How Long Does It Take To Reach JLPT N5?

Planning to take the JLPT N5 exam and eager to know how long does it take to reach JLPT N5? Well, I’ve evaluated the sections comprised in JLPT N5 and how long you should allocate for each section. Check out a revised study plan for JLPT N5 below!

Japanese Language Proficiency Test is the exam every non-Japanese must sit for if they’re considering moving to Japan for employment. JLPT exams are segmented into 5 tests, each test based on the difficulty of the language.

 JLPT N5 is the introductory test for beginners in the Japanese language and we’re here to see the duration for studying JLPT N5 down below!

How Long Does It Take To Reach JLPT N5?

JLPT N5 consists of three sections that can possibly be studied within 4 months if you’ve reserved sufficient time for thoroughly studying and revising JLPT N5 practice materials and textbooks.

How Long Will It Take To Study JLPT N5?

   

JLPT N5 is the beginner’s level exam for those who’re seeking to study Japanese. Anyone who’s sat for the JLPT exams would state that it was the easiest exam of all.

This is because level N5 consists of subject elements that are easy on the new Japanese learners hence correspondingly most of them find it convenient to study and sit for the JLPT N5 components in comparison to the rest of the JLPT levels.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to take the process of studying for JLPT N5 lightly, particularly if you have no prior experience in the Japanese language.

Learning any language is a challenge on its own and given that the Japanese language has over 2000 letters and 3 different writing systems make the Japanese language is even harder to learn.

Nevertheless, stepping on the JLPT N5 has paved the way for you to learn Japanese in a proper structure. As someone who has sat for the JLPT N5 exams by self-studying, it took me nearly 4 months to study the entire components on the JLPT N5 level. 

As a matter of fact, the study period is prone to alter depending on the previous experience of an individual in the Japanese language as well as the number of hours you dedicate to studying each element. 

Therefore, you must initially prepare a thorough study scheme for every subject on the JLPT N5 curriculum. With this study scheme, you’ll be able to have a projected time frame.

• Related: Where To Study Japanese Online For JLPT N5? 

Sections In The JLPT N5 Curriculum

Exams in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test consist of 5 levels and each level is sectioned into two or three portions.

The JLPT N5 test is segmented into 3 sections which are Language Knowledge for Vocabulary, Language Knowledge, and Reading, and the final section for Listening. 

Each of these sections is comprised of subjects of the Japanese language and since we’re looking at the beginner’s level, these components in the JLPT N5 exam are based on the difficulty of a classroom atmosphere.

Therefore, all the components in the JLPT N5 curriculum will ensure that you receive a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the Japanese language.

• Related: Is 3 Months Enough To Study For JLPT N1? 

Here I’ve listed out the sections in JLPT N5 and the components that come under each section. 

1. Language Knowledge for Vocabulary

• Kanji reading
• Spelling (orthography)
• Contextually defined expressions
• Paraphrasing 

2. Language Knowledge for Grammar and Reading

• Sentential grammar
• Composing sentences
• Text grammar
• Comprehension of short passages
• Comprehension of mid-length passages

3. Listening 

• Comprehension based on tasks
• Comprehending essential points
• Verbal expressions
• Quick responses to oral study materials

By studying all the components in the JLPT N5 curriculum you’ll have covered the entire basics of the Japanese language and also be prepared for the final JLPT N5 exam.

• Related: ​​Is 4 Months Enough To Study For JLPT N2?

Study Plan For JLPT N5 Sections (4 months)

Now that we’ve gone through the distinct sections in the JLPT N5 level and the subject matters under each of them, let’s prepare a study plan accordingly.

Since most students completed the JLPT N5 exam in 4 months, it seems to be the most ideal duration to completely study the JLPT N5 level. 

Therefore, I’ve devised a study plan that fits all the components of JLPT N5 within 4 months.  

JLPT N5 Section 1 – Language Knowledge For Vocabulary (1 month)

1 month is more than sufficient to rehearse the basics of the Japanese language. If this is your first time being exposed to Japanese linguistics then you might find it difficult to catch up initially. However, with practice and revisions, you can aim to master a bunch of Japanese alphabets and words.  

Here’s how you can allocate a month for studying the first section of JLPT N5:

1. You ought to learn 100 kanji letters for the N5 level hence it’s best to take a week to learn how to read the kanji letters.

