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JLPT N5 Practice Test — Free & Online
The JLPT N5 is the first level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. It checks whether you can understand basic Japanese used in everyday situations: about 800 words, around 100 kanji, and core grammar for greetings, shopping, time, travel and daily routines.
This page is your N5 home base: the exam format, the passing score, three sample questions, and a direct start into the full free trainer — section practice with instant explanations, or a timed mock exam scored against the real passing line.
Start N5 practice — free Timed N5 mock exam
140 original questions for N5 on the home page trainer (vocabulary 45 · grammar 45 · reading 25 · listening 25). No sign-up; wrong answers are saved in your browser's Wrong Book.
JLPT N5 at a glance
| Section | Time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | 20 min | Word meanings, kanji readings and correct kanji for common words |
| Language Knowledge (Grammar) · Reading | 40 min | Particles, verb forms, sentence building, and short everyday texts |
| Listening | 30 min | Short conversations and questions about daily life |
Passing score: 80 / 180, plus a minimum score in each section. The next N5 test date is Sunday, December 6, 2026 (the JLPT runs twice a year, in July and December). Confirm dates and registration on the official site, jlpt.jp.
Try 3 sample N5 questions
Written in the same style as the full practice bank. Pick your answer first, then open the explanation.
What does 「ゆうびんきょく」 mean?
- post office
- bank
- train station
- park
Show answer
Answer: 1. post office. ゆうびんきょく (郵便局) is where you send letters and parcels. A bank is ぎんこう, a station is えき, and a park is こうえん.
きのう、友だち＿＿ えいがを 見ました。
- と
- を
- へ
- が
Show answer
Answer: 1. と. The particle と after a person means “with” — “I watched a movie with a friend.” を marks the thing watched (えいがを), not the companion.
わたしは 学生です。まいにち 八時に 学校へ 行きます。学校は 家から 遠く ありません。歩いて 十分です。
Question: How long does it take to walk to school?
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
- 30 minutes
- 1 hour
Show answer
Answer: 2. 10 minutes. 歩いて十分です means “it is ten minutes on foot.” 遠くありません tells you the school is not far, which is why walking works.
How to prepare for JLPT N5
- Learn words in sentences, not lists. N5 vocabulary questions often test a word inside a short sentence, so practise each new word with one example.
- Master the core particles early. は、が、を、に、へ、と、も、の — particle mistakes are the cheapest points to lose at N5.
- Do a little listening every day. Short, slow conversations are the whole N5 listening section; daily exposure beats one long session.
- Use the Wrong Book loop. Every question you miss here is saved automatically. Redo your wrong questions at the weekend until they stop being wrong.
- Take a timed mock regularly. Knowing the material and finishing in time are different skills — the mock exam trains both.
Ready for the next step up? See the JLPT N4 practice test page. New to the exam overall? Our About page explains how TestNihongo works and how the questions are written.
JLPT N5 — frequently asked questions
Is JLPT N5 hard for beginners?
N5 is the entry level of the JLPT and is designed for beginners. It tests about 800 basic words, around 100 kanji and everyday grammar such as particles, present and past tenses, and te-form basics. If you have finished a beginner textbook (roughly the first half of a standard course), N5 practice tests will show you exactly which areas still need work.
How long does it take to prepare for JLPT N5?
It depends on your starting point, but many self-learners prepare over several months of short daily study rather than long weekend sessions. Twenty focused minutes a day — one practice section, then reviewing your Wrong Book — is a realistic pace that steadily raises an N5 score.
What is the passing score for JLPT N5?
You need 80 points or more out of 180 overall. Each scoring section also has its own minimum: 38 out of 120 for the combined language knowledge (vocabulary and grammar) and reading section, and 19 out of 60 for listening. Falling below a sectional minimum means failing even if your total is high enough. Always confirm the current rules on the official site, jlpt.jp.
Can I practise JLPT N5 on my phone?
Yes. TestNihongo works in any modern mobile browser with nothing to install and no account. Listening questions are read aloud with your device's Japanese text-to-speech voice, so keep your sound on for the listening section.