【N4】JLPTの特徴｜Features of JLPT: N4

Have you ever taken the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)?

JLPT is a famous Japanese test confirmed when you try to study abroad or work in Japan.

Today, let’s check the features of JLPT level N4!

　

N4ってどれくらいのレベル？｜What is the Level of N4?

漢字かんじが300字じわかる｜Understand 300 Kanji

Do you like Kanji, everyone?

You will need about 300 Kanji for (passing) N4.
Kanji for verbs, Kanji for places… etc. All of these are frequently used Kanji.

Let’s memorize those Kanji using flashcards on Quizlet!

1500種類しゅるいぐらいの単語たんごがわかる｜Understand Approx. 1500 Words

As I said, you will need 300 Kanji, but as for vocabulary, you will need 1500 of them.

There are words in Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji, so please review all the words you learned in a textbook.

JLPTはいつありますか？｜When is the JLPT Test Held?

年ねんに2回かいあります！*｜JLPT is Held Twice a Year*

The JLPT test is held twice a year in Japan.
Also, some countries (such as in Asia) have it twice a year.

Some other countries have it only once a year.

Please check it by yourself when you can take the test in your country.

7月がつの試験しけん｜Test in July

America and Italy don’t have a test in July, only in December.
The test usually takes place at the beginning of July for those countries that have it in July (Japan and other countries).

12月がつの試験しけん｜Test in December

We have the test at the beginning of December.
Only the December JLPT is offered in the U.S.

試験しけん形式けいしき｜Format of the Test

試験しけんは4択たく問題もんだい｜Multiple(4)-Choice Question

The JLPT test has options (for each question.)
Most questions have 4 options, but sometimes there are 3 options for the listening section.

何点なんてんが合格ごうかく？｜How Many Points Should I Get to Pass?

The maximum score for the JLPT is 180 points.
And you would pass if you got 90 or more points.

However, we have 2 sections on JLPT N4.
Each section has a sectional pass mark.

言語げんご知識ちしきは 38点てん以上いじょうを取とりましょう｜Get 38 or More Points on the Language Knowledge Section

Language Knowledge is a section for Japanese characters, grammar, and reading.

You will have to get 38 or more points on this section.
If you got less than 38 here, you’d fail even if you got 90 points overall.

聴解ちょうかいは19点てん以上いじょうを取とりましょう｜Get 19 or More Points on the Listening Section

Listening is a section for listening to conversations and sentences.

You will have to get 19 or more points on this section.
If you got less than 19 here, you’d fail even if you got 90 points overall.

試験しけん科目かもくと試験しけん時間じかん｜Test Sections and Time

Test Section		Type of Test Items	Number of Test Items	Time
Language Knowledge・Reading	Vocabulary	Kanji Reading	7	25
		Orthography	5
		Contextually-Defined Expressions	8
		Paraphrases	4
		Usage	4
	Grammar	Sentential Grammar 1 (Selecting Grammar Form)	13	55
		Sentential Grammar 2 (Sentence Composition)	4
		Text Grammar	4
	Reading	Comprehension (Short Passages)	3
		Comprehension (Mid-Size Passages)	3
		Information retrieval	2
Listening		Task-Based Comprehension	8	35
		Comprehension of key points	7
		Verbal Expressions	5
		Quick Response	8

Test Section		Type of Test Items	Number of Test Items	Time
Language Knowledge・Reading	Vocabulary	Kanji Reading	7	25
		Orthography	5
		Contextually-Defined Expressions	8
		Paraphrases	4
		Usage	4
	Grammar	Sentential Grammar 1 (Selecting Grammar Form)	13	55
		Sentential Grammar 2 (Sentence Composition)	4
		Text Grammar	4
	Reading	Comprehension (Short Passages)	3
		Comprehension (Mid-Size Passages)	3
		Information retrieval	2
Listening		Task-Based Comprehension	8	35
		Comprehension of key points	7
		Verbal Expressions	5
		Quick Response	8

Before the test, let’s check out the sections and time for each section.
And, let’s also check what kind of questions they have!

I made these questions below based on questions on an official JLPT website.

⚠️ 注意ちゅういすること｜Things to Be Careful

There is no English or other language translation for question sentences.
So I recommend you memorize the sentences because they use the same patterns!

言語知識げんごちしき（文字もじ・語彙ごい）：25分ぷん｜Vocabulary : 25 min

This section “Language Knowledge (Characters and Vocabulary) takes 25 minutes.
And there will be 28 questions.

This means you’ll have to solve each question in 53 seconds.
I recommend you practice solving them each in 45 to 50 seconds.

This section has 4 kinds of question patterns.

1. 漢字かんじ読よみ｜Kanji Reading

This section has 7 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

2. 表記ひょうき｜Orthography

This section has 5 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

3. 文脈ぶんみゃく規定きてい｜Contextually-defined expressions

This section has 8 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

4. 言いい換かえ類義るいぎ｜Paraphrases

This section has 4 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

　

言語知識げんごちしき（文法ぶんぽう）・読解どっかい：55分ぷん｜Grammar & Reading : 55 min

This section “Language Knowledge (Grammar and Reading) takes 55 minutes.
And there will be 29 questions.

