment of intermediate-level Japanese proficiency. This guide has been assembled to help advise anyone looking to take the JLPT N3 so they can prepare accordingly.

A Quick Overview of the N3

The N3 level was initiated in 2009 and can be thought of as falling somewhere in between the original level 2 and 3 proficiency examinations. The N3 was introduced to address previous issues with the difficulty gap between the level 3 and level 2 exams. As such, it is a test that requires an increased level of Japanese proficiency but with more reasonable expectations in regard to skill than previous formats.

Taking the N3 can be stressful, but the strain can be lessened by approaching the test with an informed understanding of what it tests and knowing what to study and how to allocate your time. If you want to have the best chance of passing the N3, read on below to find our general guide of tips and strategies to help you perform your best and answers to frequent questions.

What Do You Need to Know for JLPT N3?

If you are preparing to take the JLPT N3, you have probably already taken the JLPT N4 and JLPT N5. These two preliminary tests assess your ability to understand basic Japanese. The N3 thus takes things a step further and requires slightly more nuanced knowledge of the language. You will be expected to understand Japanese that is used in everyday situations.

According to the Official Worldwide Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Website, you will be tested on both your reading and listening capabilities. For reading, you will need to be able to:

  • Read and comprehend passages concerning basic, everyday topics
  • Summarize information from reading material like a newspaper headline
  • Read more complex writing and comprehend the general topic of the writing, especially if given alternative phrases to increase understanding

For the listening component, you will need to be able to:

  • Listen to a conversation delivered in a clear, near-natural delivery about everyday situations
  • Listen to a coherent conversation and be able to understand the relationships of the speakers

As far as grammar, the N3 tends to feature more conjunctions and a slightly more advanced understanding of grammar than N4 and N5 tests. Some websites like this one offer downloadable grammar lists to help study, but there is no clear set of grammatical rules for the N3 so most study lists are nothing more than educated guesses of what may appear.

The N3 is essentially a transition point in your Japanese language learning. It represents the midway point, where you should be able to understand at least half of the conversations you encounter, but you may still find yourself struggling with a lot of unknowns.

What Kanji Do I Need to Know for JLPT N3?

For the N5 and N4 you are tested on 300 kanji, and the N3 builds upon this and expects you to know an additional 350 kanji. So, you will need to know approximately 650 kanji for the N3.

While there is no definitive answer for what kanji will be on the N3 test, there are some helpful suggestions when it comes to studying. The Ministry of Education in Japan arranges a list of 1026 kanji into six grade levels. These levels are taught during first grade through sixth grade to Japanese elementary school students. This list often serves as a good guide for what kanji are used most frequently.

Most study guides agree that the N3 tends to test over the first four levels of kanji in this system. If you want to know the exact kanji for each level, there is a fairly comprehensive guide available here. The first four levels amount to 648 kanji, which is similar to the amount of kanji on N3. It is therefore a good idea to study these levels in order to prepare for the test.

In addition, you can benefit from looking at higher grade level kanji in order to achieve a better understanding as well as prepare yourself for subsequently taking the N2. However, if you are stressed for time and wanting to drill the most useful kanji, focus on levels one through four.

What Vocabulary Is on JLPT N3?

For the N3, you should expect to need to recognize about 3500 words. The vocabulary section of the test is 30 minutes long and will test your vocabulary in several ways. According to the Official Worldwide Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Website, on the N3 your vocabulary will be tested by:

  • Reading words written in kanji
  • Reading words in hiragana and using kanji
  • Determining word meaning through contextual clues
  • Distinguishing between words and expressions with similar meanings
  • Using words in sentences

The exact vocabulary required for the N3 is ever-changing, and as such there is no solid guideline as far as what you should study. However, there are some available guides that offer solid vocabulary backgrounds that can give you a good knowledge base.

