So you want to pass the JLPT N5. Good news: it is completely doable in 90 days with the right plan.
The JLPT N5 is the first level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. It tests basic Japanese — hiragana, katakana, around 100 kanji, 800 vocabulary words, and simple grammar.
Sounds like a lot. It is not. Here is how to break it down.
Days 1-14: Master the Kana
Before anything else, learn hiragana and katakana. These are your foundation.
Goal: Read and write all 46 hiragana and 46 katakana characters from memory.
How: Practice 20 minutes a day. Write them out. Use flashcards. Quiz yourself. Most people can learn both sets in two weeks with consistent daily practice.
Do not move on until you can read kana without hesitating.
Days 15-30: First 200 Vocabulary Words
Now start building your word bank. Focus on the most common N5 vocabulary first.
Goal: Learn 200 words — greetings, numbers, days, common nouns and verbs.
How: Learn 10-15 new words per day. Use spaced repetition (this is where tools like Nihongo Master shine — the drill system uses SRS to lock words into long-term memory).
Start simple: family words, school words, time words. These come up constantly on the test.
Days 31-50: Basic Grammar + First 50 Kanji
Time to start building sentences and learning your first kanji.
Goal: Master 15-20 essential grammar patterns. Learn 50 kanji with their common readings.
Grammar to focus on:
- は/が particle usage
- です/ます polite form
- を/に/で/へ particles
- adjective conjugation (い and な)
- past tense
Kanji strategy: Learn 2-3 kanji per day. Focus on ones you already know the vocabulary for — it makes them stick faster.
Days 51-70: Expand Everything
You have the basics. Now widen your knowledge.
Goal: Reach 500+ vocabulary words, 80+ kanji, and 30+ grammar patterns.
How: Keep the daily habit. 15 new vocab, 2-3 new kanji, 1 new grammar point per day. Review everything with spaced repetition.
Start reading simple Japanese texts. NHK Easy News. Children's books. Simple manga. This is where reading comprehension builds.
Days 71-90: Practice Tests and Review
Final stretch. Stop learning new material around day 80. Focus on review and test practice.
Goal: Take at least 3-5 full practice tests. Identify weak areas and drill them.
What to do:
- Take a timed practice test every 2-3 days
- Review mistakes immediately
- Focus extra time on your weakest section (usually reading comprehension or listening)
- Keep reviewing vocabulary and kanji daily — do not let them fade
Daily Schedule (30-45 minutes)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10 min | Spaced repetition review (vocab + kanji) |
| 10 min | New material (vocab, kanji, or grammar) |
| 10 min | Reading or listening practice |
| 5 min | Quick self-quiz |
Tips for Success
Be consistent. 30 minutes every day beats 3 hours on Saturday. Your brain needs daily reinforcement.
Use spaced repetition. It is scientifically proven to be the most efficient way to memorize vocabulary and kanji. Nihongo Master's drill system does this automatically.
Do not skip listening practice. Many N5 test-takers focus only on reading and get surprised by the listening section. Listen to Japanese every day, even if it is just 5 minutes.
Track your progress. Knowing how far you have come keeps you motivated when it feels hard.
You Can Do This
The JLPT N5 is not meant to be impossible. It is designed to test basic competency. With 90 days of focused study — even just 30 minutes a day — you will be ready.
Start today. Your future self will thank you.