NAT Preparation Course
Language Training Services
You've already passed N5, or you know your Hiragana, Katakana, and basic grammar cold. Now the question is whether you're actually ready for the next step — "NAT-TEST N4" — and whether this course gets you there without wasting the progress you've already made.
N4 builds directly on N5: more grammar, more Kanji, faster listening, longer reading passages. It's a meaningfully stronger credential for a Japanese language school application than N5 alone, and it's often the level schools start looking for more seriously.
This course doesn't re-teach what you already know. It picks up from N5 and pushes you toward N4, matched to the real exam format — not generic intermediate Japanese.
"NAT-TEST" runs from Level 5 (beginner) to Level 1 (advanced), and N4 is one step up from N5.
NAT-TEST N4 assumes you already know basic Hiragana, Katakana, and N5-level grammar — this course isn't the place to start from zero.
Schools and applications generally treat an N4 result as a more competitive credential than N5 — it signals you can function with real independence in basic Japanese, not just recognize it.
If you're starting from zero or haven't yet covered N5-level material, join our NAT-N5 course first — N4 moves fast, and skipping the foundation means struggling to keep up rather than actually progressing.
Like N5, NAT-TEST N4 is tested across three sections:
Test frequency: NAT-TEST is held around six times a year — the same advantage over JLPT's twice-yearly schedule that applies at every level.
Test fee: around NPR 4,500–5,000 (confirm exact current fee, as it can shift slightly by sitting)
Next test date: the application window for the October 2026 sitting has already closed. The next realistic sitting is likely November or December 2026 — confirm the exact date and application deadline with our office.
Ask at the office for the next available batch and how it lines up with the next NAT-TEST sitting.
We'll help you figure out which applies to your target school before you finish this course.
Do I need to pass NAT-N5 before joining NAT-N4?
You need N5-level Japanese — Hiragana, Katakana, and basic grammar — whether that comes from passing NAT-N5, JLPT N5, or equivalent self-study. If you're not there yet, start with our NAT-N5 course.
Is NAT-N4 equivalent to JLPT N4?
They're built to the same difficulty standard and cover similar ground, but they're separate tests from separate organizations. NAT-TEST is held about six times a year; JLPT only twice.
Is NAT-N4 accepted by Japanese language schools?
Many schools accept it, often as an alternative when JLPT results aren't available in time. Requirements vary by school, so we confirm what your specific target school accepts before you commit to a test.
How long does it take to go from N5 to N4?
This course runs 3 to 4 months, though your actual pace depends on how solid your N5 foundation already is.
What comes after passing NAT-N4?
Most students either move toward N3 for a stronger application, or apply directly to their Japanese language school with the N4 result, depending on what the school requires.
Book a seat in the next Hetauda batch, or WhatsApp us at +977 9769741767 to check the next test date and current schedule.