JLPT Challenge Zone: Free N5–N1 Japanese Question Bank

Three mistakes and the run is over. How high a score can you leave on the leaderboard?

• Three lives: Three wrong answers ends the run — so every question counts.
• Combo multiplier: Five correct in a row doubles your points, ten triples them, up to ×6.
• Special rounds: Golden questions (×10), boss questions (×15), the golden orbit (×20), and heal rounds appear mid-run.
• Global leaderboard: Scores are difficulty-weighted (N5 ×1 → N1 ×2.5), so higher-level runs count for more.

Nihongo to Japan offers over 10,000 hand-picked questions spanning JLPT N5 to N1 — vocabulary, grammar and sentence patterns — with instant grading and a global leaderboard. Completely free, no sign-up.

Choose your JLPT level

• N5 Beginner (2,100 questions): Hiragana, katakana, basic particles and daily verbs — the first step from zero
• N4 Elementary (1,600 questions): Te-form, conditionals and giving/receiving verbs — where you start speaking real Japanese
• N3 Intermediate (1,900 questions): Conjecture, concession and causal nuance — breaking through the intermediate wall
• N2 Upper-Intermediate (2,400 questions): Compound particles, concessive patterns and written style — for advanced study, work and study abroad
• N1 Advanced (2,900 questions): Literary forms, idioms and abstract expression — the highest JLPT level

What the question bank builds

Every question is graded the moment you answer, with an explanation of why the right option is right and where the others go wrong. Together these four areas cover the whole of the JLPT's language-knowledge section.

• Vocabulary: High-frequency words at each level from N5 to N1, with kanji readings and synonym distinctions
• Grammar: The core sentence patterns of each level, with explanations and notes on when to use them
• Sentence patterns: How forms connect, particle usage, and the meaning distinctions between case particles
• Exam familiarity: Question formats follow the JLPT's publicly released sample questions and common ability range, so you get used to the rhythm of answering

How to use the question bank most effectively

The same bank works very differently depending on how you practise. This is the rhythm we recommend:

• Start at your current level — jumping too high just piles up frustration without teaching you anything
• After three wrong answers, start over; it helps things sink in instead of scrolling through on autopilot
• For grammar you get wrong, go deeper with our grammar explanations (655 articles) and read the examples until it clicks
• A steady 15–30 minutes a day beats cramming everything into one session
• Pair it with the self-study course (134 lessons): learn first, then drill, then review

Recommended approach for each level

Each level gets stuck in a different place, so the practice focus should differ too:

• N5: Work through the writing system and N5 basics in the self-study course first, then drill to confirm what stuck
• N4: Focus on giving/receiving verbs and conditionals, and look up mistakes in the grammar explanations right away
• N3: Drill conjecture and concession heavily — these are where N3 learners lose the most points
• N2: Build a feel for compound particles, and read Japanese news alongside for a sense of context
• N1: Concentrate on written-language forms and idioms, and drill until your responses are automatic

Resources to pair with

Drilling is only one part of the loop. All of these are free, with no account required:

• JLPT prep center: Complete guides for every level, plus registration and scoring rules
• 655 grammar explanations: Every pattern comes with connection rules, examples and clear explanations
• Self-study course, 134 lessons: A systematic path from kana all the way to N1, with interactive practice
• Free level test: Adaptive questions estimate your JLPT level in minutes
• Studying in Japan: Your next step after passing N2 or N1
• EJU (university admission exam): How to prepare for the Japanese university entrance exam

Frequently asked questions

Is the question bank suitable for complete beginners?

If you're starting from zero, learn the writing-system chapters in the self-study course first. Once hiragana and katakana are in place, start with the N5 bank — jumping straight into questions you can't read only stalls you.

Should I study the materials first, or drill questions first?

Use a learn → drill → review cycle: study grammar in the materials, test yourself with the bank, then reinforce mistakes in the grammar explanations. Drilling without reading the explanations means repeating the same mistakes.

What should I do about questions I got wrong?

Note the grammar keyword you missed, find the matching article in the grammar explanations, and read the examples until it clicks. Every question you answer also feeds your learning analysis, which ranks the weak spots worth fixing first.

Can I use this to prepare for the JLPT?

Yes. Questions are built around common JLPT vocabulary and the officially released sample-question formats, which makes them well suited to mock practice (they are not official or past exam papers). For scoring and pass marks, see the JLPT prep center.

Do I need to pay or register?

It's completely free — no account, no paywall, no email wall. Your answers stay in your own browser by default; a sync code is only needed if you want to continue on another device.

Every answer becomes part of your ability analysis

Nihongo to Japan keeps integrating your answers from the JLPT bank, updating your estimated level, weak spots and long-term learning record. After practising, open the study assistant to see the full analysis and your progress trend.

Explore the study assistant · See my learning analysis

Nihongo to Japan is an independent Japanese-learning platform, not affiliated with, authorised by, or partnered with the JLPT's organisers. Our questions are original study content, not official or past exam questions.