Level N5-N1- What Level Do You Need to Study in Japan?

All Indian students who intend to study in Japan come against the same wall of questions. Do I need Japanese? Which JLPT level is required to study in Japan? Am I able to get by with English alone? What is the difference between JLPT N5 N4 N3 N2 N1?

You are going to get all the answers out of you - plain, straight and down to the ground.

The most recognised Japanese language certification in the world is the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). It has a direct effect on university admissions, student visa applications and eligibility to scholarships throughout Japan. It is a prerequisite that any Indian student who may wish to study there must understand it.

This blog will discuss all the levels starting with JLPT N5 to N1, what level you should be at, and provide you with the definite course of action. Let's get into it. 

 What Is the JLPT and Why Does It Matter?

JLPT is a test conducted around the world by the Japan foundation. In India, it is held six times a year, in July and in December, in the big cities. It has five levels in which the N5 level of JLPT is the easiest and N1 is the highest level. No speaking part is involved - it is a reading / listening test only.

What is the significance to the Indian students?

• University Admission - Japanese universities have minimum JLPT scores required on Japanese-media programs.

• Student Visa - It is optional but having proven Japanese proficiency by the way of JLPT would make your application for a Japan study visa a lot more robust.

• Scholarships - A number of Japan scholarship for Indian students programs prefer certified Japanese speakers.

JLPT N5 N4 N3 N2 N1 Meaning- Each Level Explanation.

JLPT N5 - The Starting Point.

JLPT N5 is the basic level of Japanese. JLPT N5 syllabus is approximately 100 kanji and 800 vocabulary words. The n5 japanese test comprises of grammar, reading, and listening (JLPT N5). N5 in Japanese reading practice is simple passages that are short. The n5 test in the system is the test on the 100 most important characters and the n5 vocabulary list is a list of common words used in everyday life such as family, food, and common verbs.

The optimal method of preparation is to practice with JLPT N5 sample papers and JLPT N5 question papers which can be found on the official JLPT website. You can prepare in 3-4 months with a good japanese n5 course or n5 japanese book such as Minna no Nihongo.

JLPT N5 exam fees in India: Approximately ₹1,558 to ₹2,200. Register at the official portal - the only valid JLPT registration site among Indian students.

Time to prepare: 150-200 hours of study time starting at zero.

To study in Japan: N5 will not give you a university place; although it is a sure, and necessary, preliminary.

N4 Elementary Communication.

N4 Japanese implies that you are able to deal with simple, predictable dialogues and comprehend simple instructions. JLPT N4 syllabus is extended to about 300 kanji and 1,500 vocabulary words. The n4 vocabulary list is more inclusive of every day phrases. The best preparation tools to use in the n4 exam are practising JLPT N4 past papers, and the JLPT N4 vocabulary test sections of past papers.

Time to prepare: 300-400 hours of overall study.

To study in Japan: Some schools of Japanese language can accept N4 as an entry level. To be directly admitted to the university, you'll need higher.

JLPT N3-The Turning Point.

The N3 level of Japanese is the level at which Japanese is actually applicable in academics and social contexts. The n3 japanese exam has approximately 650 kanji and 3750 vocabulary words. The n3 list of kanji contains the characters in newspapers and scholarly materials - a significant leap in comparison to N4. The n3 test reading of Japan has longer passages with inferential comprehension tests.

Estimated study hours: 450-600 hours to prepare.

To study in Japan: N3 is the minimum requirement in a few Japanese-medium programs and most language school programs. N2 is however the norm towards full university admission.

JLPT N2 - The University Gateway.

N2 is the level to which most Indian students studying in Japan aspire to achieve, and the most frequently quoted minimum JLPT score to obtain an acceptance to a university in Japan in a Japanese-language program.

At N2, you will be able to comprehend Japanese in a large variety of circumstances - in lectures, in the newspaper, and in work conversations. The comparison of JLPT N2 vs N3 to study in Japan is not that difficult: N3 opens a few doors, N2 opens most of them. When you are planning to apply to a Japanese-media postgraduate or undergraduate degree, N2 is your best possible minimum.

Time of preparation: 600-900 hours of study. The majority of students attain N2 in 18-24 months of study with systematic study of Japanese as a first language.

JLPT N1 The Master Level.