There are some official practice books available for each testing level, as well as sample questions available on the Official Worldwide Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Website. For N3 vocabulary, specifically, there are books like Nihongo So-matome’s guide which offer vocabulary study lessons broken into a six-week study course.

These guides are not guaranteed to teach you all of the vocabulary that will be found on the N3, but they can give you a firm handle of essential vocab that you can use in addition to other study materials.

What Level of Grammar and Reading Comprehension Do I Need for JLPT N3?

When advancing to take the JLPT N3, you are expected to know basic grammar and syntax at a level that is more complex than what was tested in N4 and N5. According to the Official Worldwide Japanese-Language Proficiency Test website, you will need to have a working knowledge that can apply to several testable elements.

You will need to be able to execute and recognize sentence composition that makes sense but is also syntactically accurate. The N3 will test your ability to judge what grammar format works best for particular sentences. It will also make certain you are able to choose sentences with a good textual flow.

For reading comprehension, you will be tested over passages of varying lengths.

  • Passages of approximately 150-200 characters will test your understanding of content, and will usually be descriptions and directions about daily life and work
  • Slightly longer passages of around 350 characters will test understanding of vocabulary and causal relations
  • Long passages of approximately 550 characters, in the form of essays, letters, and dialogue, will test your ability to summarize and develop logical conclusions from reading text

In addition to these passages, you will be tested on your ability to scan materials of approximately 600 characters, usually in the form of brochures or advertisements, and pick out needed information. You can study for this by testing your understanding of actual Japanese print advertisements and flyers.

In summary, the N3 expects you to have an intermediate level of grammar knowledge and reading comprehension skills. You should be able to understand basic passages and be able to efficiently summarize the content.

What Will I Be Tested on In the Listening Portion of JLPT N3?

The listening portion of JLPT N3 is 40 minutes long and will require you to be able to comprehend Japanese in a purely auditory form. For N3, the speaking is not at native speed levels but it still flows at a decent pace. The spoken portion is clear and precise, with coherent dialogue and relatively simple subject matter.

According to the Worldwide Official Japanese-Language Proficiency Test website, you will be tested on several elements in regards to the listening portion:

  • Your ability to extract necessary information from a spoken passage in order to answer particular questions and determine a course of action based on the task presented
  • Your ability to comprehend key points from listening to a coherent section of text
  • Your ability to establish an overall outline of the subject presented, including an understanding of the speaker’s sentiments and ideas
  • Your ability to select appropriate verbal expressions while listening to guidelines and concurrently looking at illustrations
  • Your ability to choose the correct response to short auditory clues, such as the answer to a proposed question

The listening portion can be difficult to study for as it is something that cannot be taught through a book. However, there is a lot of online material available as well as language podcasts that present Japanese at slower speaking paces so that you can learn more easily.

Remember that for the N3, the speaking pace will be efficient and clean but just slightly slower than native speaking paces. If you study natural dialogue, you will be pleasantly surprised at how clear and articulate the sections in the N3 will appear by comparison.

How Difficult Is JLPT N3?

The JLPT N3 is a ramp-up in difficulty from the preceding N5 and N4. While the N5 and N4 test more basic, early elementary knowledge, the N3 tests upper-intermediate levels of language proficiency.

This section of testing can be particularly frustrating for some students, as it requires a substantial level of fluency in order to pass but is still far from fluent. Those who are capable of passing the N3 usually have language skills that are good enough for getting around, simple conversations, booking hotels, and shopping.

This language proficiency is helpful, but it can be stressful because there are still significant gaps in understanding that leave you often feeling confused, and as if you are not making any progress.

It’s important to understand that the JLPT N3 is often given more consideration when being evaluated by potential employers and institutions. This is in part because the N3 is significantly more difficult than the N4 and N5 and requires a dedicated amount of study in order to pass. Some estimates state that the N3 requires as much as 450 hours of classroom study in order to pass.

How Much Time Should I Spend Studying for JLPT N3?