There are two sections which are, grammar and reading. And it will take time because you’ll have to read more than other sections.
I recommend you spend 20 minutes on the grammar section and 35 minutes on the reading section.

Solve each question within 57 seconds in the grammar section.
And spend 4 minutes for each question in the reading section.

This section has 6 kinds of question patterns (3 for grammar and 3 for reading).

文法ぶんぽう｜Grammar

1. 文法ぶんぽう形式けいしきの判断はんだん｜Sentential Grammar 1: Selecting grammar form

This section has 13 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

2. 文ぶんの組くみ立たて｜Sentential Grammar 2: Sentence Composition

This section has 4 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

3. 文章ぶんしょうの文法ぶんぽう｜Text Grammar

This section has 4 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

The grammar among all the options above is different, so check the sentences before and after the blank, and find the answer.

読解どっかい｜Reading

1. 内容ないよう理解りかい (短文たんぶん)｜Comprehension (Short passages)

You read short texts (about 100–200 characters) and answer questions about the main idea or specific details.

This section has 3 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

2. 内容ないよう理解りかい (中文ちゅうぶん)｜Comprehension (Mid-size passages)

You read longer texts (about 400–500 characters) and understand the overall meaning and the writer’s intention.

This section has 3 questions in total.
Let’s solve an example question!

3. 情報じょうほう検索けんさく｜Information retrival

You read notices, emails, or schedules and find specific information needed to answer a question.

This section has 2 questions.
Let’s solve an example question!

聴解ちょうかい：35分｜Listening : 35 min

The listening section is for 35 minutes.
And there are 28 questions.

The audio will be played only once, so listen carefully and solve each question.

This section has 4 kinds of question patterns.
I haven’t made example sentences for the listening section, so please check out the official JLPT website.

おすすめの教科書きょうかしょ｜Recommended Textbooks

I’ll share textbooks that I use in my lessons and the ones you can use to study on your own.

TRY！ 日本語能力試験にほんごのうりょくしけん N4｜TRY! JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST N4

This is a textbook I use for my JLPT lessons.
It is very easy to understand because it explains grammar well with English translation.

In my lesson, we learn grammar first, and you can work on “Review Questions” on your own after the lesson.

Audios are on Spotify and Apple Podcast, so you won’t need a CD player!

JLPT日本語能力試験にほんごのうりょくしけん ベスト模試もし N4｜The Best Practice Tests for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N4

JBefore the JLPT test, take a mock test!
Solve them in the same time limit as the test for various sections (or the whole mock test).

You will run out of time if you don’t practice with the mock test.
Please take mock tests not only once but several times!

新しんにほんご500問もん N4-N5｜SHIN NIHONGO 500 MON – JLPT N4-N5

Do you want to learn new vocabulary?

This textbook has so many vocabulary words. And the style of the questions is the same as the JLPT test.
Solve them little by little, and you’ll be able to learn various words in 4 weeks.

JLPTのポイント｜Key Points for JLPT

❌ 英語えいごや外国語がいこくごはありません！｜No English or Foreign Language on JLPT!

They don’t have translations either in English or other foreign languages on the test.
Memorize the patterns of questions.

💿 音声おんせいは1回かいです！｜The Audio Will Be Played Only Once!

You will be able to listen to the audio only once.
They will not be played twice, so listen carefully.

⌚️ 時計とけいを忘わすれないでください！｜Don’t Forget to Bring Your Watch!

JLPT has time limitations for each section.
Sometimes, they don’t have a clock in the classroom, so bring your watch to the test.

🎒 持もち物ものを 確認かくにんしましょう！｜Check Once Again for Your Belongings!

Let’s check again for your belongings the day before and right before JLPT.

受験票じゅけんひょう｜Test Voucher

DO NOT forget your test voucher!

筆記ひっき用具ようぐ（えんぴつ、消けしゴム）｜Writing Materials (Pencils and Erasers)

The test is a mark-sheet method test.
You will write answers with a pencil, so bring some pencils and erasers.

You might drop them on the floor, so you should bring a couple of them for each.

時計とけい（スマートウォッチはだめです）｜A Watch (No Smartwatch)

They might not have a clock at the test venue.
You should bring your watch.

However, you cannot bring a smartwatch or one that makes sound.

本人ほんにん確認かくにん書類しょるい（ID）｜Identification Document

DO NOT also forget your ID.
Bring your ID with your face photo.

You can bring a passport, a car license(if it has face photography) and a residence card if you live in Japan.

🚶 早はやめに試験室しけんしつに行いきましょう｜Enter a Test Room Earlier

It is too late to go to the test room when the test is about to start.
They have ”Entering Time,” so please enter the room during that time.

まとめ｜Wrap-Up

JLPTのN4の特徴とくちょう、わかりましたか？

はじめてJLPTを受うけますか？ ドキドキしますね。

でもたくさん勉強べんきょうしたら、だいじょうぶです！
自分じぶんを信しんじて、がんばりましょう。

じゃ、またね👋