Is the JLPT Getting Harder, or Are Test Takers Just Not Trying Hard Enough? — Part 1

Thirteen years of Japanese-Language Proficiency Test results, more than 6.5 million examination records, and some seriously questionable certification rates. Is the JLPT becoming more difficult, or are students simply not preparing well enough? After examining the official statistics from 2013 through 2025, I have a few things to say.

What the Hell Is Going On With the JLPT?

Several years ago, I found myself browsing the official Japanese-Language Proficiency Test website, looking through examination statistics that most people probably wouldn't find particularly exciting. I wanted to know how many people were taking the JLPT, how many were passing, and whether candidates living in Japan performed better than those studying overseas. What started as a little curiosity turned into a much larger investigation.

And naturally, I decided to write an article about it.

My original analysis attracted considerable attention, including from some rather enthusiastic critics on Reddit. Apparently, asking questions about JLPT passing rates was enough to upset a few people, although the resulting publicity did bring additional customers to Simple Gaijin. So, to the fine gentlemen who helped circulate my article, thank you for the free advertising!

But let's get back to the subject. When I originally wrote this article around 2020, I had collected seven years of December JLPT statistics covering 2013 through 2019. The results surprised me, particularly the consistently lower certification rates among candidates taking the examination in Japan. I wondered whether the JLPT was getting harder or whether students simply weren't putting enough effort into preparing.

Now we're in 2026, and considerably more information is available. I've expanded the investigation to include every December examination from 2013 through 2025, giving us thirteen examination sessions and more than 6.5 million recorded examinees. We can now examine the pre-pandemic years, the enormous disruption caused by COVID-19, and the subsequent recovery in worldwide JLPT participation.

And believe me, some of these numbers are fascinating.

First, What Exactly Does the JLPT Measure?

Before we start throwing percentages around, let's establish what the JLPT actually tests. The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test consists of five levels, ranging from introductory N5 to advanced N1. Candidates are tested on Japanese-language knowledge, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension. Although the examination is widely recognized, it does not directly assess speaking or writing.

That last point is particularly important. Someone who passes N1 has demonstrated a high level of performance on the JLPT, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're an excellent public speaker, interpreter, or professional writer. Likewise, someone with strong conversational Japanese might still struggle with the specialized demands of a timed reading examination. Different language abilities overlap, but they aren't interchangeable.

The JLPT also uses scaled scores rather than simply awarding identical raw points for correct answers. To pass, candidates must meet the overall passing score and the sectional minimums for their examination level. For example, N2 requires at least 90 out of 180 overall, along with minimum scores in the relevant sections. Failing one sectional requirement means failing the examination, even if the overall total would otherwise be sufficient.

Consequently, certification rates shouldn't be mistaken for a direct measurement of question difficulty. With that established, let's examine the numbers.

Thirteen Years and More Than 6.5 Million Examinees

For this investigation, I compiled the official results of every December JLPT examination from 2013 through 2025. I chose December because I wanted to compare the same examination session across multiple years. July examinations have not always been offered in the same locations, and the July 2020 examination was canceled worldwide because of COVID-19. Rather than mixing different testing windows together, we'll save the July statistics for Part 2.

The December results alone provide plenty to investigate. Between 2013 and 2025, the JLPT recorded 6,522,169 examinees across these thirteen sessions. Of those, 2,417,333 received certification, producing a combined certification rate of approximately 37.1%. These totals represent examination records, not unique individuals, because the same person could have taken the test in multiple years.

In other words, fewer than four out of every ten recorded examinees received certification.

That's certainly enough to make someone raise an eyebrow. However, we should remember that the JLPT's reported examinee counts include people who took only some examination sections. Those candidates can appear in the denominator even though missing a required section prevents certification. This is one reason to be careful when interpreting the overall figures.

Now let's see how the results changed over time.

The Complete December JLPT Results: 2013–2025

Here are the worldwide certification rates for all thirteen December examinations.

Year	Examinees	Certified	Certification rate
2013	311,745	130,317	41.8%
2014	321,339	118,799	37.0%
2015	353,222	129,307	36.6%
2016	414,723	150,984	36.4%
2017	483,274	175,834	36.4%
2018	538,995	189,355	35.1%
2019	618,087	209,957	34.0%
2020	370,028	190,070	51.4%
2021	348,992	148,286	42.5%
2022	431,449	164,682	38.2%
2023	663,295	235,754	35.5%
2024	790,536	276,406	35.0%
2025	876,484	297,582	33.9%
Total	6,522,169	2,417,333	37.1%

Looking at the table, several things immediately stand out.

