Practice JLPTJLPT Guide
JLPT Test Dates 2026 & 2027
The JLPT runs twice a year, always on the first Sunday of July and of December. Here are the upcoming dates, when to register, and when results come out.
Quick answer
- Next test: Sunday, December 6, 2026 (confirmed on jlpt.jp).
- Registration for it typically opens mid-August 2026 and closes within about a month — don't wait.
- 2027 tests are expected on July 4 and December 5 (first Sundays).
Upcoming JLPT dates
| Sitting | Test date | Registration window | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | Sunday, July 5, 2026 (already held) | was around March–April 2026 | online from late August 2026 |
| December 2026 | Sunday, December 6, 2026 | typically mid-August to mid-September 2026 | online around late January 2027 |
| July 2027 | Sunday, July 4, 2027 (expected) | typically March–April 2027 | online from late August 2027 |
| December 2027 | Sunday, December 5, 2027 (expected) | typically mid-August to mid-September 2027 | online around late January 2028 |
Registration windows and result dates vary a little by country — the ones above are the typical pattern. The official schedule for your area is published on jlpt.jp and by your local host institution.
Last checked against jlpt.jp: July 2026.
How registration works
- In Japan: you apply online through JEES (info.jees-jlpt.jp). The fee is ¥7,500 per level.
- Outside Japan: each country has a host institution (often the Japan Foundation or a university) with its own registration site, window and fee. Some cities only hold one sitting per year — July or December, not both.
- Seats run out. Popular test sites fill within days of registration opening, especially N2 and N1 in big cities. Register on day one if you can.
- One level per sitting. All levels are tested on the same day at overlapping times, so you can only sit one level per test date.
When do results come out?
Scores appear online roughly two months after the test: late August–September for a July test, late January–February for a December test. Paper score reports (and the Certificate of Proficiency, if you pass) are mailed after that. The percentile-rank graph on the JLPT website appears about four months after test day. Wondering what score you'll need? See how JLPT scoring works.
Planning your run-up
Counting from today to December 6, 2026 gives you a fixed runway — work backwards from it. Our study-hours guide helps you judge whether the level you want is realistic in the time left, and the practice tests tell you where you stand right now.