Get Ready for JLPT N4: 100 Kanji List

How are things going with your studies for N4? Compared to N5, what’s the most difficult part of N4?

When preparing for the N4 exam, you shouldn’t only spend time on kanji, vocabulary, and grammar from N4, but also make sure that what you learned in N5 is still up to date. Because sometimes the most basic things get forgotten while you’re chasing a further goal!

In my previous article, there’s a brief introduction to all levels of the JLPT (日本語能力試験) and the 2022 test information. If you need general information about the JLPT, you can find the article here:

In addition to the JLPT information, a list of 100 kanji needed for N5 is also included. Make sure you recognize all the kanji before you get into N4!

Apply for JLPT N4

The JLPT is usually held twice a year, in early July and December. More precisely, the JLPT is usually held on the first Sunday of July and December.

Taking in Japan

• Release dates of test information: (First test) around early February and (Second test) around early July.
• Registration period (online only): (First test) from late March to mid-April and (Second test) from late August to mid-September.
• Receipt of paper test voucher: (First test) mid-June and (Second test) mid-November.
• Publication of test results: (First test) in early September and (Second test) in early February.

Exam Fee: 6,500 JPY (including excise tax)

The application is online-only, therefore, make sure you register and sign on at MyJLPT on JEES website: https://info.jees-jlpt.jp/info/

Taking in the United States

Test Fee: 100 USD

JLPT in the United States is administered by the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ). There is no July test in the United States. You can find the current registration information here: https://www.aatj.org/jlpt

Taking in other countries or areas

• Some countries/cities only held one exam (July or December) each year.

• Depending on the country, there are different application deadlines and the date of the result. Check this page for the region where you want to take JLPT: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/application/overseas_list.html

💡 Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), remember to check the official website for the latest news of JLPT!

Preparing for the JLPT N4 Test

After the introductory information about the JLPT, let’s take a look at what kind of questions will appear on the JLPT N4 exam and what the suggestion are for each section!

◉ Linguistic competence required: The ability to understand basic Japanese.

◉ Overall pass marks / full marks: 90 / 180 points

◉ All questions are multiple-choice questions. No essay question.

In all the levels, the main test sections include:

1. Language Knowledge(Vocabulary / Grammar): 言語知識（文字・語彙 / 文法）
2. Reading: 読解
3. Listening: 聴解

 Section 1: Language Knowledge (Vocabulary):

Just as in N5, you should be familiar with all the hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji. In the vocabulary test section, you’ll be asked some questions that simply require you to select the correct hiragana for katakana or kanji words or in a reversed pattern. This would be comparatively easy in other sections, where you might regret losing points here!

In my other article you can find the Hiragana, Katakana and Romaji table and download it for practicing.

 Section 2: Language Knowledge (Grammar)・Reading

After learning the grammar for N4, you should make your own sentences using the grammar. This way you can check if the usage is correct or not. It’s also helpful to remember the grammar of your own sentence.

As for the reading section, as you work through the exercise book, you should pay attention to whether you’re spending too much time reading. If so, you should improve your reading speed before the exam!

 Section 3: Listening

100 Kanji list of JLPT N4

Quick Link

JLPT Offical Site: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html

JLPT-Sample Questions: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/forlearners.html

JLPT-Composition of Test Sections and Items: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/guideline/testsections.html

JEES website (For application): https://info.jees-jlpt.jp/

American Association of Teachers of Japanese(全米日本語教育学会): https://www.aatj.org/jlpt-us

Summary

As for my own experience, my first JLPT test was N4. At that time, I studied Japanese for half a year and applied for N4 without hesitation. In the end, I failed the N4 exam. Looking back at my abilities at that time, besides the fact that I’d not studied enough, there was one main factor that led to my failure.

I wasn’t aware of the importance of knowing what kind of questions would be asked in the exam. Therefore, I spent some time trying to understand what was required in each part of the exam and couldn’t fully concentrate on the questions asked.

I hope you found what you need for the JLPT N4. Finally, here’s the PDF and Excel file to download the 100 kanji list for JLPT N4!