What is the N1 level of the JLPT, the highest level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, and what kind of questions are asked? – World Class Education Tokyo Central Japanese Language School (TCJ) (2024)

Having the N1 level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test is quite impressive. Many people say, “You have JLPT N1? That’s amazing!”

Some even claim, “It’s difficult for native Japanese speakers,” or “There are questions about phrases we rarely use.” However, that’s not always the case. You can pass if you focus on the key points.

Today, I’ll be talking about the N1 level of the JLPT.

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is one of the largest language tests in the world, designed to assess the proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers. It is conducted twice a year, usually on the first Sunday of July and the first Sunday of December.

The JLPT has five levels, ranging from N5 to N1, with N1 being the most difficult. At the N1 level, it demonstrates that you can understand Japanese in a wide range of situations.

The phrase “wide range of situations” means being able to have conversations not only in daily life but also in business and formal settings. It also implies the ability to understand meanings in novels and essays, including grasping the opinions and arguments of the author.

What distinguishes N1 from N2 is the level of listening comprehension and conversation skills. While N2 individuals can participate in meetings at work or school and engage in conversations with colleagues, N1 speakers possess a deeper understanding and the ability to negotiate with people outside of work, make plans, and deliver presentations. Additionally, N1 individuals are better at grasping more complex and abstract sentences, as well as understanding the meanings of longer sentences compared to N2 speakers.

Whether you are trying to get a job or gain acceptance to a school in Japan, having N1 level proficiency significantly helps, as it proves that you have a high level of Japanese language skills.

Especially if you are trying to work in situations where you need to speak Japanese daily with a high level of professionalism—such as interpreting, translating, consulting for Japanese clients, administrative positions that involve creating contracts and documents, front desk roles at hotels, and selling high-value products—you are often required to have N1 level Japanese skills. Additionally, having N1 proficiency is ideal for gaining acceptance into graduate school.

It is also beneficial to have N1 proficiency to obtain Designated Activities Visa 46, which allows you to stay in Japan for a while to seek employment after graduating from university or graduate school, as well as to earn points for highly skilled professionals. For doctors and nurses from overseas trying to take the national examination for physicians or nurses, passing the JLPT N1 level is required beforehand.

Now, let’s explore what the N1 level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is all about.

The total score for the JLPT is 180, with the passing score set at 100.

Each section of the total score for Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar), Reading, and Listening is 60 points.

Although the passing score is 100, to pass the exam, you must have at least 19 points in each section: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar), Reading, and Listening. “For example, if you earn 50 points in Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading, but only 15 points in Listening, you will fail the exam. So, it’s important to note that.

The latest data shows that the passing percentage for examinees is between 30% and 35%.

In the N1 exam, there are 100 minutes allotted for Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading, and 55 minutes for Listening.

Since Language Knowledge includes Vocabulary/Grammar and Reading, which must be completed in the same amount of time, it’s important to pay attention to time management.

For the vocabulary section, there are typically 23 to 25 questions. These include questions about how to read kanji, but there are no questions on how to write them. The vocabulary tested is familiar and commonly used in work or school settings. It’s advisable to learn the meaning of each word along with short texts or example sentences.

1. Choose the reading of the kanji. Please answer the underlined reading.

Example: 私の甥は今年大学を卒業した。
(Watashino oiwa kotoshi daigakuwo sotugyoushita
: My nephew graduated from university this year.)
①めい（mei）　②いとこ（itoko）　③おい（oi）　④だん（dan）
(Answer: ③)

2. Contextual Vocabulary Selection:
Choose the appropriate vocabulary to fill in the blank (________).

Example: 市民の（　　　）を持った政治家になりたいと思う。
(Shiminno （　　　）wo motta seizikani naritaito omou
I want to become a politician with a (________) for the citizens.)

①欠点(ketten) – flaw
②得点 (tokuten) – score
③争点(sōten) – point of contention
④視点 (shiten) – perspective
(Answer: ④)

3. Paraphrasing Definition: Choose the word that has the same meaning as the vocabulary in the sentence.

Example: 空港のカウンターにはキャンセル待ちの列ができた。
(Kukouno kauntaniha kyanserumachino retsuga dekita
: A line for standby for cancellations formed at the airport counter.)

①取り消し (torikeshi) – cancellation
②目つぶし (metsubushi) – blinding
③削除 (sakujo) – deletion
④予約 (yoyaku) – reservation
(Answer: ①)

4. Usage: Choose the correct usage of the vocabulary from four example sentences.

Example: しぼむ (shibomu) – wilt

①雲がしぼんで雨が降ってきた。
（kumoga shibonde amega huttekita
: The clouds shrank, and it started to rain.）

②この花は朝咲いて、昼にはしぼんでしまう。
（kono hanawa asa saite hiruniha sibondesshimau
: This flower blooms in the morning and wilts by noon.）

③水がしぼんで服がぬれてしまった。
（mizuga shibonde hukuga nureteshimatta
: The water shrank, and my clothes got wet.）

④タオルをよくしぼんで干してください。
（taoruwo yoku shibonde hoshitekudasai
: Please wring out the towel well before hanging it up to dry.）
(Answer: ②)

There are about 20 questions in the grammar section, with three different types of question formats. I recommend that you practice using question workbooks repeatedly. It’s key to complete this section as quickly as possible to save more time for the reading section.

