Best books for JLPT N4 (2026)
For N4 we would pick Genki II to finish beginner grammar, then Try! N4 or Shin Kanzen Master N4 Grammar for exam-style grammar practice, and the official workbook for one real timed test. You do not need all four: most learners need one course book and one exam book.
| Book | What it covers | Exam section | Who it suits | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genki II Textbook (3rd Edition) ↗The Japan Times | CoversLessons 13 to 23 of the Genki course: grammar, vocabulary, kanji and reading | Exam sectionVocabulary, grammar and reading basics (not in exam format) | SuitsLearners who finished Genki I and are still building N4 grammar | LanguageEnglish explanations, Japanese text |
| Try! JLPT N4 (Revised Edition, English) ↗Ask Publishing | CoversN4 grammar taught through short scenes, then practice questions | Exam sectionGrammar | SuitsLearners who want to review N4 grammar with English notes | LanguageJapanese with English explanations |
| Shin Kanzen Master N4 Grammar ↗3A Corporation | CoversN4 grammar patterns, each followed by drills in the exam's formats | Exam sectionGrammar | SuitsLearners who know the grammar and want exam-style drills | LanguageJapanese with some English |
| JLPT Official Practice Workbook N4, Vol. 2 ↗Bonjinsha, for the test makers | CoversOne full N4 test made from real past questions, with listening audio | Exam sectionAll sections, including listening | SuitsAnyone 2 to 4 weeks out, as a timed rehearsal | LanguageJapanese only |
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If you only buy one
- If you finished Genki I and are still learning N4 grammar: Genki II (3rd ed.)
- If you know most N4 grammar and want English explanations to review it: Try! N4
- If you know the grammar and want exam-format drills: Shin Kanzen Master N4 Grammar
- If you are ready and want one real test before exam day: Official Practice Workbook N4 Vol. 2
Try! N4 or Shin Kanzen Master N4 Grammar?
Try! N4 explains each pattern in English inside a short scene, so it is better for learning or relearning grammar. Shin Kanzen Master explains mostly in Japanese and spends more pages on drills in the exam's question formats, so it suits learners who already know the patterns and want practice.
Which part of the N4 exam each book trains
The N4 exam takes 115 minutes. You need 90 of 180 points overall and the minimum in every scored section.
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) 文字・語彙
25 minutes
Books: Genki II (3rd ed.), Official Practice Workbook N4 Vol. 2
Free practice here: N4 vocabulary
Language Knowledge (Grammar) and Reading 文法・読解
55 minutes
Books: Genki II (3rd ed.), Try! N4, Shin Kanzen Master N4 Grammar, Official Practice Workbook N4 Vol. 2
Free practice here: N4 grammar, N4 reading
Listening 聴解
35 minutes
Books: Official Practice Workbook N4 Vol. 2
Free practice here: N4 listening
How to use them with our free N4 tests
- Take one numbered N4 practice set first. If the grammar questions are your weakest part, start with Try! N4 or Shin Kanzen Master; if everything feels new, start with Genki II.
- After each chapter, do the grammar questions from one N4 practice set and note the patterns you miss.
- Use the N4 vocabulary, kanji and listening pages for the parts these books barely cover.
- Two to four weeks before the exam, sit the official workbook under real timing, then the two original timed mocks in the Final Mock Pack.
JLPT N4 Final Mock Pack
2 original timed N4 mocks: vocabulary, grammar and reading.
or get the full JLPT N4 Study Pack for US$9.99 (includes these mocks)
What these books leave out
Only the official workbook covers listening. Our free N4 listening sets fill that gap.
JLPT Practice Test is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the JLPT administering organizations or the publishers listed here.