Google 'how long for the JLPT' and you'll find everything. Some say 3 months for N5, others say 6. Some promise N1 in a year. The truth? It depends. But not in the vague way people use to dodge the question. It depends on precise factors you can actually control.
The Honest Table (The One You Won't Find Elsewhere)
These numbers assume consistent study, an effective method, and starting from zero. If you study 30 minutes daily with a system that works:
| Level | Minimum Time | Realistic Time | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | 2-3 months | 3-4 months | 150-250 |
| N4 | 4-6 months | 6-8 months | 300-600 |
| N3 | 8-12 months | 12-18 months | 450-900 |
| N2 | 18-24 months | 24-36 months | 600-1200 |
| N1 | 3-4 years | 4-5 years | 900-1800 |
Note: these times start from absolute zero. If you already have a foundation, subtract proportionally.
Why Online Estimates Are Often Wrong
The problem is that many only calculate 'active study' hours. But the JLPT doesn't test how much you've studied. It tests how much you've retained. And between studying and retaining there's an abyss.
You can spend 100 hours on kanji and remember 50. Or spend 50 with the right method and remember 200. Study time is irrelevant if the method is wrong.
The 3 Factors That Determine Everything
- Consistency > Intensity: 20 minutes every day beats 3 hours on weekends. Always.
- Method: Spaced repetition cuts time in half. Endless lists double it.
- Immediate feedback: Knowing right away when you're wrong accelerates everything. Finding out at the exam is too late.
N5: The First Milestone
N5 requires about 100 kanji and 800 vocabulary words. Sounds like a lot, but it's doable in 3-4 months with 30 minutes daily. The real obstacle isn't the quantity: it's building the habit.
People who fail N5 usually don't fail from lack of ability. They fail because they studied intensively the first few weeks, then quit.
N4-N3: The Intermediate Jump
This is where things get serious. Kanji triple, grammar gets complicated, and you can't coast on short-term memory anymore. You need a system that works for you, not against you.
Many get stuck between N4 and N3. Not because it's impossible, but because they keep using beginner methods for intermediate challenges.
N2-N1: The Marathon
N2 and N1 are a different sport entirely. We're talking 1000-2000 kanji, technical vocabulary, grammar that even native Japanese sometimes get wrong. It's no longer about months, but years.
The good news? With N2 you can already work in Japan, read manga without a dictionary, and understand most content. N1 is for those who want perfection.
How Kanjidon Speeds Things Up
Kanjidon uses spaced repetition to have you review each kanji at the exact moment you're about to forget it. Not a day early (useless), not a day late (too late).
The result? Your study hours yield more. You don't study more, you study smarter. And the times in the table above? They become realistic instead of optimistic.
The Bottom Line
There's no universal answer to 'how long for the JLPT.' There's your answer, which depends on how consistent you are and how smart your method is. Control these two factors, and time shrinks. Ignore them, and it stretches to infinity.
