Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Build N5 vocabulary and kana foundation
3 weeks
JLPT N5 requires approximately 800 vocabulary items, all rendered in hiragana or katakana (no kanji required). This milestone establishes the vocabulary base and confirms that hiragana and katakana are fully solid — N5 test questions use kana exclusively for readings. Focus on the core domains: greetings and self-introduction, numbers and time, family members, everyday objects, and basic verbs (eat, drink, go, come, see, buy, read, write, listen).
Proof required
Complete a 100-item N5 vocabulary self-assessment (from any free practice set) and submit a photo of your completed answers plus a score of 80% or above. Include a brief handwritten list of 20 words you found difficult.
What gets checked
- 80% or above on a 100-item N5 vocabulary practice set
- Answers written in hiragana/katakana — not romanisation (romaji) — to confirm kana literacy
- Difficult-words list of at least 20 items shows genuine review, not just test submission
Common mistakes
- Learning vocabulary only in romaji — N5 test questions are in kana and kanji; romaji learners face an additional decoding step under time pressure
- Skipping listening practice — the N5 exam has a significant listening component and vocabulary without audio input means half the exam is unreviewed
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check that answers are in hiragana/katakana, not romaji — this distinguishes genuine kana literacy from romanised memorisation
- Score of 80%+ confirms sufficient N5 vocabulary coverage — lower scores indicate the learner is not yet ready for the exam
- The difficult-words list should be in the learner's own handwriting, not a printout
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Master N5 grammar patterns
3 weeks
N5 grammar covers approximately 80 grammar points. The key structures that distinguish N5 from pre-N5 are: the polite present tense (ます form), the て-form for connecting actions (食べてください), the は particle for topic-marking vs. が for subject-marking, directional particles (に for destination, で for location of action, へ for direction), and basic question formation. The は vs. が distinction is the most conceptually challenging N5 item — invest time here.
Proof required
Submit a 1-page handwritten grammar summary (photo or scan) covering the は/が distinction, the て-form conjugation rules for all verb classes (Group 1/2/3), and three directional particle sentences — your own examples, not textbook sentences.
What gets checked
- は/が distinction explained with two contrasting example sentences illustrating the difference in meaning
- て-form conjugation rules shown for all three verb classes (ichidan, godan, irregular)
- Three original directional particle sentences using に, で, and へ in correct context
Common mistakes
- Treating は and が as interchangeable — this is the most common beginner error and actively penalised in N5 grammar questions
- Memorising て-form as a list rather than understanding the conjugation rules — N5 requires applying て-form to new verbs not seen in study materials
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- The は/が examples should demonstrate genuine contrast, not two sentences using one particle each — they should show the same context with different particles meaning something different
- て-form rules should cover godan consonant-stem variations (e.g. ーく → いて, ーぐ → いで, ーう/つ/る → って) not just the simple ichidan rule
- Directional particle sentences should use correct particles for correct contexts — に for arrival point, で for action location, へ for direction of movement
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Pass JLPT N5 and hold a 5-minute Japanese conversation
2 weeks
Submit your official JLPT N5 score report showing a passing result. Because JLPT N5 tests only reading and listening — not speaking — also record a 5-minute unscripted conversation with a native or near-native Japanese speaker to demonstrate that you can communicate in the language the exam tested. The conversation does not need to be perfect; it needs to be unscripted and genuinely interactive — both parties speaking and responding.
Proof required
Submit (1) your official JLPT N5 score report showing a passing result, AND (2) a video recording of a 5-minute unscripted conversation with a native or near-native Japanese speaker, with both sides audible. The conversation topic is open; it should not be a scripted dialogue.
What gets checked
- Official JLPT N5 score report showing a passing result (score must meet JLPT passing criteria for N5: 80/180 total with no section below threshold)
- Conversation recording is at least 5 minutes and both speakers are audible throughout
- The conversation is interactive — both parties contributing and responding, not a monologue or question-only format
Common mistakes
- Neglecting speaking practice entirely while preparing for the written exam — speaking ability and reading/listening ability develop independently and must be practised separately
- Using a scripted dialogue as the conversation proof — the point is to demonstrate real-time language use, not a memorised exchange
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Verify that the score report is official JLPT documentation — it should show the test date, the level (N5), and the scaled score meeting the passing standard
- The conversation should be unscripted and genuinely interactive — if both speakers are reading from a script, the proof fails the speaking test
- N5-level conversation will be limited to simple topics (introductions, daily routines, immediate environment) — this is expected and acceptable
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.