First, the worldwide certification rate declined in the years leading up to the pandemic, falling from 41.8% in December 2013 to 34.0% in December 2019. Second, the rate suddenly jumped to 51.4% in December 2020, an enormous increase compared with the preceding year. Third, certification rates eventually returned to the mid-30% range as examination participation recovered.

So what the hell happened? To understand these changes, I think we should examine three distinct periods rather than treating the entire thirteen-year dataset as one uninterrupted trend.

Before COVID-19: The Declining Certification Rates of 2013–2019

Let's begin with the original period I investigated.

Between December 2013 and December 2019, worldwide JLPT participation nearly doubled, increasing from 311,745 to 618,087 examinees. During those same years, the worldwide certification rate declined from 41.8% to 34.0%. That's a decrease of 7.8 percentage points.

But the results in Japan were even more striking. In December 2013, candidates taking the JLPT in Japan achieved an overall certification rate of 37.7%. By December 2019, that figure had fallen to 28.4%. The overseas certification rate also declined, but it remained higher than Japan's rate throughout the period.

Back when I first examined these results, I found that difference genuinely frustrating.

I had assumed that people living in Japan would enjoy an obvious advantage because they were surrounded by Japanese every day. Surely someone who regularly encountered the language would perform better than someone studying thousands of miles away. At least, that was my reasoning.

The statistics challenged that assumption. However, I now recognize that I was drawing conclusions about the candidates without knowing enough about their circumstances. Living in Japan doesn't necessarily mean someone receives systematic JLPT preparation, and living overseas doesn't prevent someone from following an excellent Japanese-language curriculum. The differences are real, but my original explanation was far too simplistic.

And then COVID-19 arrived.

December 2020: The Year Everything Went Crazy

Now, ladies and gentlemen, take another look at December 2020. The worldwide JLPT certification rate increased from 34.0% in December 2019 to an astonishing 51.4% in December 2020. In Japan, it jumped from 28.4% to 47.9%, while overseas locations recorded an equally remarkable 54.9%. Meanwhile, the number of examinees fell dramatically.

That's an extraordinary change in a single year. Did Japanese-language students suddenly become brilliant overnight? Did everyone spend lockdown memorizing kanji and drilling grammar until they could practically recite their textbooks backward? Or did the JLPT administrators decide to make the examination easier?

We shouldn't assume any of those explanations. The JLPT experienced significant disruption during COVID-19, including the worldwide cancellation of the July 2020 examination and cancellations or restrictions affecting some December locations. Those disruptions altered where examinations could take place and who could participate. This makes 2020 a very unusual year for statistical comparisons.

Consider the participation figures. December 2019 recorded 618,087 examinees worldwide, while December 2020 recorded only 370,028. That's a decrease of approximately 40%. The examination was being taken by a substantially smaller population under extraordinary circumstances.

And those circumstances matter. One possible explanation for the certification-rate jump is that the remaining examinees differed from the people who would ordinarily have taken the JLPT. Perhaps the candidates able to attend were more prepared, more committed, or otherwise different in their backgrounds. But the published summary tables don't tell us enough to determine whether that's what happened.

Still, the lesson is obvious. A major change in certification rates doesn't automatically prove that an examination became easier or harder.

The Pandemic Years: 2020–2022

The unusual results didn't end with 2020. December 2021 recorded a worldwide certification rate of 42.5%, still considerably higher than the rates recorded immediately before the pandemic. Overseas examinees achieved a particularly high rate of 53.9%, compared with 31.2% among examinees in Japan. That was a difference of 22.7 percentage points.

That's one hell of a gap. By December 2022, the worldwide rate had fallen to 38.2%, and the difference between Japan and overseas had narrowed somewhat. Japan recorded 30.9%, while overseas locations recorded 43.9%. Participation also began recovering, although it remained below the December 2019 total.

When we combine the three pandemic-era December examinations, the results become even more interesting.

Period	Examinees	Certified	Certification rate
2013–2019	3,041,385	1,104,553	36.3%
2020–2022	1,150,469	503,038	43.7%
2023–2025	2,330,315	809,742	34.7%

The combined certification rate during 2020–2022 was higher than both the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods. But does that mean the JLPT became easier? Not necessarily. The number of examinees, their distribution across testing locations, and the conditions under which they sat the examination all changed. We would need evidence about question difficulty, candidate proficiency, and the composition of the examination population to determine why those rates increased. The statistics alone don't establish a causal explanation.

