JLPT N5 vs N4
N5 covers basic comprehension. N4 expands into everyday conversation with nearly double the vocabulary and more complex grammar.
Which should you take?
If you're starting from zero, take N5 first to build a solid foundation. If you already know hiragana, katakana, and basic sentence patterns, consider starting directly with N4.
How the exam differs
N4: Language Knowledge and Reading are scored together (38 of 120 minimum), Listening separately (19 of 60). You must clear every sectional minimum and the overall pass mark at the same time.
What actually changes between N5 and N4
The vocabulary load roughly doubles, from about 800 words to about 1,500, and kanji goes from roughly 103 characters to around 300. That sounds severe, but the N5 list is almost entirely concrete: numbers, days, family members, common verbs. N4 adds the connective tissue that turns isolated words into sentences you can actually speak. You pick up the te-form properly, plain form, casual speech, and the first conditional patterns. Where N5 asks whether you recognise a word, N4 starts asking whether you understand a relationship between two clauses.
The exam format is identical, so the jump is content only
N5 and N4 share the same paper structure. Language Knowledge and Reading are scored as one 120-point block needing at least 38, and Listening is a separate 60-point block needing at least 19. The only format difference is the pass mark: 80 of 180 at N5 against 90 of 180 at N4. Because the structure does not change, everything you learn about pacing and question types at N5 transfers directly. This is the one step on the ladder where that is true.
Both levels have the highest pass rates on the ladder
N4 actually posts a higher pass rate than N5 (55.9% against 49.5% in December 2024). That is not because N4 is easier. It reflects who sits each paper: N5 attracts a large number of first-time candidates testing the water, while N4 candidates have usually already passed something. Treat the pass rate as a fact about the cohort, not about the difficulty.
Who should skip N5 and start at N4
If you already read hiragana and katakana comfortably, know the basic sentence patterns, and can handle present and past tense, N5 will not teach you much. Sitting it costs an exam fee and several months for a certificate that few people ask for. Start at N4. If you are genuinely at zero, or if you want an early deadline to keep you honest, N5 is a reasonable forcing function. The certificate itself carries almost no weight with employers at either level.
Common questions about N5 and N4
Can I go straight from N5 to N4 in one exam cycle?
Yes, and most people do. The cumulative study estimate goes from roughly 350 to 400 hours at N5 to 550 to 600 at N4, so you are adding around 200 hours. At ten hours a week that is about five months, which fits comfortably between the July and December sittings.
Is N4 enough to work in Japan?
No. N4 demonstrates everyday conversational ability, but employers who ask for Japanese almost always mean N2, and sometimes N3 for roles with limited customer contact. N4 is best understood as a checkpoint on the way there, not a destination.
Does N4 test kanji writing?
No. The JLPT is entirely multiple choice at every level. You need to recognise kanji and their readings, never to write them by hand. That said, writing practice is still one of the more effective ways to make readings stick.
What happens if I pass the total but fail one section?
You fail. Both N5 and N4 require you to clear the sectional minimum in every section at the same time as the overall pass mark. A candidate who scores 120 overall but only 15 on Listening does not pass. This trips up people who neglect listening practice.