What should I expect to see in JLPT 5?


I am using various programs to study Japanese: audio CD's, Ja Sensei and
TenguGo Japanese. Kanji are grouped by JLPT levels. Often kanji bleed across
various levels. For example

車: くるま

An example word for JLPT 5:

自転車

The example also includes two characters from JLPT 4. Ive seen examples of
Kanji from JLPT 2 and I think even 1 in there too!

What should I expect to see in JLPT 5? Do I need to know all meanings for a
kanji and even all combinations including kanji from levels far and above my
skill level? What about grammar?




Since the establishment of the new JLPT levels, there are [no official test
specifications](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/faq/index.html) - that means no official
list of "N5 kanji" exists. Many sites use the old test specifications to
estimate what is required for the new tests (except for N3, which was an
entirely new level).

The entirety of the test is in Japanese, including instructions for the
questions. At N5 you will be required to recognise the readings of kanji words
in the appropriate context (i.e. you see a sentence with 自転車 in it, and can
choose the right reading for it). There is little kanji used in the grammar
and reading questions, and what there is is supplied with furigana.

It may be that there are vocabulary words on your list shown in kanji, when
that kanji would not be used in the actual test.

Sample questions can be seen at the [official
site](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/forlearners.html).




Since the establishment of the new JLPT levels, there are [no official test
specifications](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/faq/index.html) - that means no official
list of "N5 kanji" exists. Many sites use the old test specifications to
estimate what is required for the new tests (except for N3, which was an
entirely new level).

The entirety of the test is in Japanese, including instructions for the
questions. At N5 you will be required to recognise the readings of kanji words
in the appropriate context (i.e. you see a sentence with 自転車 in it, and can
choose the right reading for it). There is little kanji used in the grammar
and reading questions, and what there is is supplied with furigana.

It may be that there are vocabulary words on your list shown in kanji, when
that kanji would not be used in the actual test.

Sample questions can be seen at the [official
site](http://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/forlearners.html).

