The JLPT and speaking
Does the JLPT have a speaking test?
Three ways to check your spoken Japanese
No. The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has no speaking test at any level from N1 to N5. Its sections are language knowledge, reading and listening, and there is no writing test either. The official site says there are currently no plans to add one (checked on 12 November 2026). So even if you have passed N2 or N1, your speaking has to be checked some other way.
What the JLPT measures
The JLPT has sections on language knowledge (vocabulary and grammar), reading, and listening. There is no speaking or writing section at any level from N1 to N5.
| N1, N2 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading; Listening |
|---|---|
| N3, N4, N5 | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary); Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading; Listening |
| How you answer | Multiple choice, marked on an answer sheet |
| When | Twice a year, in July and December. Outside Japan, some cities hold only one of the two |
Asked whether the JLPT includes a conversation or composition test, the official FAQ answers that neither is currently included. It also says there are currently no plans to add speaking or writing tests (JLPT official FAQ, checked on 12 November 2026).
Why passing N2 or N1 does not necessarily mean you can speak
On the JLPT you pick the right answer from the choices given. When you speak, you have to recall the words yourself, build the sentence, and say it in sounds the other person can make out. There is a gap between words you understand when you read them and words that come out when you talk.
The JLPT publishes a “Can-do Self-Evaluation List”, and it includes items about speaking. But the list comes from a survey of what people who passed think they can do. It is not a measurement of speaking.
In short, a JLPT pass is evidence of language knowledge, reading and listening. It says nothing either way about how well you speak.
Three ways to check your speaking
Which one fits depends on what you need it for.
| Way | Who listens | What you learn | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take a speaking test (such as the ACTFL OPI) | A certified tester | Your level on that test’s scale | When a school or employer asks for a result from a specific test |
| Ask a teacher for a level check | A Japanese-language teacher | Where you are now, your weak points, and what to study | When you take lessons and want to fix things as you learn |
| Have a Japanese person listen to a recording (AUN) | A Japanese person who is not a teacher | Which parts of your recording got through and which were hard to follow | When you want a quick check of how your speaking comes across |
1. Take a speaking test
Some tests measure speaking only. One example is the ACTFL OPI: a live 15- to 30-minute phone conversation with a certified tester. It is offered in Japanese, and individuals can order it themselves through LTI.
If you need to submit a result to a school or an employer, ask them first which test they accept. Tests differ in where you can take them and in whether individuals can apply.
2. Ask a teacher for a level check
Japanese-language teachers are used to hearing learners. They can find your weak points and tell you what to study next. If you already take lessons, asking your teacher is the quickest way.
3. Have a Japanese person listen to a recording
Here a Japanese person who is not a teacher listens to your recording and tells you how it came across. In everyday conversation, people rarely point out the parts they did not catch. AUN (阿吽) is a test that gives you that feedback as a result.
What you can do with AUN
AUN is a Japanese speaking test that takes about 10 minutes on your phone. You answer questions out loud and get an AI review as soon as you finish (it has no scores). If you ask after the test, a Japanese person listens to your recording and sends back a result. You can ask once a week, and results usually arrive in a few days.
The Japanese listener’s result gives you scores for six skills (content, organisation, fluency, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation), ○△× marks for 13 situations, and the one thing to fix next. You do not need to book, and it is free for now (first come, first served).
There are things it cannot do. There is one listener at present (Namba, who runs AUN), and it does not measure keigo or back-and-forth such as asking the other person to repeat. An AUN result is a guide, not official proof. You cannot submit it for a visa, admission or a job application. AUN scores do not correspond to JLPT levels N1 to N5 either. It does not replace the JLPT; you use it alongside the JLPT to find out how well you speak. More detail is in What is AUN?
AUN is run by 1900 Co., Ltd. It is not affiliated with the organisers of the JLPT or with ACTFL. What this article says about the JLPT and the ACTFL OPI was checked against their official sites on 12 November 2026. Please check the official sites for the latest information before you take a test.
Frequently asked questions
Are there plans to add a speaking test to the JLPT?
The official site says there are currently no plans to add one (checked on 12 November 2026). JLPT score reports now carry a CEFR level for reference, but the site says there are no plans to add speaking or writing tests to go with it.
Does passing N1 prove that I can speak Japanese?
No. N1 is evidence of language knowledge, reading and listening. The JLPT does not measure speaking.
Does the JFT-Basic have a speaking test?
No. The JFT-Basic has four sections: Script and Vocabulary, Conversation and Expression, Listening Comprehension, and Reading Comprehension. “Conversation and Expression” asks you to choose grammar and expressions used in conversation. You do not speak aloud.
Do AUN scores correspond to JLPT levels?
No. They measure different things: the JLPT looks at language knowledge, reading and listening, and AUN looks at speaking.