Practice JLPTJLPT Guide
JLPT N3 vs N2: What's the Difference?
Choosing between N3 and N2? Here's what separates them — content, test format and difficulty — and how to pick the right one for you.
Quick answer
- N3 (intermediate): You can understand everyday Japanese to a good degree: newspaper headlines, everyday writing, and normal-speed conversation with some effort.
- N2 (upper intermediate): You can handle everyday Japanese plus a range of wider situations: general newspapers, clear TV news, and near-natural-speed conversation.
- Rule of thumb: the step up roughly doubles the kanji and vocabulary you need.
N3 vs N2 at a glance
| JLPT N3 | JLPT N2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Intermediate | Upper Intermediate |
| Kanji (typical target) | ≈650 | ≈1,000 |
| Vocabulary (typical target) | ≈3,700 words | ≈6,000 words |
| Grammar points (our list) | 159 | 151 |
| Test length | 140 minutes | 155 minutes |
| Scores you receive | 3 sections | 3 sections |
| Pass mark | 95 / 180 | 90 / 180 |
| CEFR when you pass | A2–B1 | B1–B2 |
Kanji/vocabulary targets are cumulative and unofficial — the JLPT hasn't published official lists since 2010. Grammar counts link to this site's free study lists.
What N2 adds over N3
N2 is the level Japanese employers most often ask for, and the jump is substantial. The vocabulary and grammar sections merge with reading into one 105-minute marathon paper, with newspaper articles, essays and business-style writing. Listening moves to natural speed. In short: N3 proves you can cope with everyday Japanese; N2 proves you can work in it.
Which one should you take?
If you've just passed N4, take N3 first — the N4-to-N2 gap is usually more than a year of study, and N3 keeps you motivated along the way. Go directly for N2 only if you already read Japanese daily (manga with furigana doesn't count — news does) and can follow native-speed conversation. N2 is the minimum bar for most Japanese-speaking jobs and many university programs.
There are no prerequisites — you can register for any level directly, and skipping levels is common. The best gauge: try a past-paper N3 practice test and a N2 one, and see which pass mark you're closer to.