Once you start getting set to take the JLPT, knowing the score to pass the test is one of the major things you will be concerned about. Generally, JLPT is divided into 5 main categories – N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. N5 is the easiest and lowest level of the JLPT while the N1 is the toughest and highest level.
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has 5 different levels – N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. When taking any of the levels, there is a particular score you need to obtain to pass the test. You should note the following important points about the pass mark for JLPT:
- Overall pass mark – this is the overall mark that you must obtain to pass the JLPT.
- Sectional pass marks – each level of the JLPT is divided into two or three sections. Each section has a particular sectional pass mark. If you have got the required overall pass mark but failed a section, you have failed the test.
The pass marks for N4 and N5 are similar:
- The total obtainable mark is 180
- The sectional pass mark is at least 38 out of 120 for (reading section) and at least 19 out of 60 (listening section).
- Overall pass marks are 90 points for N4 and 80 points for N5.
The pass marks for N1, N2, and N3 are somewhat similar.
- Total test marks are 180 points.
- Sectional marks: a minimum of 19 out of 60 points for each section (vocabulary/grammar, reading, and listening sections).
- Overall pass marks are 100 points for N1, 90 points for N2, and 95 points for N3.
Minimum section score
While there is a minimum overall score that you must get to pass any level of JLPT, you should also be mindful of the minimum section score of each level. The minimum section score refers to the minimum score that you must get in each section of the test to pass. The minimum section score often confuses lots of individuals when taking the JLPT. Don’t worry; we will explain in detail below.
You should understand that each level of the test is divided into 4 main parts. These parts are vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening.
For level N1, N2 and N3, the vocabulary and grammar are further grouped into a section and added to the reading section and listening section. Therefore, each of N1, N2, and N3 has three sections.
However, level N4 and N5 are quite different. While listening is classified as a section, vocabulary, grammar, and reading are combined to form a single group. So, N4 or N5 has two testing sections each.
According to the official website of JLPT, the maximum obtainable marks for each section are highlighted below.
Notably, the minimum section score for each section is 30% of the overall section point. That is, you must get 30% of the maximum obtainable score for each section before you can pass the test. For a section with 60 obtainable points, you must get at least 19 points whereas you need at least 38 marks to pass a section with 120 marks.
Let’s shed more light on this table. If you are taking N1, you must get a total point of at least 100/180 to pass. However, you must get a minimum of 19 points in the vocabulary/grammar section, reading section, and listening section. On the other end, if you are taking N5, you must get at least 38 points in the vocabulary/grammar/reading section and at least 19 points in the listening section.
Let’s assume that someone took N5 and got 85 points in the vocabulary/grammar/reading section but got only 10 points in the listening section. Of course, the person got an overall score of 95 points which is more than the minimum overall points of N5 (80 points). However, the person would be adjudged to have failed the test before he got less than the minimum section point in the listening section.
This minimum section score establishes the fact that you cannot afford to perform exceptionally well in some sections and fail miserably in the other section.
How is the JLPT scored?
Another confusing thing about the JLPT is the method of marking the test. As stated on the official website of JLPT, Item Response Theory (IRT) is the statistical test theory used for calculating the test scores of JLPT. It is believed that points are not awarded directly to each correct answer.
Well, we don’t know much about the Item Response Theory (IRT), but it is certain that if you prepare properly and effectively for the test, you will have no issue with passing it.
Conclusion
If you want to take and pass the JLPT, you should learn about the minimum overall point and minimum section point. Generally, the test is grouped into different sections. While N1, N2, and N3 have three sections each, N4 and N5 have two sections each. The maximum overall point is the sum of the points that you must get in all sections. However, to pass the test, you must also get 30% or more of each section.
Therefore, as you are looking for the score to get to pass the JLPT, you must realize that each section matters. You cannot afford to get high points in one section and score very low in another section.
