JLPT 日本語能力試験

JLPT N2: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR level

Read clearly written texts on a variety of topics and follow near-natural speech in everyday and varied settings.

The short answer

JLPT N2 is an upper level: everyday Japanese plus newspapers and conversations on a wide range of topics, often required by employers. This page shows the kanji and vocabulary targets, test sections, pass marks, estimated study hours and the approximate CEFR equivalent.

6000Words

1000Kanji

155Minutes

CEFR (approx.)

B1–B2

How official is that?

official reference ranges, score-dependent (see JLPT CEFR reference)

Pass mark

90/180

Sections

Language knowledge and reading 105 min; listening 50 min. Pass: 90/180 with at least 19/60 in each section

Notes

Vocab/kanji counts are community estimates; JLPT has published no official lists since 2010

Kungfucius says: The employer's favourite. Visa points start here.

How it compares

JLPT N2 ≈ CEFR B2official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: N2 112+ = B2, but a pass of 90–111 = B1. Add an N2 to CEFR B1 row.

JLPT N2 ≈ CEFR B1official reference, score-dependentJLPT reference: a pass at the lower end of the JLPT N2 score range is reported as B1.

Keep reading

/tests/jlpt/n3//tests/jlpt/n1//tests/jlpt/study-plan//tests/jlpt-to-cefr/