As mentioned previously, the JLPT N3 requires a considerable amount of dedicated studying. Some sources state that it can take approximately 450 hours of classroom study in order to pass, which is the equivalent of about 3 years of college study. However, this doesn’t take into account the time that is spent outside the classroom studying and reviewing the material.

The Japanese Educational Exchanges and Services used to publish approximate estimates of how much study time was required for each test section, but they no longer publish these numbers. As such, there is no “official” amount of time that is recommended to dedicate towards studying. However, there are still many estimates available from study resources and tutors.

If you already know kanji, you will not need as much study as a student who has no understanding of kanji. The Coto Japanese Academy estimates a student with kanji knowledge will need to spend around 900 hours studying for the N3. A student with no kanji experience will need closer to 1325 hours of study.

Other estimates state that the N3 may require anywhere between 500 to 750 hours of study, but these lower numbers may apply more for students who are actively taking Japanese language classes, rather than those who are self-taught. These hours often don’t reflect the hours spent outside of class studying.

The truth is that the hours of studying you will require will vary based on your starting level of kanji knowledge, as well as your ability to memorize and retain knowledge. Some people need more repetitions in order to attain proficiency, while others may catch on quicker. As such, it is difficult to give a singular estimate of the recommended study time.

How Should I Study for JLPT N3?

The N3 is more difficult than the N4 and N5, but it builds upon the knowledge required to pass these two previous tests and so if you have prepared well you should already be on the correct foot when you start studying for the N3.

Expect to dedicate a significant portion of your study time to kanji, if you aren’t well familiar with them already. The N4 and N5 require knowledge of approximately 300 kanji, and for the N3 you will be expected to know about 350 more kanji. It can be helpful to study the most common radicals first, so it makes determining the meaning of each kanji easier.

Remember that practice makes perfect. For a good study aid, consider reading the posts on NHK’s News Web Easy. The articles posted are usually fairly straightforward and can help you practice your proficiency in reading as well as expanding your vocabulary.

Speaking of vocabulary, you’re going to need to devote time to learning a lot more words for the N3. Luckily, there are a lot of study resources available for N3 vocabulary, including online sources like renshuu and print books like Nihongo So-matome’s guide. Grammar will also be an important component of the N3, and this is often best tested via sample questions from the JLPT official website.

The N3 also includes a reading portion, but this will come naturally if you have successfully studied your kanji, vocabulary, and grammar. The listening section of N3 can be intimidating, as it is something that can’t be learned from books. However, the modern age makes it easier than ever to find YouTube videos or podcasts of native speakers so you can listen to dialogue that interests you and study while you do so.

Is It Worth Taking the JLPT N3?

There are some definite advantages to taking the JLPT N3. It requires a serious dedication of time and focus, so some may ask if it is worth all the effort. In many cases, it can be absolutely worth the time. It is the first level of test that has actual associated benefits, rather than simply being a sign of learning progress.

If you are considering a career in a Japanese speaking environment, the N3 shows you have a significant commitment to learning the language and have the means to potentially become fluent. It can, therefore, be a helpful addition to a CV or resume because it indicates a certified higher level of proficiency that employers love to see.

However, the N3 is only a midway point in the testing, and even after passing it you may still be lacking in critical areas of fluency. Often, the understanding of the language nuances needed to pass the N2 and N1 are best obtained from native speakers and learning these elements can be difficult if you are living outside of Japan.

Some employers may have a strict employment requirement of a certain test level, and even if you are fairly fluent but have only passed the JLPT N3, they may automatically reject your job application. The JLPT N3 can be a necessary step towards becoming more proficient, but it may not be worth the effort in some situations if you have no intention of testing further.

If you are not considering a career that requires language proficiency in Japanese, there may be no reason for taking the N3. The certification is often only meaningful to employers or certain institutions. If you are simply looking to increase your knowledge of Japanese, there may be no reason to actually take the test. Instead, you can simply use study materials to improve your understanding and fluency.

