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What is the best way to prepare for JLPT N5?

To prepare for JLPT N5: learn hiragana and katakana, the 711 words of the N5 list with their 447 kanji, basic grammar (particles, です/ます forms, the te-form), and practise listening to slow, simple Japanese. Do official sample questions from jlpt.jp before the test.

What N5 tests

N5 measures “the ability to understand some basic Japanese”. It has three sections: language knowledge (vocabulary), language knowledge (grammar) and reading, and listening. In Japan it is held in July and December; check jlpt.jp for dates and test sites in your country.

Step-by-step plan

  1. Hiragana, then katakana.
  2. The N5 vocabulary list with spaced repetition – a few new words every day.
  3. Grammar: particles, は vs が, te-form, and verb forms with the conjugator.
  4. Test yourself: N5 vocabulary quiz and N5 kanji quiz.
  5. Listening: beginner podcasts or graded audio, a few minutes daily.
  6. Do the official sample questions under time pressure.

Sources

  • Japan Foundation & JEES, Japanese-Language Proficiency Test – level summary and test sections (jlpt.jp).

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Last reviewed 2026-10-09 by the I Love Kanji team.