Where to Find JLPT Practice Tests: N5 to N1 Resources for Preparation

Finding good JLPT practice tests when learning Japanese can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. There are official resources, unofficial websites, apps that promise the world, and random PDFs floating around the internet. Some are great. Most are pretty mediocre. I'm going to walk you through where to actually find quality practice materials for every level, from N5 all the way up to N1. No fluff, just the real resources that'll help you prepare.

Official JLPT sample questions and resources

Let's start with the most reliable source: the official JLPT website. The Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) provides free sample questions for all five levels. These are the real deal because they come from the same organization that creates the actual test.

You can download PDF workbooks with sample questions directly from the official JLPT website. They include examples from all three sections, complete with answer keys. The quality is obviously top-notch since these questions follow the exact format you'll see on test day.

The downside? There aren't tons of them. You get a taste of what each section looks like, but you'll burn through the official samples pretty quickly if you're doing serious preparation. Think of these as your baseline. Take them first to understand the question types, then move on to other resources for volume.

Free online practice tests by level

N5 practice test resources

Starting with N5, the beginner level. This is where most learners begin their JLPT journey, and thankfully there are decent free resources available.

Coto Academy offers a free online N5 practice test that simulates the real exam format. You get timed sections and instant feedback on your answers. Pretty useful for getting a feel for the test without any pressure.

Nihonez has a placement test that includes N5 questions. It's more of a diagnostic tool to figure out which level you should take, but the N5 questions are solid practice material. You answer questions across vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension.

JTest4You provides free N5 practice questions organized by section. You can drill specific areas like particles, verb conjugations, or kanji readings. The interface is basic but functional.

N4 practice test options

N4 is where things get a bit more challenging. The grammar patterns multiply, and you need to know around 300 kanji.

The same platforms that offer N5 tests usually have N4 versions.

Busuu integrates N4 practice questions into their Japanese course. You need to sign up, but they offer free access to some practice materials. The questions are decent quality, though they're mixed in with their learning content rather than presented as full mock exams.

N3 practice resources

N3 sits right in the middle and represents a significant jump in difficulty. You're expected to understand Japanese used in everyday situations with some degree of complexity.

Finding quality free N3 practice tests gets trickier. The official sample questions become even more valuable at this level. There are fewer free full-length simulations available compared to N5 and N4.

Some learners use past exam papers that people share online. You can find these on forums and study groups, though the legality is questionable and the quality varies wildly. I'd recommend sticking with official sources when possible.

N2 practice test materials

N2 is where you prove you can handle Japanese in a professional context. The reading passages get longer and more complex, and the listening sections include faster, more natural speech.

Cakap offers a free N2 simulation test online. It's timed and covers all sections. The question quality is pretty good, though some users report that the difficulty doesn't quite match the real exam perfectly.

The official JLPT N2 sample questions are absolutely essential at this level. Since N2 is often required for jobs in Japan, you want to make sure you're practicing with authentic materials.

N1 practice tests

N1 is the beast. This level tests whether you can understand Japanese in virtually any situation. The reading passages come from newspapers, academic texts, and complex narratives. The listening includes rapid conversations and abstract discussions.

Free full-length N1 practice tests are rare. The official samples are your best bet for free materials. Beyond that, you're mostly looking at paid resources or study groups where people share materials.

Some websites offer individual N1 questions for free, but complete mock exams usually cost money. Given the investment people make in reaching N1 level, most serious learners end up buying at least one or two commercial practice test books.

Good paid sources for JLPT mock exams

Beyond the free resources I've mentioned, here are some paid options that are worth considering if you're serious about passing.

The "Shin Kanzen Master" series publishes books for each JLPT level with practice questions organized by skill area. They also sell separate mock test books with full-length exams. These are widely considered some of the best commercial practice materials available.

The "Sou Matome" series is another popular option. Their practice test books include multiple full-length exams with detailed answer explanations.

Amazon Japan has tons of JLPT practice test books. If you can read enough Japanese to navigate the site, you'll find materials that aren't available through English-language retailers. The prices are often better too.

Using placement tests to choose your JLPT level

Here's a question I see all the time: which level should you take? Can you skip levels or do you need to take them in order?

The JLPT doesn't require you to pass N5 before attempting N4. If you've been studying seriously and think you're at N3 level, go straight for N3.

But how do you know which level you're actually ready for? This is where placement tests come in handy.

Busuu offers a diagnostic test. It's free to take and gives you a rough idea of where you stand.

These placement tests help you avoid two common mistakes: taking a test that's too easy (Wasting time and money) or taking one that's way too hard (Setting yourself up for failure and frustration).

Are you ready to take a practice test

Before diving into full practice tests, ask yourself if you've actually studied the material. Practice tests are diagnostic tools and exam simulations. They're terrible learning resources on their own.

If you're just starting to learn Japanese, taking an N5 practice test might be useful to see what you're working toward. But if you score 20% because you haven't learned the vocabulary yet, you haven't really gained much.

Maybe you've worked through a textbook series, used apps like Anki for vocabulary, or studied with a tutor. You know the grammar patterns and kanji for your level. Now you need to see if you can apply that knowledge under test conditions.

Start with untimed practice to familiarize yourself with question types. Then move to timed sections to build your speed. Finally, take full-length mock exams under real test conditions: no phone, no dictionary, strict time limits.

Time management and test-taking strategy

Having access to practice tests means nothing if you don't use them strategically. Here's how to actually benefit from practice materials.

Anyway, if you're studying for the JLPT and want to build real comprehension skills alongside your test prep, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words instantly while reading Japanese websites or watching Japanese shows. Makes immersion way more practical than constantly switching to a dictionary. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

Proficiency test practices are not prophecies...

One more thing: don't obsess over practice test scores. I've seen people score 75% on mock exams and fail the real test because of test-day nerves. I've also seen people barely pass practice tests and then ace the real thing because they stayed calm and focused. Focus on the long-term game, and keep immersing yourself in Japanese learning via textbooks and media.

Use practice tests as guides, not prophecies.