2. Learning how to spell will take at least a week to master if you study at least 8 hours per day.

3. Contextually defined expressions will take up the 3rd week to learn and practice. However, you must be cautious here because you should learn how to write basic sentences with the correct spelling.

4. Paraphrasing will utilize the last week of the month as you’ll rehearse how to reword sentences and use innovative Japanese vocabulary for beginners.

JLPT N5 Section 2 – Language Knowledge For Grammar And Reading (2 months)

The second section of the JLPT N5 tests on grammar and reading of the Japanese language.

I would suggest taking 2 months to rehearse through the grammar portion of the JLPT N5 level because this includes excessive writing and training. In addition, learning how to read will also consume a great deal of time as well. 

1. Sentential grammar is the initial element you’ll learn in the second section of JLPT N5. In this, you’ll be studying how to use the right participles and tenses in sentences. This will take 2 weeks to master as you must learn through all the tenses, punctuations, etc.

2. The next component is composing sentences which is an intricate matter. However, once you’ve learned the grammar portions you can rehearse how to write short sentences. Allocating 2 weeks for this will allow you to learn it thoroughly. 

3. Text grammar will include studying several sentences of texts and understanding how they were put together and within 2 weeks’ time you can grasp the technique of text grammar.

4. You can take 1 week to read and understand short passages. You’ll already be able to read kanji letters for a beginner thus this shouldn’t be tough.

5. The final week is when you can learn how to read mid-length passages. If you’ve mastered how to read short passages in a week or less then you can pick up reading medium passages with the rest of the time.

JLPT N5 Section – Listening (1 month)

The final section is the Listening portion of the JLPT N5 level. This section only consists of a few subject components. However, I would advise you to comprehensively learn and expose yourself to more oral content in the Japanese language during this month so that you can grasp more creative details. 

1. Task-based comprehension is the first component in the listening section of JLPT N5. You ought to learn how to understand basic Japanese terms and phrases in tasks. Take a week to learn and understand Japanese words and phrases when listening to Japanese tasks.

2. The second component is understanding key points when listening to oral materials in Japanese. This is a vital component in this section thus I would suggest taking 2 weeks to master this.

3. Catching up verbal expressions and quick responses are the final components of the listening section in the JLPT N5. Since you’ll only be left with 1 week, I would say it’s sufficient to learn how to give quick responses and comprehend verbal expressions.

Textbooks For JLPT N5

There are countless textbooks and practice materials for JLPT N5 that are worth investing in if you prefer to be downright with the basics. I have benefited greatly from a bunch of JLPT N5 books that either feature one or all components from the JLPT N5 level. I’ve reviewed a few of them below.

1000 Essential Vocabulary For JLPT N5 – This book will always be my first recommendation for beginners in the Japanese language. As the title suggests, it comes with 1000 Japanese vocabulary that are essential for everyday life in Japan.

The vocabulary words are structured into distinct themes like school, work, food, lifestyle, etc.

This aspect of the book makes it intriguing to learn Japanese vocabulary. When I was taking my N5 test I found it convenient to understand and grasp several Japanese vocabularies without a hassle with the help of this structure.

There are also guidelines and translations in the English language hence you don’t have to fret about not understanding what the book says.

Nihongo Fun And Easy – Nihongo Fun and Easy is a self-study book that’s specifically developed for beginners in the Japanese language.

If you’re worried you might find it tough to grasp Japanese then I suggest you start with this book as it contains Japanese texts with kanji, hiragana, and katakana letters. And if you’re not proficient with the letters, there are also romaji and English translations to assist you. 

With a massive grammar list of adjectives, verbs, nouns, and conjugations, the Nihongo Fun and Easy will hands down come as a book that’s resourceful for all the sections in JLPT N5. It also comes with an audio CD that aids you to learn Japanese phrases with English translations.

JLPT N5 Listening Comprehension Points & Practice – The Points & Practice N5 book is particularly devised for those who wish to enhance their Japanese listening and comprehension skills. This book is structured with 12 chapters of questions that appear on the JLPT N5 exam including a mock test and a list of common Japanese expressions.

Every question in this book is accompanied by English translations for those who have trouble reading and understanding Japanese. I would highly recommend this book if you feel like you haven’t had enough practice with listening and comprehension in Japanese. The mock test in the Points & Practice book along with the questions are opportune and prepare you excellently for the actual JLPT N5 exam.

Also Read

• Can You Self Study For JLPT?
• Is Gokaku Dekiru JLPT N2 Textbook Good For Practice?