JLPT Passing Score: Pass Marks for N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5
By the Kantan JLPT team · Updated · 3 min read
Quick answer: Every JLPT level is scored out of 180. To pass, you need 80 (N5), 90 (N4), 95 (N3), 90 (N2) or 100 (N1) in total, and you must reach the minimum score in every section. Miss a sectional minimum and you fail, even with a high total.
For the bigger picture, from registration to results, see the complete JLPT guide. To see which sections and question types these scores come from, read our JLPT test format guide.
JLPT pass marks by level
| Level | Sections (score range) | Total pass mark | Sectional minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| N1 | Language knowledge 0–60, Reading 0–60, Listening 0–60 | 100 / 180 | 19 per section |
| N2 | Language knowledge 0–60, Reading 0–60, Listening 0–60 | 90 / 180 | 19 per section |
| N3 | Language knowledge 0–60, Reading 0–60, Listening 0–60 | 95 / 180 | 19 per section |
| N4 | Language knowledge + Reading 0–120, Listening 0–60 | 90 / 180 | 38 and 19 |
| N5 | Language knowledge + Reading 0–120, Listening 0–60 | 80 / 180 | 38 and 19 |
Figures as published by the JLPT organizers at the time of writing. Check the official JLPT website before your exam.
Why people fail with a good total score
You have to clear two bars to pass:
- The total pass mark for your level, and
- The sectional minimum in every section.
For example, an N2 test taker who scores 50 in language knowledge, 45 in reading and 17 in listening has 112 points, well above the 90 needed. They still fail, because 17 is below the listening minimum of 19.
How JLPT scaled scoring works
The JLPT doesn't simply count your correct answers. It converts them into scaled scores so results are fair across test dates, even if one test is a little harder than another. The exact formula isn't published.
That means no app, book or website can turn your practice score into your exact JLPT score. The best any practice tool can do is give you an estimate, and a good one will show it as a range.
How many questions do you need to get right?
Because of scaled scoring, there's no fixed number. As a rough rule of thumb, aim for at least 60–65% correct overall in practice tests and no section below about 40%. That gives you a buffer for test-day nerves.
How to study with the pass marks in mind
- Don't neglect listening. It's the section learners skip most, and on its own it can fail you. Even five minutes a day of listening practice adds up.
- Focus on your weakest section, not your average. A great reading score can't rescue a listening score below 19.
- Practice under time limits. Running out of time in the reading section is one of the most common ways to lose points. Timed mock tests train your pacing.
- Sort your mistakes by section. If most of your wrong answers come from one section, that's where your next week of study should go.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good JLPT score?
Anything above the pass mark is a pass, and your certificate doesn't show a grade. A score of 140+ out of 180 is generally seen as a strong result, and some employers and scholarship programs look at your total.
Is the JLPT pass mark the same every year?
The pass marks above have been stable for years, but always confirm on the official JLPT website before your test.
When do JLPT results come out?
Usually about two months after the test. Online results come first, and certificates arrive later by mail.
Check your score before test day
After every mock test, Kantan JLPT gives you an estimated score for each section and warns you if a section is below its minimum. Your wrong answers go into a mistake notebook grouped by section, so you know exactly what to work on next. Not sure which level to take? Read JLPT levels explained.