JLPT 日本語能力試験
JLPT N5: requirements, vocabulary and CEFR level
Read typical expressions and sentences in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji; catch key information in short, slowly spoken conversations.
The short answer
JLPT N5 is the easiest level: basic Japanese in hiragana, katakana and simple kanji. This page shows the kanji and vocabulary targets, test sections, pass marks, estimated study hours and the approximate CEFR equivalent.
CEFR (approx.)
A1
How official is that?
official reference ranges, score-dependent (see JLPT CEFR reference)
Pass mark
80/180
Sections
Vocabulary 20 min; grammar and reading 40 min; listening 30 min. Pass: 80/180 with at least 38/120 in language knowledge and reading and 19/60 in listening
Notes
Vocab/kanji counts are community estimates; JLPT has published no official lists since 2010
Kungfucius says: The level where you discover katakana was invented specifically to humble you.
How it compares