JLPT score report explained
Last checked: 2026-11-06
Your JLPT score report shows a score for each section, a total out of 180, and reference information. Only the scores decide if you pass. The reference information shows A, B or C grades by area, and a percentile rank and CEFR level if you qualify for them.
What each part of the report means
| Part | What it shows | Used for pass or fail? |
|---|---|---|
| Scores by section | 0 to 60 per section at N1 to N3. At N4 and N5, 0 to 120 for language knowledge and reading, and 0 to 60 for listening | Yes |
| Total score | 0 to 180 | Yes |
| Grades A, B or C | Share of correct answers in an area, such as vocabulary or grammar | No |
| Percentile rank | Share of examinees who scored lower than you | No |
| CEFR level | A reference level for your total score | No |
To pass, you need the overall mark and every section minimum. See the pass marks by level.
What A, B and C mean
| Grade | Share of correct answers |
|---|---|
| A | 67% or higher |
| B | 34% to 66% |
| C | Less than 34% |
These grades are your most useful study tool. They split one scoring section into areas. For example, a section score might look fine, while a C in grammar shows where you lost marks. This is our own advice: start your next round of study with any area marked C.
Who gets a percentile rank
- Shown: people who passed the test overseas. People exempt from listening are left out.
- What it compares: you against all examinees in the six latest tests, including yours.
- Not shown: people who failed, and people who tested in 2015 or earlier. They see an asterisk.
- In Japan: the guide says the rank is for people who passed overseas. It also says a graph on the JLPT site lets examinees find their rank, about 4 months after the test.
Who gets a CEFR level
You see a CEFR level only if you pass, and only for tests since December 2025. Everyone else sees an asterisk. The level comes from your total score, and it does not cover speaking or writing. See the JLPT to CEFR chart.
What asterisks mean
An asterisk can mean two things, so check where it appears.
- In the score columns: you missed a section. For example, ＊＊/60. You fail, and the report shows no scores at all, even for sections you took.
- In the reference information: that item does not apply to you. For example, a CEFR level on a report from July 2025 or earlier.
If you did not take the test at all, you get no score report.
Score report or certificate?
The JLPT says everyone who tests gets a score report. People who pass also get a Certificate of Proficiency. The overseas guide calls the report a Certificate of Result and Scores.
| Tested in | Report sent, July test | Report sent, December test |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Early September | Early February |
| Outside Japan | Early October | Early March |
From the JLPT FAQ. Other official pages word these dates differently. See when results come out.
If something is wrong or lost
- A wrong name or birth date: ask the JLPT Application Center in Japan, or your host institution overseas. Overseas, you must ask within one year of the test date.
- A lost report: order a paid duplicate. See what a replacement costs.
- Results by phone or email: the JLPT says it cannot give results that way.
Check your own numbers
Enter your section scores in the JLPT score calculator to see how far each one is above its minimum. To understand why your score is not a simple count of correct answers, read how the JLPT is scored.
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