Do you have to take the JLPT certification in order?

2025/07/06

Do you have to take JLPT in order from N5 to N1, or can you jump directly to the level that matches your abilities? This is one of the most common questions among Japanese learners planning their certification journey. 

This guide will help you understand when taking levels sequentially makes sense and when skipping might be the smarter strategy.

General JLPT requirements from JLPT N5 to JLPT N1

Before choosing which JLPT level to attempt, you need to understand the JLPT requirements for each level and what they actually test from candidates.

N5 starts with 150 kanji and 500-750 words for basic conversations. N4 doubles to 250 kanji and 1,500 words with everyday expressions. N3 jumps to 500 kanji and 2,500 words, becoming the minimum for part-time jobs in Japan. N2 requires 1,000 kanji and 5,000 words for professional use and full-time employment. N1 peaks at 2,000 kanji and 10,000 words with near-native proficiency.

Each level roughly doubles the knowledge required, making the N3 to N2 jump much harder than N5 to N4. This exponential growth is important when deciding whether you should take JLPT in order or skip some levels.

Do you need to take all JLPT levels in order?

No, you don’t need to take JLPT levels in sequential order. You can skip levels and directly register for any JLPT level (N5 to N1) that matches your current proficiency. This flexibility exists because the test serves as a proficiency measurement tool rather than a progressive certification program.

The registration process is straightforward and unrestricted. You simply choose your desired level during registration, pay the examination fee, prepare according to that level’s JLPT requirements, and take the test on the scheduled date. There are no prerequisites or requirements to show certificates from lower levels. This means you could theoretically take N1 as your very first JLPT attempt if you feel prepared for that level.

When is taking JLPT in order relevant

For students in language schools and university

Students following structured curriculum programs often benefit from sequential testing as it aligns with their academic progression. Many language schools and university programs design their courses around JLPT levels, making it natural to take tests in order as students complete each corresponding course level.

For job seekers and career development

Regular skill assessment represents another compelling reason for sequential testing, particularly for professionals who need to document continuous improvement for career advancement. Job seekers in competitive markets benefit from showing employers consistent progress and dedication to language learning through multiple certifications. Students applying for scholarships or exchange programs may also need to demonstrate their learning trajectory through documented progression.

For self-taught learners and test-anxious students

Foundation building becomes important for learners who struggle with test-taking anxiety or need to familiarize themselves with JLPT format before attempting higher levels. Self-taught learners particularly benefit from this approach as it helps identify and address knowledge gaps they might not have noticed otherwise. Taking lower levels first provides valuable experience with test format, timing, and question types.

When can you consider skipping one or several JLPT levels

Several circumstances make level-skipping not only feasible but strategically advantageous for achieving your Japanese learning goals more efficiently.

When you have intermediate Japanese skills

Heritage speakers and those with significant Japanese exposure often find themselves naturally beyond N5 or N4 levels. Students who’ve completed intensive study programs, lived in Japanese-speaking environments, or maintained strong self-study discipline may discover that starting with lower levels would be redundant. These learners typically have an intuitive understanding of grammar patterns and vocabulary that exceeds what lower levels test, making it logical to aim for levels that better reflect their actual abilities.

When you need quick certification results

Professional circumstances frequently create urgency around certification timing. Job seekers needing certification for specific opportunities, students facing application deadlines, professionals relocating to Japan, and those with limited testing opportunities in their geographic area all benefit from targeting the highest achievable level rather than working through sequential progression.

When you want to maximize your budget

Students who can only afford one or two test attempts benefit from focusing their resources on meaningful credentials rather than collecting lower-level certificates. Those prioritizing higher-level certifications that actually impact their career or academic prospects should consider skipping levels that won’t significantly advance their goals. Strategic resource allocation becomes especially important for international students or those studying Japanese as a secondary priority alongside other commitments.

How hard is it to take JLPT N4 without N5?

Many students ask “can I take JLPT N4 without N5?” The answer is yes ! Taking JLPT N4 without JLPT N5 is moderately challenging but definitely achievable for motivated learners who approach it strategically.

Success requires complete mastery of foundational elements that N5 typically covers. You need solid understanding of hiragana and katakana, fundamental grammar equivalent to completing a beginner textbook, comfortable reading of simple texts, and basic listening comprehension skills. Without these foundations, attempting N4 becomes significantly more difficult.

Dedicated beginners typically need 6-8 months with consistent daily study, while intensive learners can achieve N4 readiness in 3-4 months with 2-3 hours daily. The most effective preparation involves taking N5 practice tests first to identify knowledge gaps, then using N4-specific preparation materials while ensuring foundational concepts remain solid. So while you can take N4 without N5, proper preparation covering N5 fundamentals is essential.

How hard is it to take JLPT N3 without N5?

Another common question is “can I take JLPT N3 without N5?” Jumping directly to N3 without N5 represents a significant challenge that requires serious commitment and strategic preparation. This jump involves approximately five times more content than N5 covers, making it one of the more ambitious approaches to JLPT certification.

Prerequisites for success extend well beyond basic Japanese knowledge. You need a foundation equivalent to completing both beginner and intermediate textbooks, comfortable recognition of 500+ kanji characters, solid understanding of intermediate grammar patterns, and ability to understand context and implications rather than just literal meanings.

Even with intensive study, expect a minimum of 6-8 months of dedicated preparation, or 10-15 months with regular study pace. Success stories exist, particularly among Chinese speakers due to kanji familiarity, but typically involve learners with significant advantages or exceptional dedication. While you can take JLPT N3 without N5, the difficulty increase is substantial.

When is it realistic to consider taking JLPT N1 without N5

Taking N1 without N5 is extremely challenging. This represents the ultimate JLPT challenge, and fewer than 30% pass on their first attempt, even among well-prepared candidates.

The most realistic scenarios involve learners with significant advantages. If you’ve lived in Japan for 3+ years with work or academic immersion, have heritage language background with native exposure, or possess strong Chinese language skills that help with kanji recognition, you might be a candidate. However, you’ll need near-native reading comprehension, ability to understand 80%+ of native speech, vocabulary of 8,000+ words, and deep cultural understanding for subtle nuances.

To illustrate the challenge to take N1 without N5, many learners who comfortably passed N2 find themselves scoring as low as 95 out of 180 points on N1. This occurs because advanced Japanese requires mastering formal academic language, complex nuances, and cultural implications that go far beyond everyday conversation. Plan for 12-18 months of intensive daily study and expect multiple attempts as normal.

Using structured programs to skip JLPT levels

When deciding whether to skip JLPT levels, structured learning programs can significantly influence your strategy. Language schools like Nihongo Online School offer intensive programs that make level-skipping more viable than self-study approaches by providing comprehensive curricula covering multiple JLPT levels systematically.

The key advantage is avoiding knowledge gaps that often plague independent learners attempting to skip levels. However, success still depends on your commitment to the program’s intensity and starting proficiency level. If you have access to quality structured programs, skipping intermediate levels becomes more realistic than scattered self-study.

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