How Long Is Each Section of the JLPT N3?

The JLPT N3 is divided into three sections, and within these sections you can expect to find an average breakdown of various areas you will be tested over. In contrast to the N4 and N5, the N3 requires you to occasionally speed read or be proficient in scanning for relevant information in passages in order to complete the test in time. As such, it can be helpful to know a general guideline for how much time to devote to each section for time management purposes.

For the vocabulary and language knowledge section of the test, you are given 30 minutes. This section is divided into five areas of testing, with estimated question breakdowns provided by jlptbootcamp.com:

  • Kanji reading – approximately 8 questions
  • Orthography – approximately 6 questions
  • Expressions – approximately 11 questions
  • Paraphrase – approximately 5 questions
  • Usage – approximately 5 questions

For the second section, you are given 70 minutes and it covers grammar and reading proficiency. In this section, you can expect to see the following breakdown of questions and test subjects:

  • Grammar form – approximately 7 questions
  • Sentence Composition – approximately 5 questions
  • Text Grammar – approximately 5 questions
  • Short reading passages – approximately 4 questions
  • Mid-sized reading passages – approximately 6 questions
  • Long reading passages – approximately 4 questions
  • Informational retrieval – approximately 2 questions

The final section of the N3 is a listening portion. This portion is 40 minutes long and tests on several different levels of comprehension (according to the Official Worldwide Japanese-Language Proficiency Test website):

  • Task-based comprehension
  • Comprehension of key points
  • Comprehension of a general outline
  • Verbal expressions
  • Quick response

Depending on your proficiency in each section, you may need to plan to allot your time accordingly so you will not be rushed during longer sections and struggling to finish. Sometimes it can be helpful to set a watch in front of you and pay attention to how much time is remaining so you know when you need to work quickly and when you can slow down and spend more time on a section.

What Score Do I Need to Pass JLPT N3?

The score required to pass will vary based on which test you are taking. For the N3, you will need to achieve an overall pass mark in regard to the total points, but you will also need to pass each section individually. Scoring for the JLPT is scaled in order to ensure equivalent performance each year with varying difficulties of tests. This way, the scores will remain consistent from year to year, despite varying test material.

For the N3, there is a total of 180 points possible. These points are evenly divided between each section, with 60 potential points in the vocabulary/grammar section, 60 points in the reading section, and 60 points in the listening section.

An overall score of 95 is considered passing for the N3, but you also need to receive a passing mark in each section in order to truly pass. Each section requires a score of at least 19 to be considered passing.

The reason why you are required to receive a passing grade in each section rather than simply an overall passing mark is in order to verify that those passing aren’t doing so simply by doing remarkably well in one section but performing horribly in another section. This scoring method requires test takers to have a balanced understanding and an even level of skill across all the tested subjects.

The overall pass mark is a higher percentage than that required for each section, being at 53 percent while only 32 percent is required to pass each section. This means that you don’t necessarily need to perform at the overall pass level in each section in order to pass. You merely need to meet the minimum requirements in each section to qualify to pass.

When Can I Take JLPT N3?

Ideally, you take JLPT N3 after having successfully passed N4 and N5, although if you are confident in your skills you don’t necessarily have to take the N4 or N5 in order to qualify to take the N3.

All JLPT levels are tested twice a year, once in the summer and once in the winter. Application for the July examination is usually between March and April, but it may vary based on your chosen individual testing site. The winter exam is offered in December and its application period usually stretches between August and September.

The results of the winter test are announced in February for examiners who tested in Japan and in March for those who tested abroad. For the summer test, results are usually available by late August. Due to online registration, scores are now often available much sooner online than when they are received by mail.

If you are planning to take the N3, you will need to find a testing center near you and apply to it in time to sit for one of the testing sessions. Keep in mind how much time you will need to prepare for the test and if you have any approaching deadlines such as a job application or a planned to move overseas in order to receive your test results in time to apply them.

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