The JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) is usually held twice a year, in July and December. According to the official date, the JLPT December 2026 exam is on Sunday, 6 December 2026. This post covers what to do in the roughly 8 weeks left if you are registered, and what to do next if you are not. (Always check the official JLPT site for exact and up-to-date information.)
Prefer Hindi? यह पोस्ट हिंदी में पढ़ें.
The exam and registration: what we know
- Date: Sunday, 6 December 2026. The usual schedule has N1 and N2 in the morning session and N3, N4 and N5 in the afternoon.
- In India: the Japan Foundation runs the test with local host institutions, and registration dates and fees can differ by city. Test cities listed for this round commonly include New Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
- Registration: at several Indian centres (for example Chennai and Delhi) registration for the December exam took place in August. If you have not applied yet, confirm with your city’s host institution whether any seats remain.
If you are already registered: an 8-week plan (N5)
This plan is for N5 beginners. If you are sitting N4 or higher, spend the first 3 weeks reviewing and split the rest of the time according to your level.
| Week | What to do | Read |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Master hiragana (reading and writing) | Hiragana chart |
| 2 | Master katakana | Katakana chart, Katakana anime titles |
| 3 | Greetings, numbers and basic sentences | Japanese greetings, Japanese numbers 1–100 |
| 4 | Particles (は, が, を, に, で) and basic sentence structure | Learn Japanese from anime |
| 5 | ます-form verbs, time and dates | Lessons from your course or textbook |
| 6 | Adjectives and kanji basics (days, numbers, people, places) | JLPT N5 guide |
| 7 | Reading and listening practice | Official JLPT sample questions |
| 8 | A full sample paper against the clock; revise weak areas | Your mistake list |
If you have not registered: what now?
- Start preparing for the next exam. The next exam is usually in July. Check dates and registration windows on jlpt.jp and with your city’s host institution.
- You have plenty of time. In those months you can comfortably master hiragana and katakana, basic grammar and N5 vocabulary.
- Choose your level first. N5 if you are a complete beginner; if you know some Japanese, try a sample paper at your level.
Checklist before exam day
- Read your centre’s exam-day notice: what to bring (admission voucher, ID, pencil, eraser) and what is not allowed (phones and so on).
- Check the route and travel time to the centre in advance.
- Do one full sample paper under exam conditions.
- In the last week, revise more and learn less.
Frequently asked questions
When is JLPT December 2026?
Sunday, 6 December 2026. See the official JLPT site for details.
Is the JLPT held in India?
Yes, in selected cities. Registration for each city is handled by a different institution, so get your city’s information from them.
Is it fine to start with N5?
Yes, if you are new to Japanese. N5 is the basic level. For more detail see JLPT N5 guide.
Is LearnLingo’s course enough for the JLPT?
LearnLingo’s Japanese course (Early Access) helps with basic Japanese, but it is not affiliated with the JLPT and cannot guarantee a pass. Practise with the official sample papers as well.
Related reading
- How to Learn Japanese
- Is Japanese Hard to Learn for Hindi Speakers?
- Can You Learn Japanese from Anime?
- Hiragana Chart
Keep going with Japanese
LearnLingo’s Japanese course (Early Access) is explained in English or Hindi. The free part covers hiragana, katakana, basic grammar (Grammar I) and everyday vocabulary and conversation. Premium unlocks the later units: Grammar II, reading and kanji foundations, conversation and listening, and workplace Japanese.
Premium starts at ₹799/month or $9.99/month (3 months: ₹1,999 or $24.99; 12 months: ₹6,499 or $79.99). Payment is by UPI and Premium is activated manually within a few hours; the pricing page shows the current steps. Try the free units first and upgrade only if you like them.
Prefer Hindi explanations? See Japanese Foundations (Hindi) or the Premium plans.