JLPT N5 study plan: 90 days from kana to exam-ready
A 90-day JLPT N5 study plan: weekly targets for vocabulary, grammar, listening, and mock exams, with daily time budgets that working adults can keep.
Days 1–14
Kana plus first greetings — the reading foundation for everything after.
Days 15–70
Core loop: 10–15 new words, one grammar point, and review, every day.
Days 71–90
Mock exams, weak-point repair, and listening stamina for test day.
What N5 actually requires
The exam expects roughly 800 vocabulary words, about 100 kanji, core particles, the basic verb conjugations (ます・て・ない・た), and the ability to follow slow, clear speech about daily life. It is a foundation check, not a trick test — which is why a plan beats raw grinding.
Phase 1 (days 1–14): own the kana
Two weeks of 20–30 daily minutes on hiragana and katakana, immediately reinforced by reading real N5 words. Do not extend this phase — perfectionism here is procrastination. You will keep polishing kana automatically while studying vocabulary.
Phase 2 (days 15–70): the core loop
The engine of the plan: 10–15 new words in example sentences, one grammar point, five minutes of listening, and — critically — scheduled review of everything from previous days. Two rest-review days a week keep the queue moving without burnout. By day 70 you should be at ~700 words and all core N5 grammar.
Phase 3 (days 71–90): calibrate with real questions
Switch from learning to testing: alternate full mock sections with targeted repair of whatever the mocks expose. Practice with authentic past-exam questions and train listening at real exam pace, including the discipline of moving on after a missed question instead of spiraling.
Making it survivable for busy people
The plan needs 45–60 minutes daily. If life allows only 30, stretch phase 2 by three weeks rather than cutting review — retention is the load-bearing wall. A system that assembles each day automatically from your progress, like OK Nihongo does, removes the nightly "what should I study" decision that kills most self-study plans.
Frequently asked questions
Is 90 days enough for N5?
For most learners at 45–60 minutes a day, yes. Starting from zero with under 30 minutes a day, plan for four to five months instead.
What if I fall behind the schedule?
Cut new material, never review. A smaller vocabulary you actually retain scores higher than a larger one you have half-forgotten.
Do I need past exam papers?
Yes — authentic questions calibrate difficulty and format better than any textbook drill. OK Nihongo includes real past JLPT questions with instant scoring.
Should I study kanji separately for N5?
No separate kanji grind at this level. Learn the ~100 N5 kanji inside the vocabulary they appear in.