1. Grammar Form Judgement: Choose the best option to fill in the blank (________).

Example: 子どもたちは肉が焼ける (________)どんどん食べた。
（kodomotachiwa nikuga yakeru (________) dondontabeta
: The children kept eating (________) the meat was cooked.）

①たびから (tabi kara) – from the time
②そばから (soba kara) – as soon as
③うちに (uchi ni) – while
④.(nimo kakawarazu) – despite
(Answer: ②)

2. Sentence Construction: Rearrange the order to form a sentence that makes sense.

Example: 富士山は＿＿＿　＿＿＿　　★　　＿＿＿　＿＿＿でにぎわう。
（Fujisanwa ＿＿＿　＿＿＿　　★　　＿＿＿　＿＿＿de nigiwau）

①大勢の (ōzei no) – many
②シーズン (shīzun) – season
③登山客(tozankyaku) – climbers
④ともなると (tomo naru to) – once it arrives
(Answer: ①)

3. Sentence Grammar: Choose the expression that fits the flow of the sentence.

Example: 国へ帰る（A）帰る（B）一言言ってくれればよかった（C）なにも言わずにいなくなってしまったなんてさびしい（D）だ。
（kunie kaeru （A）kaeru（B）hitokoto ittekurereba yokatta（C）nanimo iwazuni inakunatteshimattanante sabishii（D）da
: If you were going to go back to your country, it would have been nice if you had just said something. It’s so sad that you left without saying anything.）

A：
①しか(shika) – only
②たび (tabi) – every time
③なら (nara) – if
④ところで (tokorode) – by the way
(Answer: ③)

B：
①とは (towa) – is/means
②で (de) – at/in
③はず (hazu) – supposed to
④とき (toki) – when
(Answer: ②)

C：
①ものを (mono o) – although
②からは (kara wa) – from
③上に (ue ni) – in addition
④ために (tame ni) – for
(Answer: ①)

D：
①とき (toki) – when
②かぎり (kagiri) – to the extent
③べき (beki) – should
④よう(yō) – will
(Answer: ②)

The reading section has about 26 questions. Since there are a lot of questions, it is important to read the sentences quickly and accurately to ensure passing the exam, as well as manage your time effectively. Complete the vocabulary and grammar sections as quickly as possible to save more time for the reading section.

1. Short passage:
You will read a passage of approximately 200 characters. This section contains questions designed to assess your understanding of explanatory texts and instructions.

2. Medium-length passage:
You will read a passage of approximately 500 characters. This section focuses on understanding the causal relationships and reasons in essays and explanatory texts.

3. Long passage:
You will read a passage of approximately 1000 characters. This section includes explanatory texts, essays, and novels, asking questions about the main ideas and the author’s viewpoints. Each passage typically has 2 to 3 questions related to it.

4. Synthesis Comprehension:
You will read more than two passages and compare them, identifying commonalities and differences.

5. Main Idea Comprehension:
You will read an abstract, logical passage of approximately 1000 characters to understand the author’s claims and opinions. Each passage typically contains 2 to 3 questions related to the content.

6. Information Retrieval:
You will read ads, emails, business texts, or notices, seeking to find the necessary information within them. Recently, it has become more common to encounter emails as passages.

There are about 30 questions, lasting 55 minutes, so you need to maintain focus for a long period. It’s important to get accustomed to the volume of questions. After the listening announcement ends, you must immediately return the answer sheet—please note that there is no time to rewrite answers from your notes.

1. Task Comprehension:
You will pick one correct answer from four sentences, focusing on questions like “What will they do next?” You will choose one correct answer from four sentences, focusing on “Why did/do they do that?”

2. Point understanding
You will choose one correct answer from four sentences, focusing on “Why did/do they do that?”

3. General Understanding:
In this section, you’ll listen to an announcement and understand its meaning. There are no questions beforehand. After the announcement, you’ll hear a question and four answer choices. Pick the correct answer after hearing everything.

4. Immediate Response:
You’ll listen to a short passage, followed by three possible replies. Choose the most appropriate response.

5. Integrated Understanding:
There is nothing written on the question sheet. You will listen to long explanatory texts or conversations. You will be asked questions like, “What did they decide to do?” or “Which option do you choose?” You need to select one correct answer from four possible options.

To pass the N1 level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), follow these steps:

1. Keep studying.
2. Understand the questions you got wrong or didn’t understand.
3. Know the key points to be able to answer questions quickly and accurately.

At TCJ, we offer various levels for each learner aiming to pass the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test at every level, so you will find the perfect class that suits your language proficiency. In each class, you can ask teachers about any concepts you don’t understand and continue reviewing your mistakes until you achieve your goals. We believe that TCJ’s classes will serve as your pace-setter.

・Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Official Site
https://www.jlpt.jp/

・Immigration Services Agency
Site on preferential treatment under the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional Points System
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/newimmiact_3_index.html

・Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Information on qualifications for the National Medical Examination
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/2012/05/tp0525-01.html

・「日本語能力試験ベスト模試JLPTN1」
“Best Practice Tests for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N1”
Published by The Japan Times, Ltd. (First Edition, 2019)

・「日本語能力試験　模試と対策N1」
“Practice Tests and Strategies for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N1”
Published by ASK Publishing Co., Ltd. (Fifth Edition, 2012)

・「日本語能力試験TRYN1」
“Japanese-Language Proficiency Test TRY N1”
Published by ASK Publishing Co., Ltd. (Twelfth Edition, 2023)

・「とりあえず日本語能力試験対策」
“Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Preparation for Beginners”
Published by Coco Publishing (First Edition, 2021)

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