Nevertheless, this is probably the most interesting discovery in the entire investigation.

And it gives us a much stronger reason to question simple claims about the JLPT becoming progressively harder.

After COVID-19: The JLPT Comes Roaring Back

By December 2023, worldwide JLPT participation had recovered beyond its pre-pandemic level.

The examination recorded 663,295 examinees, compared with 618,087 in December 2019. Participation increased again in December 2024, reaching 790,536 examinees. By December 2025, the total had grown to 876,484.

That's a remarkable recovery. To put things into perspective, December 2025 recorded approximately 181% more examinees than December 2013. The JLPT had grown from a substantial international examination into an even larger global testing operation. Interest in Japanese-language certification certainly hadn't disappeared.

However, the certification rates tell another story. December 2023 recorded a worldwide certification rate of 35.5%, followed by 35.0% in December 2024 and 33.9% in December 2025. In other words, as participation recovered and expanded, the unusually high certification rates recorded during the pandemic disappeared.

That's worth investigating. It's consistent with the possibility that the makeup of the testing population changed during the pandemic and then changed again during the recovery. But other factors could also have influenced the results, and the available summary statistics aren't sufficient to separate them. We should avoid confusing an interesting pattern with proof of a particular explanation.

Still, it certainly makes the original question more complicated.

Why Are Certification Rates in Japan So Much Lower?

Now let's return to the issue that originally inspired this article. Why do candidates taking the JLPT overseas so often achieve higher certification rates than candidates taking the examination in Japan?

Across the complete December 2013–2025 dataset, Japan recorded 2,506,130 examinees and 793,019 certifications. Overseas testing locations recorded 4,016,039 examinees and 1,624,314 certifications. Those figures produce combined certification rates of approximately 31.6% in Japan and 40.4% overseas.

That's an 8.8-percentage-point difference. And it's not an isolated result. The overall overseas certification rate was higher than Japan's in every December examination from 2013 through 2025. Even the unusual pandemic years didn't reverse that pattern. If anything, the difference became particularly dramatic in December 2021.

So, are students living in Japan simply not studying? I wouldn't go that far. The two examination populations may differ in several important ways, including age, educational background, employment circumstances, previous Japanese study, and the reasons candidates register. Students living overseas may be enrolled in university programs or specialized language courses, while some candidates in Japan may be pursuing certification for employment or educational requirements.

Those explanations are possibilities, not established findings. To determine what actually causes the difference, we would need more detailed information about the examinees themselves. The published certification tables tell us how many people took each examination and how many passed, but not whether one group studied harder or received better instruction.

That's a limitation we need to respect. However, we can investigate another important piece of the puzzle: the examination levels.

N2 and N3: Where the Differences Become Particularly Interesting

One of the most striking findings in the original investigation involved the JLPT N2 and N3 examinations. These levels attract large numbers of candidates and represent important milestones for Japanese learners. N3 tests intermediate Japanese abilities, while N2 is often relevant to people pursuing professional or educational opportunities requiring Japanese proficiency. Neither is an examination that students should underestimate.

Let's look at the December 2025 results.

At N2, candidates in Japan achieved a certification rate of just 25.4%, compared with 40.9% overseas. That's a difference of 15.5 percentage points. At N3, Japan recorded 26.2%, while overseas locations recorded 37.5%.

Those differences are substantial. They also resemble the patterns I observed in the original 2013–2019 dataset, where overseas N2 and N3 certification rates were noticeably higher than those recorded in Japan. This suggests that the location-related differences weren't confined to a single unusual examination session. They have appeared repeatedly across the years.

But we still need to be careful. The results don't prove that Japanese-language education is superior overseas, just as they don't prove that foreigners living in Japan are lazy. They indicate differences between groups of examinees whose backgrounds may not be directly comparable. Until we have more information, the reasons remain open to investigation.

And then there's N5.

The Weeaboo Killer Test Returns!

Longtime readers might remember a particularly colorful nickname I gave the JLPT N5.

The “Weeaboo Killer Test.” Yes, I'm bringing that one back.

The N5 may be the introductory level, but students still need to understand elementary Japanese vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. You need to recognize hiragana, katakana, and the basic kanji used in the examination. Simply knowing how to shout your favorite character's catchphrases isn't going to guarantee a passing result.

