How to Read a JLPT Score Report

A JLPT score report contains scaled scores used for pass/fail and separate reference information used for diagnosis. Do not add the A/B/C reference grades to your points or treat a high total as a pass when one scoring section is below its minimum.

From the December 2025 test onward, passed score reports also show a CEFR reference level. Overseas passed certificates can show a percentile rank under defined conditions.

Key takeaways

• N1-N3 have three 0-60 scoring sections.
• N4-N5 have one 0-120 combined section and one 0-60 Listening section.
• Overall and sectional pass marks both apply.
• Official scores are scaled, not raw correct-answer counts.
• A/B/C are diagnostic correct-response bands, not pass scores.
• Percentile rank compares qualifying overseas passers with recent cohorts.
• CEFR appears only for passed results.
• Asterisks have different meanings depending on the field.

In this guide: document types · scoring sections · pass rules · ABC · percentile · CEFR · asterisks · research

Score Report or Certificate of Result and Scores

The name of the document depends on test location:

• Candidates in Japan receive a Score Report.
• Candidates overseas receive a Certificate of Result and Scores.
• Successful candidates also receive a Certificate of Proficiency for the passed level.

The Certificate of Result and Scores is intended as official score evidence for uses such as education or employment. The smaller Certificate of Proficiency confirms the level but may not contain the same detailed score fields.

Check what the recipient requests before submitting one document instead of another. Use the JLPT December results date guide for timing.

Read the scaled scoring sections

N1, N2 and N3

N4 and N5

The printed test sections and result scoring sections are not identical. N3, for example, has separate Vocabulary and Grammar/Reading test periods, but the result gives Language Knowledge and Reading as distinct scoring sections.

Read the N1 guide, N2 guide, N3 guide, N4 guide, or N5 guide for format details.

Scaled score is not raw percentage

JLPT uses scaled scores so results can represent proficiency consistently across test forms. The number shown is not simply the percentage of questions answered correctly.

This explains why:

• A mock-test raw score cannot be converted exactly to official points.
• Two content-area A/B/C grades do not add to the 0-60 score.
• Counting remembered answers cannot prove the final result.

Use raw accuracy during study, but interpret the official document through its published scaled ranges and pass rules.

Check pass or fail correctly

The result is pass only when the total and every sectional minimum are satisfied.

Example: failed with enough total

An N2 candidate has 45 Language Knowledge, 40 Reading and 18 Listening. Total: 103. Because Listening is below 19, the result is fail.

Example: passed at the boundary

An N4 candidate has 71 combined and 19 Listening. Total: 90. Both minimums are met, so the result passes.

Do not appeal from the total alone. The sectional rule is part of the official standard.

Understand A, B and C reference information

A/B/C show approximate raw correct-response performance inside content areas:

For N1-N3, Vocabulary and Grammar can receive these reference grades. For N4-N5, Vocabulary, Grammar and Reading can appear as reference areas.

They are diagnostic. A/B/C are not used directly for pass/fail and should not be averaged into the scaled score.

Examples:

• A in Vocabulary and C in Grammar suggests focused grammar repair, but the actual Language Knowledge scaled score still controls the sectional result.
• C in one reference area does not automatically mean failure if scaled total and sections pass.

Use how to learn Japanese grammar fast and 30-minute Japanese routine to convert the diagnostic into a plan.

Percentile rank for overseas results

From July 2016, the certificate for passed overseas examinees can show a percentile rank, excluding candidates with certain Listening exemptions.

The percentile indicates the percentage of examinees with a lower score across the six latest tests, including the candidate's test.

If the percentile is 71.4, it means the score was higher than approximately 71.4 percent of the comparison group. It does not mean 71.4 percent of questions were correct.

Percentile is reference information:

• It does not change pass/fail.
• It is not shown for failed candidates.
• It can shift across rolling six-test groups.
• Japan score reports do not show the overseas percentile in the same way.

Read the CEFR reference level

CEFR reference appears only for candidates who pass:

The score report labels this as reference for linguistic and receptive abilities. JLPT does not test speaking production, writing production or interaction.

Therefore, an N1 total of 145 receives C1 reference information for the tested abilities; it does not prove complete C1 speaking.

Read why JLPT does not test speaking, Japanese speaking practice with AI, and speaking Japanese alone.

What asterisks mean

An asterisk can appear for different reasons.

Missed required test section

If a candidate misses any required section, the entire exam is not scored. The score fields show asterisks, including sections the candidate attended.

Failed result and CEFR

A failed candidate receives an asterisk instead of a CEFR reference level.

Failed result and percentile

The percentile field is not shown for a failed candidate and can display an asterisk.

Read the field label before interpreting the symbol. An asterisk does not always mean the same operational problem.

Score report examples

N3 example

• Language Knowledge: 40/60.
• Reading: 35/60.
• Listening: 30/60.
• Total: 105/180.
• Result: pass.
• CEFR: B1.

N4 example

• Combined Language Knowledge/Reading: 60/120.
• Listening: 40/60.
• Total: 100/180.
• Result: pass.
• CEFR: A2.

N1 example with failed section

• Language Knowledge: 48/60.
• Reading: 40/60.
• Listening: 18/60.
• Total: 106/180.
• Result: fail.
• CEFR: asterisk.

Use the report for the next study plan

1. Identify whether failure came from the total or a section.
2. Rank scaled sections.
3. Use A/B/C only to locate sub-area weakness.
4. Separate reading speed from language knowledge.
5. Review listening attention and inference.
6. Set targets above minimums.
7. Run timed official-style sections.

Use Japanese shadowing practice, Japanese conversation at work, and Japanese small-talk topics.

Using results for work or school

Ask the recipient whether it needs:

• Certificate of Proficiency.
• Certificate of Result and Scores.
• Score Report.
• Newly issued official certificate.
• Direct authenticity confirmation.

Do not submit a screenshot when an official certificate is required. Read Japanese level required to work in Japan, Japanese language school requirements, and Japanese university admission requirements.

Speaking after the score report

The report has no direct speaking or writing score. Build evidence through role-play, interviews, presentations or work samples.

Start a free Japanese speaking session and explain each section result plus the next study target.

Try another free conversation using vocabulary from the weakest content area.

Common interpretation mistakes

Practice Japanese conversation free so the report informs real skill development.

Final score-report checklist

• Confirm document type and test location.
• Read scaled scoring sections.
• Check total and every minimum.
• Use A/B/C only diagnostically.
• Interpret percentile as cohort comparison.
• Read the CEFR band from total and pass status.
• Identify why any asterisk appears.
• Protect personal identifiers.
• Submit the document requested by the recipient.
• Add productive speaking and writing evidence.

How we researched

We checked the official JLPT scoring page, Understanding JLPT Certificates guide, CEFR reference page, online-results page and 2026 JEES process on 22 October 2026.

We distinguish scaled scores from raw correct-response reference bands and restrict CEFR claims to the receptive and linguistic abilities tested.

Sources

• JLPT official scoring sections and pass rules
• JLPT official Understanding Score Reports PDF
• JLPT official CEFR reference
• JLPT official online results page
• JEES JLPT information

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