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JLPT N2
What N2 certifies
The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree.
- Reading: read materials written clearly on a variety of topics — newspaper/magazine articles and commentaries, simple critiques; follow narratives and understand writers' intent.
- Listening: comprehend coherent conversations and news reports at nearly natural speed in everyday and varied settings; understand relationships among people and essential points.
Test structure
| Test section | Time |
|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading | 105 min |
| Listening | 50 min |
| Total | 155 min |
Scoring and pass mark
- Scoring sections: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) (0–60) + Reading (0–60) + Listening (0–60) = 0–180 total.
- Pass: total ≥ 90 points AND ≥ 19 points in each of the three scoring sections.
Item types at this level
- Vocabulary (6 types — the most of any level): Kanji reading; Orthography; Word formation (unique to N2: derivative and compound words); Contextually-defined expressions; Paraphrases; Usage.
- Grammar (3 types): Sentential grammar 1; Sentential grammar 2; Text grammar.
- Reading (5 types): Short passages (≈200 characters); Mid-size passages (≈500 characters, causal relations/reasons/outline/author's ideas); Integrated comprehension (multiple texts, ≈600 total); Thematic comprehension (≈900 characters, reviews with clear logical development); Information retrieval (≈700 characters: ads, brochures, magazines, business documents). Note: N2 has no standalone "long passage" type.
- Listening (5 types): Task-based comprehension; Comprehension of key points; Comprehension of general outline; Quick response; Integrated comprehension (comparison and integration of multiple information sources in relatively long speech — N2 and N1 only). No Verbal expressions at this level.
Question counts (approximate, official composition)
Counts are the official guideline per sitting (小問数); the actual number varies slightly. The 2018 Official Practice Workbook confirms Grammar = 22.
- Vocabulary (32): Kanji reading 5; Orthography 5; Word formation 5; Contextually-defined expressions 7; Paraphrases 5; Usage 5.
- Grammar (22): Sentential grammar 1 — 12; Sentential grammar 2 — 5; Text grammar — 5.
- Reading (21): Short passages 5; Mid-size passages 9; Integrated comprehension 2; Thematic comprehension 3; Information retrieval 2.
- Listening (32): Task-based comprehension 5; Comprehension of key points 6; Comprehension of general outline 5; Quick response 12; Integrated comprehension 4.
Practical notes
- N2 is a common target for work/immigration purposes in Japan.
- N2 vocabulary is the only level that tests word formation.
- Prep: official sample questions and the Official Practice Workbook (Vol.1/Vol.2) cover this level.