And here's where the statistics get amusing. Unlike N2 and N3, N5 has frequently shown higher certification rates in Japan than overseas. In December 2013, the N5 certification rate was 70.6% in Japan compared with 57.2% overseas. By December 2025, the corresponding figures were 53.5% and 50.0%.

Japan still had the advantage, although it was considerably smaller. So why does N5 often behave differently from the higher levels? We don't have enough information to answer that question confidently. Different candidate backgrounds, study opportunities, and reasons for taking the examination could all contribute. The relatively small number of N5 examinees in Japan compared with overseas is another factor worth investigating.

But one thing is certain. N5 deserves to be taken seriously. If your entire understanding of Japanese comes from anime, manga, or video games, you might discover that your actual reading and grammar abilities need some work. There's nothing wrong with becoming interested in Japanese through popular culture, but that interest needs to develop into genuine language study. Otherwise, even the introductory examination can become a rather unpleasant surprise.

And that's why I still enjoy calling it the Weeaboo Killer.

Is the JLPT Becoming Harder?

We've finally arrived at the central question. After examining thirteen years of official results, can we conclude that the JLPT has become progressively more difficult?

No.

The certification rates certainly changed, but they didn't follow a simple downward trend throughout the entire period. Rates declined before the pandemic, increased dramatically during the disrupted 2020 examination, and eventually returned to lower levels. Those movements don't establish that the proficiency required to pass steadily increased.

There's also the matter of scaled scoring. The JLPT uses a statistical scoring system intended to evaluate proficiency consistently rather than basing results solely on the number of correct answers. Candidates must satisfy both the overall passing requirement and the relevant sectional requirements. Consequently, we cannot determine examination difficulty simply by comparing the percentages of candidates receiving certification.

We would need additional evidence. That could include detailed information about question difficulty, changes in candidate proficiency, and differences in the examination population over time. The official statistics provide useful information about participation and certification, but they don't fully explain why those outcomes occurred.

So what about the other part of my original question? Are people simply not trying hard enough?

Or Are JLPT Students Just Not Preparing Properly?

As someone who has taught Japanese for years, I certainly believe that some students underestimate the JLPT.

I've encountered learners who study consistently, use appropriate materials, and develop realistic goals. I've also seen people assume that living in Japan, watching anime, or being able to carry on a casual conversation automatically means they're ready for an advanced examination. Unfortunately, that isn't always how language proficiency works.

The JLPT demands specific skills.Students need to recognize vocabulary and grammar in context, understand written passages, and process spoken Japanese under examination conditions. A learner might be perfectly comfortable ordering food or chatting with coworkers while still struggling with formal reading comprehension. Those abilities are related, but they aren't identical.

However, I wouldn't call every unsuccessful examinee lazy. Some people select a level above their current ability, while others study under difficult circumstances or have limited access to suitable educational resources. Someone working long hours may struggle to maintain a consistent study schedule despite being genuinely motivated. Another candidate might deliberately attempt a difficult level to assess their progress.

The certification statistics don't reveal those individual circumstances. What I can say is that proper preparation matters. Students should understand their selected examination's requirements, practice with appropriate materials, and identify weaknesses before test day. They should also review unsuccessful attempts carefully rather than simply registering for the same level again without changing their study approach.

In other words, take the JLPT seriously. But don't confuse a disappointing score with proof that someone didn't work hard.

Is Living in Japan Really an Advantage?

This question deserves special attention because it influenced much of my original argument. I used to assume that someone living in Japan would naturally become more proficient in Japanese than someone studying overseas. After all, Japanese is everywhere, from convenience stores and railway stations to television programs and everyday conversations. Surely that environment must provide some advantage.

And in many cases, it can. Living in Japan provides opportunities for listening practice, cultural exposure, vocabulary acquisition, and real-world communication. But those opportunities don't guarantee that someone is actively developing every skill measured by the JLPT. Simply encountering Japanese isn't the same as understanding it or studying it systematically.

Consider someone working in a specialized industry. That person might become highly proficient in the Japanese vocabulary needed for their job but rarely encounter the literary or explanatory passages used in advanced reading examinations. Another person might communicate comfortably in everyday Japanese while having limited experience with timed listening questions. Those individuals could still struggle with the JLPT.

Meanwhile, a student overseas might follow a rigorous university curriculum.

They may spend hours reviewing grammar, studying vocabulary, reading texts, and completing practice examinations. Their exposure to spontaneous Japanese conversation might be more limited, but their preparation for a standardized examination could be excellent. That doesn't necessarily make them better overall Japanese speakers.

