Do you still need help understanding the JLPT format despite reading the official website? Throughout this article, I will explain each section of the JLPT in an easy-to-understand manner.
The test focuses on four primary areas: vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. The types of questions are further segmented within each region. The official page often leaves most people with the question Should I prepare for any particular type of question? Here is an explanation that is easy to understand. There are also sample questions on the official website that you should review (and practice on).
There are three timed sections in the N3-N5 levels: vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. There are two timed sections in the N1-N2 levels: vocabulary plus grammar plus reading and listening. As a result, you have more flexibility in spending time during the N1-N2, but you need to manage your time effectively.
Format for JLPT
Vocabulary
Each of the following types usually has a handful of questions.
- Choose the appropriate reading for the underlined kanji.
- You must choose the kanji for the underlined hiragana word (N2-N5).
- Fill in the blank that is half a word (N2 only). The word you create usually has 3-5 characters.
- Fill in the missing word in a sentence using contextually defined expressions. You need to use the context of the sentence to choose the best answer since more than one word might fit grammatically.
- Find the best word or phrase to replace (with the same meaning) the underlined one.
- Choose the most appropriate sentence to use the given the word.
Grammar
The following types have around five questions, similar to the Vocabulary section.
- The grammar form is chosen based on a sentence that is given to you, and you need to fill in the blanks with the grammar form.
- The sentence is composed of a few consecutive blanks. The blanks represent words or phrases. It is important to arrange them correctly.
- There are many questions related to one passage in text grammar. Fill in the blanks in the passage with the appropriate grammatical phrase.
Reading
There is only one reading comprehension section on the test. Then you read the passage and answer questions about it. You will encounter different types of questions below.
- The majority of reading questions fall into the category of comprehension (short, medium, long). Based on the reading, you answer questions. Some passages have one question, while others have multiple questions. There are long passages (1000 words) and short passages (200 words). Depending on the level of the JLPT, passage length and difficulty will vary.
- It involves retrieving information about a figure in Japanese and answering questions about it. Graphs or charts were always part of the old JLPT. In all the new tests I have seen or taken, there is some type of advertisement or notice…something you’d typically find at a store or apartment building.
- Integrated Comprehension: (N1-N2) There is usually one passage in the reading section that is composed of two smaller passages (A and B). In most cases, you are asked about the similarities and differences between A and B’s opinions.
- Thematic Comprehension: (N1-N2) You read a long passage and answer questions about it. I recommend skimming this passage, answering the question, and moving on.
Listening
In this section of the JLPT, you are bombarded with questions one after another, whether you are ready to move forward or not. Keep your focus on the question at hand. When the next question begins, bubble in your answer, even if you aren’t sure of the answer.
- Task-Based Comprehension: The situation is described and you are asked a question about what follows. In the next step, you listen to the conversation (usually between two people) and are asked the same question again. Answers are written on a page for you to choose from.
- Comprehension Of Key Points: Similar to Task-Based Comprehension, this type of question follows the same flow. Typically, the conversation here is a bit longer, and the question tests your ability to recall details.
- Comprehension Of General Outline: (N1-N3) This type of question can be difficult. The only thing you get upfront is a description. A long conversation or monologue is analyzed to determine its general meaning. Answers chosen from the question sheet are spoken; they do not appear on the sheet.
- Verbal Expressions: (N3-N5) This section is fairly quick. There is an arrow pointing at one person in the picture. The floating arrow should say the phrase you choose. The choices you make are spoken, not written.
- Quick Response: A quick response is what this question is all about. A sentence is said by one person. Choodecide which response is most appropriate Again the answers are
- Integrated Comprehension: (For N1-N2 only) There are multiple questions in these conversations, and your response will be based on your knowledge of the situation. You will choose an answer from the list. Since you can see the answers in advance, you can usually guess what the question will be. Take notes during the conversation to assist you when answering the question.
Test sections and test times
| Level | Test sections 〈Test time〉 | ||
| N1 | Language Knowledge(Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading 〈110min〉No change of test time | Listening〈60min〉Test time is 〈55min〉 from the test in 2022 (December). | |
| N2 | Language Knowledge(Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading 〈105min〉 | Listening〈50min〉 | |
| N3 | Language Knowledge(Vocabulary)〈30min〉 | Language Knowledge(Grammar)・Reading 〈70min〉 | Listening〈40min〉 |
| N4 | Language Knowledge(Vocabulary)〈25min〉 | Language Knowledge(Grammar)・Reading〈55min〉 | Listening〈35min〉 |
| N5 | Language Knowledge(Vocabulary)〈20min〉 | Language Knowledge(Grammar)・Reading〈40min〉 | Listening〈30min〉 |
Composition of test items
Questions in each test section are categorized into type of test items according to competence to be measured. Each test item type contains multiple questions. Purposes of test item types are determined for each level.
| Test section | Type of test items | N1 | N2 | N3 | N4 | N5 | |
| Language Knowledge・Reading | Vocabulary | Kanji reading | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| Orthography | ― | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Word formation | ― | ○ | ― | ― | ― | ||
| Contextually-defined expressions | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Paraphrases | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Usage | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ― | ||
| Grammar | Sentential grammar 1(Selecting grammar form) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | |
| Sentential grammar 2(Sentence composition) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Text grammar | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Reading | Comprehension(Short passages) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | |
| Comprehension(Mid-size passages) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Comprehension(Long passages) | ○ | ― | ○ | ― | ― | ||
| Integrated comprehension | ○ | ○ | ― | ― | ― | ||
| Thematic comprehension(Long passages) | ○ | ○ | ― | ― | ― | ||
| Information retrieval | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Listening | Task-based comprehension | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | |
| Comprehension of key points | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Comprehension of general outline | ○ | ○ | ○ | ― | ― | ||
| Verbal expressions | ― | ― | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Quick response | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||
| Integrated comprehension | ○ | ○ | ― | ― | ― | ||
| Links to purposes of test item types for each level | N1 | N2 | N3 | N4 | N5 |