Japanese Language NAT-TEST (NAT-TEST) is a test to measure the Japanese language proficiency of learners whose native language is not Japanese.
Since the first test was administered in 1989, it has been administered not only in Japan but also overseas, including in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, with the number of test takers and countries increasing every year.
The questions on the NAT-TEST are created by veteran Japanese language educators and Japanese language textbook editors, and are based on the JLPT, which can be used to prove Japanese language proficiency for university entrance exams and study abroad applications. For example, Level 5 of the NAT-TEST and N5 of the JLPT are roughly the same level of difficulty.
The NAT-TEST is adopted as one of the lessons at many Japanese language schools and Japanese language educational institutions, and is actively used for evaluating student grades and career guidance.
It is also used as an test for Japanese language learners to periodically check their Japanese language proficiency.
This page explains the overview of the NAT-TEST, target, difficulty, pass rate, etc.
Overview
NAT-TEST is a test to measure the Japanese language proficiency of learners whose native language is not Japanese.
Since the first test was administered in 1989, it has been administered not only in Japan but also overseas, including in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, with the number of test takers and countries increasing every year.
It is operated by the Administration Committee of Senmon Kyouiku Publishing Co.
The NAT-TEST measures following three categories:
⚫︎ Word, Vocabulary and Grammar
⚫︎ Listening Comprehension
⚫︎ Reading Comprehension
The test covers reading and listening, and is multiple choice format; there are no writing or speaking tests.
Target
The NAT-TEST is aimed at Japanese language learners whose native language is not Japanese.
Test Date
The NAT-TEST is administered six times a year, in February, April, June, August, October and December.
In 2024, the test is administered in Japan on February 23, April 21, June 9, August 11, October 13 and December 8.
Difficulty
The NAT-TEST is divided into five difficulty levels.
Level 1 is the most difficult and Level 5 is the easiest, and the test questions vary for each level.
The difficulty for each level is as follows:
Level 1
This is the learning level reached by people who have been studying Japanese for about a year.
This level is aimed at advanced learners, those aiming to take university entrance exams, those aiming to take graduate school entrance exams and those aiming for JLPT N1.
A vocabulary of approximately 10,000 words, Kanji of approximately 1,850 characters and study time of approximately 1,000 hours are required.
Level 2
This is the learning level reached by people who have been studying Japanese for 9 -12 months.
This level is aimed at learners aiming to go on to university or vocational school in the future, and who are aiming for JLPT N2.
A vocabulary of approximately 5,900 words, Kanji of approximately 1,100 characters and study time of approximately 800 hours are required.
Level 3
This is the learning level reached by people who have been studying Japanese for 6 – 9 months.
This level is aimed at learners aiming to take university entrance exams, vocational school entrance exams, or JLPT N3 in the future.
A vocabulary of approximately 3,350 words, Kanji of approximately 650 characters and study time of approximately 600 hours are required.
Level 4
This is the learning level reached by people who have been studying Japanese for 3 – 6 months.
This level is aimed at learners aiming for JLPT N4.
A vocabulary of approximately 1,700 words, Kanji of approximately 300 characters and study time of approximately 400 hours are required.
Level 5
This is the learning level reached by people who have been studying Japanese for 1 – 3 months.
This level is aimed at learners aiming for JLPT N5.
A vocabulary of approximately 750 words, Kanji of approximately 100 characters and study time of approximately 200 hours are required.
Passing Criterion
There are two criteria for passing:
⚫︎ Total score must be above the passing score.
⚫︎ Score in each section must be above the passing score.