It means their educational experiences differ. The thirteen years of statistics reinforce one important point: living in Japan is not an automatic guarantee of JLPT success.

Structured study still matters, regardless of where you live.

What Should JLPT Students Learn From These Results?

After spending all this time examining the numbers, I want to offer some practical advice.

First, select the examination level that matches your actual abilities. Don't register for N2 merely because you've studied Japanese for a certain number of years, and don't feel embarrassed about taking N3 or N4 if that's where your current proficiency stands. A realistic examination choice gives you a clearer understanding of your progress.

Second, establish a consistent study routine. Vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening should all receive attention, particularly when one area is noticeably weaker than the others. Official sample questions and reputable preparation materials can help identify what you need to improve. Timed practice is also valuable because knowing Japanese and answering questions efficiently under examination conditions aren't always the same thing.

Third, don't abandon the fundamentals. If you're struggling with introductory grammar, reviewing earlier material may be more productive than memorizing another hundred advanced vocabulary words. Weak foundations can create serious difficulties when you encounter longer sentences and unfamiliar passages. There's no shame in revisiting basic material when necessary.

Finally, remember that JLPT certification isn't the end of your Japanese-language education. The examination measures important abilities, but it doesn't directly test speaking or writing. A passing result can be a meaningful accomplishment without representing complete mastery of every aspect of Japanese. Keep developing your language skills beyond the examination.

And if you fail? Review your results, identify what went wrong, and make a better plan for your next attempt.

What Comes Next? The July JLPT Investigation

After examining thirteen December examinations, I have plenty of questions remaining.

• Do the July examinations show similar differences between Japan and overseas testing locations?

• Were certification rates also unusually high during the pandemic years?

• And how does the availability of July testing influence the populations taking those examinations?

Those questions deserve their own investigation.

For Part 2, I intend to examine the July JLPT results while accounting for differences in testing availability and the cancellation of July 2020. We'll also compare the July and December results where doing so is meaningful. That should help us determine whether the patterns identified in this article extend beyond the December examinations.

I also want to investigate the remarkable differences at N2 and N3 more closely.

The certification rates repeatedly suggest that examination location matters, but we still don't know precisely why. Additional information about the backgrounds and motivations of JLPT candidates could help explain the results. Until then, any explanation based solely on nationality, location, or supposed work ethic remains speculative.

There's certainly enough material for another article. And perhaps a few more arguments on Reddit.

Final Thoughts: The Numbers Don't Lie, but They Don't Explain Themselves

So, is the JLPT getting harder, or are test takers simply not trying hard enough?

After reviewing thirteen December examinations, more than 6.5 million examinee records, and an extraordinary pandemic-era disruption, I don't believe either explanation has been established.

We know that certification rates declined during the years leading up to COVID-19. We know that they increased dramatically during the disrupted 2020 examination and eventually returned to lower levels. We also know that candidates taking the JLPT overseas consistently achieved higher overall certification rates than those taking it in Japan during the period examined.

Those are genuine findings. What we don't know is precisely what caused them. Changes in candidate preparation, educational backgrounds, examination participation, and the makeup of the testing population could all play a role. The summary statistics don't let us isolate those factors or prove that the examination itself became harder. Nor do they justify accusing every unsuccessful candidate of lacking motivation.

My perspective has changed since I wrote the original article. I still believe some students underestimate the JLPT, and I still think plenty of learners would benefit from more disciplined preparation. But I also recognize that examination statistics need careful interpretation. An interesting number should inspire better questions, not become an excuse for sweeping judgments.

And that's ultimately what makes this investigation worthwhile. If you're preparing for the JLPT, study seriously, choose your examination level wisely, and don't assume your surroundings will automatically do the work for you. If you're an instructor, remember that unsuccessful candidates may face challenges the certification statistics can't reveal. And if you're a researcher, perhaps these thirteen years of results will inspire you to investigate the questions I've raised.

As for me, I've got another collection of JLPT statistics to dig through. We'll see what the July examinations have to say.

Until next time, keep studying.

頑張れ！

Editor's Note — November 2026: This article substantially revises an earlier Simple Gaijin investigation originally written around 2020. It examines the official December JLPT certification statistics from 2013 through 2025, using annual examinee and certified-candidate counts rather than unweighted averages of the published percentages. Results from 2020 through 2022 should be interpreted in the context of COVID-19-related examination disruptions. The analysis identifies observed patterns but does not establish that examination difficulty, candidate preparation, or motivation caused changes in certification rates.