If you are searching for the NAT exam date 2026 in India, you have come to the right page. This is the only guide you need — covering every test date, the registration process, exam fees, levels, syllabus, passing marks, and results, all sourced directly from the official NAT-TEST website nat-test.jp.
Bookmark this page. It is updated every time official schedules are released.
The Japanese Language NAT-TEST (日本語NAT-TEST) is an internationally recognised examination that measures the Japanese language ability of non-native speakers. It is created, organised, and administered by Senmon Kyouiku Publishing Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan).
Key facts at a glance:
The NAT exam is the most popular Japanese proficiency test among Indian learners because of its frequent schedule and faster results compared to the JLPT. If you are wondering which exam is right for you, read our detailed NAT vs JLPT comparison guide.
Source: Official NAT-TEST 2026 Schedule — Updated April 22, 2026
⚠️ Important: Seats fill up fast. The application may close before the deadline if capacity is full. Register as early as possible.
| # | Registration Deadline | Test Date | Available Test Cities |
| 1 | January 9, 2026 | February 8, 2026 | New Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata |
| 2 | March 6, 2026 | April 5, 2026 | New Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata |
| 3 | April 17, 2026 | May 17, 2026 | Chennai, Kolkata only |
| 4 | May 15, 2026 | June 14, 2026 | Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata |
| 5 | June 12, 2026 | July 12, 2026 | New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata |
| 6 | July 17, 2026 | August 16, 2026 | New Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata |
| 7 | August 28, 2026 | September 27, 2026 | Chennai, Kolkata only |
| 8 | September 18, 2026 | October 18, 2026 | New Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai |
| 9 | October 16, 2026 | November 15, 2026 | Chennai, Kolkata only |
| 10 | November 13, 2026 | December 13, 2026 | New Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata |
📌 Note: Not all cities offer every test date. New Delhi has 6 dates; Chennai and Kolkata have the most with nearly monthly testing. Always confirm with your local test centre before registering.
Next upcoming major test: August 16, 2026 — available in all 5 cities (registration deadline: July 17, 2026).
India currently has 5 official NAT-TEST centres. Each centre manages its own registration separately.
| Field | Details |
| Centre Name | UNICOSMOS School |
| Contact Person | Mr. Manav Mittal |
| Address | Off Golf Course Road, Sector 55, Gurgaon, Haryana – 122011 |
| Phone | +91 124 479 4242 |
| nattest@unicosmos.in | |
| Online Registration | unicosmos.in/nat-test |
| Test Fee | ₹2,360 (inclusive of GST) |
New Delhi test dates 2026: February 8, April 5, July 12, August 16, October 18, December 13
💡 Tip for Delhi NCR students: The New Delhi centre is physically in Gurgaon (Sector 55). Students from Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad should factor in travel time. See our Japanese courses in Noida and Ghaziabad pages for local preparation support.
| Country | Fee |
| India | ₹2,360 (inclusive of GST) |
This fee is the same for all levels (5Q to 1Q) and applies to all test centres in India.
⚠️ Official Warning from NAT-TEST: "No additional fees other than the test fee is charged. Please apply for the test at your local office only." Do not pay anyone except the official registered centre.
For comparison, see our JLPT Exam Fees Structure guide.
Registration is managed locally — there is no single national portal for India. Each city registers separately.
Step 1 — Choose your test date and city Use the schedule table above. Confirm your city is offering the exam on your date.
Step 2 — Contact your nearest test centre New Delhi/Gurgaon: +91 124 479 4242 or nattest@unicosmos.in Other cities: use the Facebook links listed above.
Step 3 — Submit the application form In person at the centre office, or online (New Delhi only) at unicosmos.in/nat-test.
Step 4 — Pay the registration fee ₹2,360 inclusive of GST. Pay only at the official centre — no third-party payments.
Step 5 — Receive your admit card / application ticket A photo-attached application ticket will be issued. Carry original photo ID on exam day — identity is verified by proctors.
Step 6 — Appear for the exam Reach the venue before the reporting time. The exam takes approximately half a day to complete including breaks between sections.
📌 Register early. Seats are limited and close before the listed deadline.
See our step-by-step NAT Test Registration guide and our article on how to check NAT test results online.
The NAT-TEST has five levels, from 5Q (easiest) to 1Q (hardest), each directly equivalent to the corresponding JLPT level.
| NAT Level | JLPT Equivalent | Study Hours | Who It Is For |
| 5Q | N5 | ~200 hrs (1–3 months) | Complete beginners — basic vocabulary and grammar |
| 4Q | N4 | ~400 hrs (3–6 months) | Elementary — basic conversation, CEFR A2 certified |
| 3Q | N3 | ~600 hrs (6–9 months) | Intermediate — daily conversation and reading |
| 2Q | N2 | ~800 hrs (9–12 months) | Upper intermediate — vocational/university entry |
| 1Q | N1 | ~1000 hrs (12+ months) | Advanced — highest Japanese competence |
Most Indian beginners start at 5Q or 4Q. Our Basic Japanese N5 Course and Intermediate Japanese N4 Course are structured to take you to these levels.
