Japan Foundation & Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES)
JLPT N2
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test — Level N2
The upper-intermediate level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, certifying the ability to understand Japanese in everyday situations and in a variety of circumstances. N2 is the level many employers in Japan treat as a practical hiring threshold.
What's on the exam
JLPT N2 test sections
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) & Reading
~67% (120 of 180 points)Kanji readings and orthography · Contextual and specialized vocabulary · Grammatical forms and sentence composition · Text grammar and cohesion · Comprehension of mid-to-long passages and information retrieval
Listening
~33% (60 of 180 points)Task-based comprehension · Comprehension of key points · Summary comprehension · Verbal expression · Quick response to spoken prompts
Frequently asked questions
How much does the JLPT N2 cost?
Fees vary. Fees vary widely by country (roughly $20–80); set by the local host institution.
How long is the JLPT N2 and how many questions does it have?
Multiple-choice items across vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening (counts vary by administration) — Approximately 155 minutes (Language Knowledge & Reading 105 min; Listening 50 min).
What do you need to pass the JLPT N2?
Overall pass mark of 90/180, plus at least 19/60 in each of the three scoring sections (Language Knowledge, Reading, Listening).
Can you retake the JLPT N2?
May retake at the next administration.
What is the best way to study for the JLPT N2?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) & Reading ~67% (120 of 180 points), Listening ~33% (60 of 180 points)). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
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