It has Five levels namely N1, N2, N3, N4, N5 respectively
N5 is the most basic and N1 is the most advanced. The JLPT consists of five levels. Until 2009, the test had four levels, with 4 being the lowest and 1 being the highest level of certification.
In Japan, the JLPT is administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) through the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES). Overseas, the Japan Foundation co-proctors test administration with local cultural exchange and/or educational institutions, or with committees specially established for this purpose.
A summary of Linguistic Competence required for each level:
N1 (Advanced Level)
The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances.
Reading:
One is able to read writings with logical complexity and/or abstract
writings on a variety of topics, such as newspaper editorials and critiques, and
comprehend both their structures and contents. One is also able to read written materials
with profound contents on various topics and
follow their narratives as well as understand the intent of the writers comprehensively.
Listening:
One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures, spoken at natural speed in a broad variety of settings, and is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents comprehensively. One is also able to understand the details of the presented materials such as the relationships
among the people involved, the logical structures, and the essential points.
N2 (Pre-Advanced Level )
The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree
Reading:
One is able to read materials written clearly on a variety of topics, such as articles and commentaries in newspapers and magazines as well as simple critiques, and comprehend their contents. One is also able to read written materials on general topics and follow their narratives as well as understand the intent of the writers.
Listening:
One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations and news reports, spoken at nearly natural speed in everyday situations as well as in a variety of settings, and is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents. One is also able to understand the relationships among the people involved and the essential points of the presented materials.
.
N3 (Intermediate Level)
The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree.
Reading:
One is able to read and understand written materials with specific contents concerning everyday topics. One is also able to grasp summary information such as newspaper headlines. In addition, one is also able to read slightly difficult writings encountered in everyday situations and understand the main points of the content if some alternative phrases are available to aid one’s understanding.
Listening:
One is able to listen and comprehend coherent conversations in everyday situations, spoken at near-natural speed, and is generally able to follow their contents as well as grasp the relationships among the people involved.
N4 (Elementary Level)
The ability to understand basic Japanese.
Reading:
One is able to read and understand passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji.
Listening:
One is able to listen and comprehend conversations encountered in daily life and generally follow their contents, provided that they are spoken slowly
N5 (Basic Level)
The ability to understand some basic Japanese.
Reading:
One is able to read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji
Listening:
One is able to listen and comprehend conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life and classroom situations and is able to pick up necessary information from short conversations spoken slowly.