N2 tests understanding of Japanese in everyday situations and a range of broader contexts. Use the official sample questions linked below to see task formats.

The idea

Language knowledge and reading share 105 minutes; listening takes about 50. Passing requires 90/180 overall and at least 19/60 in each scoring section: language knowledge, reading and listening. Check the official site for current arrangements. に基づいて marks a basis, とはいえ concedes a fact before a qualification, and たうえで places one action after a completed prerequisite.

Patterns to compare
Test sectionTime
言語げんご知識ちしき・読解どっかい百五分ひゃくごふん
聴解ちょうかい約やく五十分ごじゅっぷん

Examples

  • 天気てんき予報よほうによると、明日あしたは雨あめが降ふるそうです。According to the forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
  • 会議かいぎの結果けっかに基もとづいて、計画けいかくを見直みなおします。We will revise the plan based on the meeting’s results.
  • 経験けいけんがあるとはいえ、準備じゅんびは必要ひつようです。Even though you have experience, preparation is necessary.
  • 説明せつめいを読よんだうえで、申込書もうしこみしょを出だしてください。Please read the instructions before submitting the application.
  • 忙いそがしいにもかかわらず、彼かれは手伝てつだってくれました。Despite being busy, he helped me.
  • 電車でんしゃが遅おくれたため、授業じゅぎょうに間まに合あいませんでした。Because the train was delayed, I did not get to class on time.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

The test does not directly assess speaking or writing. No official vocabulary or kanji list is published, so examples are practice, not a prediction of questions.

Try it yourself

  1. 会議かいぎの結果けっかに＿＿、計画けいかくを見直みなおします。（基づいて／かかわらず／つれて）

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    基づいて

    基づいて means the results are the basis for revising the plan.

  2. 経験けいけんがある＿＿、準備じゅんびは必要ひつようです。（とはいえ／ために／ように）

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    とはいえ

    とはいえ acknowledges experience but qualifies it: preparation is still necessary.

  3. 説明せつめいを読よんだ＿＿、申込書もうしこみしょを出だしてください。（うえで／せいで／ばかり）

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    うえで

    うえで means to read the instructions first, then submit the application.

Use it today

Choose the expression that fits each sentence and identify the relationship between its clauses.