Below are the passing scores for total score, knowledge (characters/grammar/vocabulary), reading comprehension and listening comprehension.
| Level | Total Score | Knowledge | Reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 100/180 | 19/60 | 19/60 | 19/60 |
| Level 2 | 90/180 | 19/60 | 19/60 | 19/60 |
| Level 3 | 95/180 | 19/60 | 19/60 | 19/60 |
| Level | Total Score | Knowledge/Reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | 90/180 | 38/120 | 19/60 |
| Level 5 | 80/180 | 38/120 | 19/60 |
Pass Rate
２０２３年の試験の級ごとの受験者数、合格者数、合格率は以下です。
The number of test takers, number of successful candidates, and pass rates for each level of the 2023 test are as follows:
February 2023
| Level | Test Takers （persons） | Successful Candidates （persons） | Pass Rate （％） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 191 | 73 | 38.2 |
| Level 2 | 693 | 292 | 42.1 |
| Level 3 | 2,369 | 1,326 | 56.0 |
| Level 4 | 11,633 | 5,893 | 50.7 |
| Level 5 | 13,297 | 7,632 | 57.4 |
| Total | 28,183 | 15,216 | 54.0 |
April 2023
| Level | Test Takers （persons） | Successful Candidates （persons） | Pass Rate （％） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | – | – | – |
| Level 2 | 724 | 335 | 46.3 |
| Level 3 | 2,498 | 1,315 | 52.6 |
| Level 4 | 9,766 | 4,252 | 43.5 |
| Level 5 | 11,260 | 6,166 | 54.8 |
| Total | 24,248 | 12,068 | 49.8 |
June 2023
| Level | Test Takers （persons） | Successful Candidates （persons） | Pass Rate （％） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 149 | 56 | 37.6 |
| Level 2 | 463 | 172 | 37.1 |
| Level 3 | 1,767 | 884 | 50.0 |
| Level 4 | 5,589 | 2,614 | 46.8 |
| Level 5 | 6,487 | 3,398 | 52.4 |
| Total | 14,455 | 7,124 | 49.3 |
August 2023
| Level | Test Takers （persons） | Successful Candidates （persons） | Pass Rate （％） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | – | – | – |
| Level 2 | 666 | 247 | 37.1 |
| Level 3 | 2,473 | 1,302 | 52.6 |
| Level 4 | 6,327 | 2,520 | 39.8 |
| Level 5 | 10,584 | 5,599 | 52.9 |
| Total | 20,050 | 9,668 | 48.2 |
October 2023
| Level | Test Takers （persons） | Successful Candidates （persons） | Pass Rate （％） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 230 | 75 | 32.6 |
| Level 2 | 799 | 248 | 31.0 |
| Level 3 | 3,080 | 1,574 | 50.2 |
| Level 4 | 6,750 | 3,004 | 44.5 |
| Level 5 | 13,804 | 7,694 | 55.7 |
| Total | 24,663 | 12,568 | 51.0 |
December 2023
| Level | Test Takers （persons） | Successful Candidates （persons） | Pass Rate （％） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | – | – | – |
| Level 2 | 734 | 298 | 40.6 |
| Level 3 | 2,432 | 995 | 40.9 |
| Level 4 | 5,561 | 2,003 | 36.0 |
| Level 5 | 10,646 | 5,803 | 54.5 |
| Total | 19,373 | 9,099 | 47.0 |
The pass rate is between 30% and 50%.
The pass rate for the most difficult level, Level 1, tends to be low, while the pass rate for the least difficult level, Level 5, tends to be high.
Procedure To Take the Test
The procedure for taking the test in Japan or abroad is as follows:
1. Pay the test fee and register (by the test registration deadline)
1. Pay the test fee and apply on the NAT-TEST website (by the test application deadline)
2. Receive your admission ticket by email or paper (approximately 1-2 weeks before the test)
3. Take the test
4. Receive your score report (approximately 3 weeks after the test)
Successful candidates will be issued a certificate of passing the NAT-TEST.
Testing Site
In Japan, NAT-TEST will be held in the following cities:
⚫︎ Tokyo
⚫︎ Osaka
You can also take the NAT-TEST overseas, and the test is available in the following countries and regions:
China
Vietnam
Nepal
Myanmar
Indonesia
Sri Lanka
Mongolia
Cambodia
Bangladesh
Philippines
India
Thailand
Uzbekistan
Bhutan
Kyrgyzstan