JLPT Level : Should I take N3 or N4? The complete decision guide

2025/06/13

Deciding which level to take between JLPT N3 and N4 requires careful consideration of your study timeline, academic/career goals, and current Japanese proficiency. 

This guide examines the key differences between N4 and N3, compares study requirements and timelines, and provides honest advice to help you determine which level aligns with your objectives.

JLPT N4 vs N3: Key Differences

The differences between JLPT N4 and N3 are significant and go well beyond adding more vocabulary. These levels represent fundamentally different phases of language acquisition.

JLPT N4 Requirements

• 330 kanji characters covering basic daily life concepts
• 2,000 vocabulary words focusing on fundamental communication
• Essential grammar patterns including basic verb conjugations and particle usage
• Reading comprehension of simple texts with furigana support
• Listening skills for slow-paced everyday conversations

JLPT N3 Requirements

• 650 kanji characters 
• 4,000 vocabulary words 
• Complex grammar structures including keigo (honorific language) and nuanced expressions
• Reading comprehension without furigana assistance
• Natural-speed conversation comprehension across varied contexts

Studying hours between N4 and N3

Understanding the time investment for each level helps set realistic expectations. Reaching JLPT N4 from beginner level typically requires 6-9 months of regular study, while studying from N4 to N3 demands an additional 6-10 months of dedicated preparation.

The time needed from JLPT N4 to N3 varies by study intensity. Intensive learners can achieve this progression in 4-6 months, learning approximately 18-20 new vocabulary items daily. Regular study schedules generally require 8-12 months for solid N3 preparation. Overall, reaching N3 from zero takes 15-20 months compared to N4’s 6-9 month timeline.

Pass rate between the 2 levels

JLPT N4 percent pass rate consistently hovers around 35-40% globally, while N3 maintains similar statistical outcomes despite increased difficulty. This apparent paradox occurs because N3 test-takers generally arrive better prepared, having either completed N4 or studied equivalent foundational material.

However, the absolute difficulty increase means that inadequate preparation results in higher failure rates among students who underestimate the N3 challenge. The vocabulary density and grammar complexity create particular obstacles for learners accustomed to N4’s more predictable patterns.

How hard is N3 compared to N4?

N3 presents a significantly higher difficulty level than N4, beyond simply adding more content. N4 covers vocabulary and grammar that appear in 75% of daily conversations, while N3 brings this coverage to 90%. The challenge is that this new N3 content appears less frequently in real-life situations, making it considerably harder to retain.

While N4 tests individual knowledge points, N3 requires integrated language skills where you must process multiple concepts simultaneously. Grammar becomes more complex as you need to understand how different patterns work together within the same sentence. Reading shifts from texts with furigana support to authentic materials with longer sentences and cultural references.

In which case is it worth taking JLPT N4?

JLPT N4 is worth taking in specific situations where time constraints or confidence building are priorities. If you have application deadlines within 6-8 months or need immediate certification for academic programs or immigration purposes, N4 provides an achievable target. For those with limited time, Nihongo Online School’s 150-hour course can help students reach N5 or N4 level depending on their prerequisites within a few months to meet application deadlines. 

Students who feel uncertain about their foundational Japanese skills also benefit from N4’s structured approach, as passing builds confidence before attempting higher levels. However, career opportunities remain limited with N4, mainly opening doors to English teaching assistant roles, basic customer service positions, and entry-level tourism jobs rather than professional positions requiring substantial Japanese proficiency.

In which case is it worth taking JLPT N3?

JLPT N3 is worth taking when you’re planning to live, study, or work in Japan with meaningful independence. For daily life in Japan, N3 provides the language foundation needed for banking, healthcare visits, apartment rentals, and workplace communication without constant assistance.

If you’re considering Japanese university education, N3 qualifies you for preparatory courses and some specialized programs, though most undergraduate programs still require N2 for direct admission. Career prospects improve dramatically with N3, opening opportunities in language teaching, international company roles, and office positions that N4 simply cannot access. 

Can you skip JLPT N4 level and go straight to N3?

The JLPT system allows taking any level regardless of previous certifications, and many successful candidates bypass N4 entirely. This strategy makes sense for students with 12+ months of consistent Japanese study who have a solid foundation in basic grammar and vocabulary. 

Goal-oriented learners targeting employment, university admission, or immigration particularly benefit from focusing directly on N3, as it meets actual requirements while N4 offers limited real-world utility beyond personal or academic milestones.

How fast can you get to N3?

How fast can you get to N3 depends significantly on your study intensity and learning environment:

• High-intensity study: 12-18 months from absolute beginner to N3 by studying 6-8 hours daily
• Standard progression: 18-24 months for solid N3 preparation studying 2-3 hours daily

JLPT N4 from zero typically requires 6-9 months, followed by additional 6-12 months for N3 advancement, giving a total realistic timeframe of 15-20 months for most learners. 

How to self study for JLPT N3 without getting N4?

Focus on the 320 additional kanji and 2,000 extra vocabulary words that separate N4 from N3. Since these words appear in only 15% of daily conversations, use active recall techniques and review them every 2-3 days to combat natural forgetting.

Practice grammar integration immediately. Read authentic materials without furigana from day one, and listen to natural-speed conversations rather than textbook audio. Focus on keigo basics and workplace expressions that frequently appear in N3 but are absent from N4.

For comprehensive textbook recommendations, detailed study schedules, and specific practice strategies, check out our complete JLPT N3 Study Guide.