JLPT – Frequently Asked Questions

Registration opens on 17 August and closes when capacity is reached or, at the latest, on 7 September—whichever comes first.

No. You create your account during registration. The process is similar to online shopping: the account is created as part of registration, not in advance.

To protect your personal information, all registration data is deleted from the system each year after the test. You must therefore create a new account and register again each year.

Yes. A separate account must be created for every child or student, and each candidate needs a unique email address.

Please take care when entering the candidate's name and details. Parents sometimes enter their own names by mistake.

No. All JLPT levels are held on the same day at approximately the same time.

The test centre is confirmed each July. In 2026, the test will be held at Istanbul Bilgi University, Kuştepe Campus.

You cannot change your level or test site after registering. Your selection becomes final once payment is complete. No refund or transfer is available.

No. Owing to high demand, late registration and waiting lists are not available.

The July test is held in other countries. Candidates who are able to travel may take it abroad. See the overseas test sites.

We cannot guarantee it, but places may become available during the registration period. We recommend checking the registration system regularly.

No. We cannot maintain a waiting list. We strongly recommend checking other test centres with available places.

No. You cannot cancel, transfer or defer your registration. It remains in place even if you cannot attend.

You do not need to do anything or notify anyone. You will receive no score if you do not attend, and absence will not affect your eligibility for future JLPT tests.

No. On-site registration is not accepted. Once registration closes, we cannot admit a new candidate even if another person does not attend.

Yes. You may apply for Special Testing Arrangements (STA). Please read the STA section of this FAQ for details.

Yes. Sign in to the registration system and edit your address there.

Any act or attempted act listed in the official misconduct rules is treated as misconduct and invalidates your results for every test section. See the official rules.

A proctor will stop you and remove you from the test centre. You may not continue or complete the remaining sections. The Japan Foundation may invalidate your results, including past tests, refuse to notify you of your results and prohibit you from taking future JLPT tests.

The Japan Foundation and the local host institution cannot be held liable for losses or claims arising from invalidated scores, withheld results or a testing ban.

Special Testing Arrangements (STA) are adjustments that allow candidates with certain medical, physical or learning needs to take the JLPT under conditions in which they can demonstrate their abilities fairly.

Examples include extended time, use of medical devices such as an insulin pump or glucose monitor, accessible or near-exit seating, and aids such as a magnifier or hearing aid.

You must submit the STA request form by the deadline and, where required, provide supporting documents such as a doctor's report.

Each request is reviewed carefully so that your needs can be met while protecting the integrity of the test.

Yes. You must submit a new STA request form every time you register for a test.

Yes. Even if you do not need extended time, you must submit the STA form if you will bring or use an electronic device such as a glucose monitor, insulin pump or mobile application.

Using any electronic device without prior approval is strictly prohibited. Obtain approval through the STA process before exam day.

Yes. Please submit the STA request form even if your only request is near-exit seating, so that an appropriate and accessible environment can be prepared.

Yes. Please submit the STA request form so that we know about your needs in advance.

Yes, but you must obtain prior approval through the STA request form. Clearly describe the device you plan to bring so that its use can be confirmed and the right environment prepared.

In most cases, extended time is 1.3 times the standard duration. If you request 1.5 times, your doctor's report must clearly state that this level of adjustment is necessary.

More time is not always better. The JLPT is already long, and choosing 1.5 times can make it harder to remain focused. Consider your personal endurance and testing needs carefully.

Submit your STA request form by the deadline even if the medical report is not ready. You may provide the report shortly afterwards.

Unfortunately, no request can be accepted after the deadline. You will have to take the test under standard conditions.

You may leave this field blank. We will complete it for you during processing.

You may take the test with the standard duration in the same room as other candidates.

Your name and date of birth will be printed on your certificate exactly as entered in the registration system. Enter your details carefully and check both your order confirmation and voucher. Correct errors in the JLPT registration portal or contact us as soon as possible.

No. You cannot change your level or test centre after registering. Your selection becomes final once payment is complete.

Please contact us.

Nothing. You do not need to notify us. You will receive neither a score nor a refund, but this will not affect your ability to take the JLPT elsewhere or at another time.

From the July 2026 test onwards, late candidates will not be admitted to any test section.

Section 1: Candidates who do not arrive by the stated check-in time are marked absent and are not admitted to Section 1, although they may attend later sections.

Section 2 onwards: A candidate who missed an earlier section may attend the next one only if check-in with a proctor is completed before it begins. No candidate is admitted after a section has started.

Completion requirement: Candidates must complete every section to receive a score. If any section is missed, the test is marked Incomplete and no result is issued.

We strongly recommend a standard No. 2/HB pencil. Mechanical pencils are not prohibited, but their sharper leads may damage the answer sheet and prevent machine reading, so they are not recommended.

Results are generally released at the end of January and can be viewed on the Japan headquarters' official website: JLPT Online Results.

Online results are available only for a limited period, so check them within the access window.

Results are available for a limited time at JLPT Online Results. You will need your registration number and the eight-digit password on your voucher. If you lost the voucher, sign in to the registration site or contact us.

If you pass, your certificate is expected between late March and late April.

If delivery fails, the post office will return it to us and we will contact you. Because returns can take a long time, please wait until May before requesting redelivery.

No. Scores cannot be reviewed after results are released. Candidate scores are calculated and carefully checked both mechanically and by specialists. As stated in the Test Guide, enquiries about individual results cannot be accepted.

The JLPT uses scaled scores based on each candidate's response patterns rather than simply the number of correct answers, so the resulting scores may differ from your expectations.

No. The name on the certificate cannot be changed, even after a legal name change. If you are presenting the document to a school or employer, contact them directly and follow their instructions.

Results are not provided by phone, fax or email. You may request a copy through the official certificate page.

No. A JLPT certificate does not expire.