N1 is the top certification of JLPT. In this level, you know Japanese in just about any situation, complex scholarly writing, fast speech and professional language. N2 is well-suited in most of the study-in-Japan scenarios. N1 is aimed at students who want to attend highly competitive Japanese-medium courses or professional corporations in Japan.

Time to prepare: 900 to 1200 or more hours of study.

What is Your Real JLPT Level?

The ultimate answer depending on program type can be found here:

Programs on English-Medium — No JLPT is necessary at all. Best universities such as University of Tokyo, Tokyo Tech and Waseda have full English medium degrees. Then can you study in Japan without JLPT or Japanese language? Yes, of course,--when you want English-medium.

Japanese Language Schools -N4 or N5 is acceptable as the entry point.

Undergraduate or graduate programs taught in Japanese N2 is the typical JLPT level needed to obtain university admission in Japan.

Japanese-Medium Programs of high competitiveness - N1 is preferred.

Best JLPT level to study in Japan in general: N2 - it meets the requirements of the vast majority of universities, and it is within a realistic time frame.

JLPT level of study engineering in Japan: In English-medium engineering courses (most of the best Japanese universities have such courses), no JLPT is required. In the case of Japanese-medium engineering -N2 minimum, N1 a stronger application.

Student Visa Japan, Japanese Language Requirement.

One of the most prevalent myths - you do not need a JLPT certificate to obtain a Japan study visa. The student visa Japan Japanese language requirement is not an official JLPT score. The main criteria on which your visa is issued are your university admission letter, financial evidence and a good purpose of study.

That being said, in case your program is Japanese-medium, a N2 or higher will make you a trusted applicant and your applications will be considerably less problematic.

Authority visa site: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa6.html

Embassy of Japan in India: https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html

Why YaStudy Is the Smartest First Step ?

It is one thing to know what the difference between JLPT N5 N4 N3 N2 N1 is. Determine what level you want yourself, what university you want to apply to, how to balance JLPT coaching to study in Japan and your current studies, and how to create a strong application; that is where most students lose.

Yastudy is just the solution to this - and it is free to students. It is a study abroad consultancy that offers end-to-end support to their students and that too at free.

Yes, no consultation fees. No processing charges. No hidden costs. Ever. Yastudy does not charge from their students but from their partner universities and this implies that whatever recommendation you are given is always in your best interest, and not influenced by commission.

This is what Yastudy can provide free of charge:

• JLPT Clarity — Yastudy counselors will inform you which level of JLPT you need to study in Japan as an Indian student regarding your target program and will save you months of guesswork.

• University Matching - Yastudy will find you the best institution according to your profile and budget, whether you require an English-language program (no JLPT required) or a Japanese-language program (N2 target).

• Scholarship Support — Complete information on how to use Japan scholarship for Indian students programs such as MEXT, free of charge.

• Visa Documentation — Full Support in the knowledge of the Japanese language requirement of student visa Japan and preparing your application file in the proper manner.

• JLPT Coaching References — Yastudy connects you with reputable JLPT coaching to study in Japan resources to ensure that you are studying the right material on the right level.

Yastudy is located in Noida and is trusted by hundreds of Indian students who have just one reason to do so, they do exactly what they promise, and everything is transparent and no financial surprise.

Rapid Preparation of JLPT.

Official sample papers - JLPT N5 sample papers, JLPT N4 past papers and n3 japanese test past papers are free at their website.

Learn vocabulary in a sequence - List n5 vocabulary list, list n4 vocabulary list, list n3 kanji list with spaced repetition tools such as Anki to ensure maximum learning.

Register in time- Register for JLPT exam India at JLPT’s official portal at the earliest. Popular cities fill up quickly in July and December sessions.

Regularity prevails — An hour per day of study is better than cramming on the weekend. Organized practice on a daily basis in vocabulary, JLPT N5 grammar and listening yields much better results.

Final Word

The meaning ladder of JLPT N5 N4 N3 N2 N1 is not difficult when you see the whole picture. N5 lays the groundwork. N4 builds communication. N3 develops academic preparedness. N2 opens the doors of universities. N1 signals mastery.

N2 is the goal of most Indian students, attainable, potent and popular. And even in English-media programs, you need not have JLPT.

Anyhow, Japan is waiting and with the help of right consultancy like Yastudy you will be able to achieve your dream of studying in Japan.