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.
In this article, we will give you the breakdown of the score you need to get in each level of the JLPT to pass.
Points you need to get to pass different levels of the JLPT
Basically, each level of the JLPT comes with a total of 180 points. In other words, the highest obtainable score for any level of the JLPT is 180 points. Therefore, whether you are taking N1, N1, N3, N4, or N5, you cannot get more than 180 points. However, you don’t necessarily have to get 180 points or even anything close to that. This is because the test has a minimum passing score for each level.
For each level, the minimum overall passing score is indicated below:
- N1 – 100 points
- N2 – 90 Points
- N3 – 95 points
- N4 – 90 points
- N5 – 80 points
In simple terms, you need to get 100 points out of 180 points to pass N1. On the other hand, if you are taking N5, you need to get only 80 points out of the available 180 points.
It is important to realize that the difficulties of the various levels of tests differ because your understanding of the Japanese language at each level is believed to be different. At N5, you are assumed to have only basic knowledge of Japanese but taking N1 means that your understanding of Japanese is close to that of a native speaker. Therefore, someone who got only 90 points at N1 will definitely have a better understanding of the Japanese language more than some that obtained 10 points in N3.
Although the curriculum of every level varies, the test questions for each level are multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Also, the standard scoring system of each level differs. So, you should bear this in mind when taking the test.
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.