Passed N3, pretty happy with that as I walked away from the test very unsure with myself. Not the greatest scores across the categories but enough to cross into the B1 CEFL territory, for whatever that’s worth. All and all I feel proud, as I really just picked up studying at the end of Aug 2025, with a large gap before that, so happy the effort is showing some progress.
Finger’s crossed I can devote myself this year and take/pass N2 in Dec
Inscriptions open in late August/early september then? I think you should try a N3 practice test a bit before and decide then, taking into account that you will progress again a little bit before the exam. But if you REALLY need a diploma for something, take N4 again to be more or less certain to get something
If you scored that well on N2, I think you would have no problem with N1 this December, if you so desired!
That’s me, too! I’m honestly such a visual person - something I hadn’t fully appreciated until language learning lol
It’s also so easy for me to get hung up on a certain word - I mull it over and see if I can figure it out. Whether I can or not hardly matters because now I’m lost on everything that came after. Listening is a huge hurdle for me (I always have to give the caveat that I’m a great listener…in English hahaha I just really struggle with it in Japanese)
I think the main thing for me is trying to find time to allocate to active listening practice - I have so much commute time, but putting on simple podcasts only goes so far in practice for me. If it’s too difficult I accidentally space out, if it’s too easy I’m not sure I’m learning anything. But without being about to check transcripts, or continuously rewind and re-listen when I need to (as I am meant to be focusing on the road), I’m not sure it’s actually getting me anywhere…I think I need study time where I am trying to write a transcript and/or translation as I listen, and then check myself on actual transcripts. But when will I find the time 
That’s me exactly. 
I’m a bit late announcing it, but I passed the December N4! 
Back in December, right after the exam, I posted in this thread about how there had been a weird big irregularity during the exam. We ended up not doing about 1/3rd of the listening section.
Here’s my result. The listening score is a bit on the low side.
Today I received an email from the test site that the unanswered questions have indeed been marked wrong. Everyone is now presented with two options. Either we accept the results as they are now, or we get a refund and the results are voided.
I consider this a total disgrace on the Japan Foundation’s part. Every country other than Japan would have sent the audio file via the internet the moment the exam site contacted them about the issue. Instead, we get this (easily avoidable) situation where it’s entirely possible that a number of participants failed their exams and have no choice but to accept it. The sheer lack of professionalism displayed by the Japan Foundation here astounds me.
As for me, I’m pleased for having passed the exam, but the low listening score does put a bit of a damper on the delight.
My first JLPT experience was pretty unstressful, which was nice. Just checked and I passed the N5. Not sure what the averages seem to be but I got a 137/180 (89/120 for Knowledge and 48/60 for Listening) with As for all sections.
If I take N4 I might do the same thing where I make a trip out of it, I took the test in DC since it was the closest one for me and I got there the Thursday before so in case I failed it was only a waste of 3 hours of a 4 day trip.
Glad to know studying with a full-time job I can still make progress, however slow.
Charlotte is getting a site no way! That’s so awesome! I also made the trip to DC in the snow, which was fun in its own way since everything was much more empty than usual.
Passed N4 this time! I failed last year so very happy with this result. Going to attempt N3 in July (knowing I will likely fail - but that’s not really the point for me).
I would be livid - I had to buy plane tickets and a hotel to take my exam! Refunding the exam fee itself is peanuts in comparison, not to mention the time commitments. Mistakes can happen, but they need to be prepared for how to resolve stuff like that. I’m just imagining how if this was N2/N1 and people needed it for university admission / visas / etc, how screwed they would be.
Congrats on doing well enough to compensate for that!
WHAT?! That’s actually close-ish to me! Oh man, I might actually seriously consider taking the test if that’s the case!
(And congrats on the N3 pass!)
You’re absolutely right, of course. I, too, travelled abroad and booked a hotel in order to take the exam. If it had been the N2 or N1 and if I had failed due to the listening section, I think I’d even consider having a lawyer write a fat claim, even if it’s just to give them a good scare.
Thank you very much for your kind words!
Late to the party here, but I passed the N3 (by the skin of my teeth). Going out to celebrate/commiserate on Saturday with some of the local ALTs who also took the JLPT.
Both Bunpro and Wanikani had a lot to do with my success. The biggest surprise for me, though, was that I walked out of that test thinking I had nailed the vocabulary/kanji section and absolutely bombed the listening section, but listening ended up being my highest score by quite a bit.
Also, congratulations to everyone who passed, and good luck on the next one for everyone taking it again, whether at the same level or the next!
I did not pass the N4 but I am not discouraged at all since I barely made any dent into any N4 material and did not study at all for the exam. I think I’ll just retake the N4 in summer and try for the N3 in winter, although I might be in Japan.
Does anyone know if it’s easy to get a seat for the exam in Japan? I assume they might hold the exam in most of the cities in the country 
Somebody posted in the July JLPT thread about that one new rule that gives Japan testing sites seats only to residents. If you’re only planning to visit as a tourist it might be harder than expected to take the test there
I was just reading about that! I’m applying for the Working Holiday visa, I’m a bit worried because I have not found yet any information on whether that makes me eligible or not, as well as having to provide an address —that very well could change before the test takes place —. But, oh well, even if I can’t sit it I will at least get to practice the language everyday!
If your visa is for a year, then yes you count as a resident.
If your visa is less than a year, probably not.
You’ll get a residence card - which is what you’ll need to apply according to the new regs, think you’ll be all good
A little late to the party, but I passed JLPT N2 last December 2025!
I finished the entire Official Bunpro N2 Grammar Deck but not the Vocabulary Deck, but I still passed!
I feel like Bunpro’s Vocabulary Deck is more difficult than the actual level it claims – but at least it overprepares you for the test. That’s just my opinion, though.
