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Scoring, pass marks, and score reports
Scoring sections and score ranges
Test results are reported per scoring section (which differ from the test sections for N1–N3):
| Level | Scoring sections | Range |
|---|---|---|
| N1 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) | 0–60 |
| N1 | Reading | 0–60 |
| N1 | Listening | 0–60 |
| N1 | Total | 0–180 |
| N2 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) | 0–60 |
| N2 | Reading | 0–60 |
| N2 | Listening | 0–60 |
| N2 | Total | 0–180 |
| N3 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) | 0–60 |
| N3 | Reading | 0–60 |
| N3 | Listening | 0–60 |
| N3 | Total | 0–180 |
| N4 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading | 0–120 |
| N4 | Listening | 0–60 |
| N4 | Total | 0–180 |
| N5 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar)・Reading | 0–120 |
| N5 | Listening | 0–60 |
| N5 | Total | 0–180 |
Correspondence: for N1/N2, the single Language Knowledge・Reading test section is split into two scoring sections (Language Knowledge and Reading). For N3, the Vocabulary section feeds Language Knowledge and the Grammar・Reading section feeds Reading. For N4/N5, Vocabulary plus Grammar・Reading form one combined scoring section.
Pass/fail determination
To pass you must satisfy both conditions:
- Total score at or above the overall pass mark, and
- Score in each scoring section at or above the sectional pass mark.
If any one scoring section is below the sectional pass mark, you fail no matter how high the total is.
| Level | Overall pass mark (of 180) | Sectional pass marks |
|---|---|---|
| N1 | 100 points | 19/60 in each of the three sections |
| N2 | 90 points | 19/60 in each of the three sections |
| N3 | 95 points | 19/60 in each of the three sections |
| N4 | 90 points | 38/120 (Language Knowledge・Reading), 19/60 (Listening) |
| N5 | 80 points | 38/120 (Language Knowledge・Reading), 19/60 (Listening) |
These standards were adopted from the July 2010 test (December 2010 for N4/N5).
Scaled scores
- JLPT scores are scaled scores calculated with item-response theory (IRT) so that equivalent performance yields the same score across years and test difficulty levels. Raw scores are not reported directly.
- Score reports include "Reference Information" bands showing whether your raw score in each area was ≥67%, 34–66%, or <34% (areas: vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening — bands for N4/N5 cover vocabulary, grammar, and reading; N1–N3 cover vocabulary and grammar only, not reading).
- Since July 2016, certificates of examinees who passed overseas include a percentile rank (your position among examinees over the latest six tests), excluding examinees exempt from the Listening section.
Reports and certificates
- All examinees receive a Score Report; successful examinees additionally receive a Certificate of Proficiency.
- Missing a required test section = judged failed; the Score Report then shows asterisks (e.g. **/60) for all sections, including ones you sat. No Score Report is issued to those who did not take the test at all.
- From the December 2025 test, score reports include the corresponding CEFR level (see overview).
Sources
- https://www.jlpt.jp/e/guideline/results.html — scoring sections, pass marks, score report rules (verified via Wayback Machine 2025-01-14 snapshot)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese-Language_Proficiency_Test — IRT and reference-band detail (cross-checked)