Technically the JLPT only includes reading and listening comprehension and nothing else. So if you pass the N5 those are the skills you have been tested on. In practice however people use self-assessed JLPT levels pretty arbitrarily. You will absolutely see people say “I can speak on an N4 level”.
I think in terms of speaking you can knock down 2-3 JLPT levels
For example, if someone is n1, their speaking might be around n3 or n4 depending on how much they practice. From my experience anyway.
On the flip side you can get some n2 people who are super fluent but I’ve seen the former much more, especially regarding people of Asian decent who’ve passed it.
But of course since you’re not tested on speaking it’ll depend on how much you speak and how much effort has been put into making it natural
2 comments
Technically the JLPT only includes reading and listening comprehension and nothing else. So if you pass the N5 those are the skills you have been tested on. In practice however people use self-assessed JLPT levels pretty arbitrarily. You will absolutely see people say “I can speak on an N4 level”.
I think in terms of speaking you can knock down 2-3 JLPT levels
For example, if someone is n1, their speaking might be around n3 or n4 depending on how much they practice. From my experience anyway.
On the flip side you can get some n2 people who are super fluent but I’ve seen the former much more, especially regarding people of Asian decent who’ve passed it.
But of course since you’re not tested on speaking it’ll depend on how much you speak and how much effort has been put into making it natural