For a full breakdown of differences between adjacent levels, read our JLPT N5 vs N4 comparison.
| Level | Topics Tested |
| 5Q | Kanji reading, orthography, contextual comprehension |
| 4Q | Kanji reading, orthography, contextual comprehension, synonyms, usage |
| 3Q | Kanji reading, expressions, contextual comprehension, synonyms, usage |
| 2Q | Kanji reading, orthography, word formation, contextual comprehension, synonyms, usage |
| 1Q | Kanji reading, contextual comprehension, synonyms, usage |
| Level | Grammar | Reading |
| 5Q | Conjugation, sentence composition, grammar in compositions | Short and medium-form writings, information retrieval |
| 4Q | Conjugation, sentence composition, grammar in compositions | Short and medium-form writings, information retrieval |
| 3Q | Conjugation, sentence composition, grammar in compositions | Short, medium and long-form writings, information retrieval |
| 2Q | Conjugation, sentence composition, grammar in compositions | Integrated comprehension, thematic comprehension, information retrieval |
| 1Q | Conjugation, sentence composition, grammar in compositions | Integrated comprehension, thematic comprehension, information retrieval |
| Level | Listening Content |
| 5Q | Task-based comprehension, key points, speech expressions, quick responses |
| 4Q | Task-based comprehension, key points, speech expressions, quick responses |
| 3Q | Task-based comprehension, key points, synopsis, speech expressions, quick responses |
| 2Q | Task-based comprehension, key points, synopsis, quick responses, integrated comprehension |
| 1Q | Task-based comprehension, key points, synopsis, quick responses, integrated comprehension |
For grammar patterns and vocabulary lists at each level, explore:
| Level | Section | Time | Questions |
| 5Q | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | 20 min | 21 |
| Language Knowledge (Grammar) + Reading | 40 min | 22 | |
| Listening | 30 min | 24 | |
| 4Q | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | 25 min | 28 |
| Language Knowledge (Grammar) + Reading | 55 min | 29 | |
| Listening | 35 min | 28 | |
| 3Q | Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | 30 min | 35 |
| Language Knowledge (Grammar) + Reading | 70 min | 39 | |
| Listening | 40 min | 28 | |
| 2Q | Language Knowledge + Reading (combined) | 105 min | 75 |
| Listening | 50 min | 32 | |
| 1Q | Language Knowledge + Reading (combined) | 110 min | 71 |
| Listening | 55 min | 31 |
You must meet both conditions to pass:
| Level | Max Score | Sectional Pass Mark | Overall Pass Mark |
| 5Q | 180 | 38 (Vocab+Grammar+Reading); 19 (Listening) | 80 points |
| 4Q | 180 | 38 (Vocab+Grammar+Reading); 19 (Listening) | 90 points |
| 3Q | 180 | 19 per section | 95 points |
| 2Q | 180 | 19 per section | 90 points |
| 1Q | 180 | 19 per section | 100 points |
⚠️ Even if your total exceeds the overall pass mark, failing the sectional pass mark in any one section means you do not pass. This mirrors the JLPT scoring system.
Preparation guides:
Results are published within 3 weeks of the test date. All examinees receive a detailed score report. Passing candidates also receive a Certificate of Proficiency with their photo attached.
Recent result: April 14, 2026 — Results for the April 2026 NAT-TEST were published.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our How to Check NAT Test Result Online guide.
| NAT-TEST | JLPT | |
| Frequency in India | Up to 10 times/year | 2 times/year |
| Levels | 5Q to 1Q (= N5–N1) | N5 to N1 |
| Fees (India) | ₹2,360 | ~₹1,500–₹2,500 |
| Results | Within 3 weeks | ~2 months |
| Certificate | Yes (with photo) | Yes |
| Best for | Progress tracking, frequent practice | Official global certification |
| Accepted by | Language schools, SSW visa, some employers | Universities, employers, visa globally |
The NAT exam is ideal for tracking your progress and building exam confidence because of its high frequency. Most serious learners use NAT exams throughout the year and sit JLPT for official certification.
Read more: NAT vs JLPT — Which Exam Should You Take? and NAT Test vs JLPT Detailed Comparison.
The NAT-TEST also offers a CBT (Computer-Based Test) format for learners who cannot access a physical test centre.
The next major all-India exam covering all 5 cities is August 16, 2026, with registration deadline July 17, 2026.
Deadlines fall roughly 4–6 weeks before each exam date. Register early — seats close before the listed deadline if capacity is reached. See the full schedule table above.
₹2,360 inclusive of GST for all levels at all Indian centres. No additional charges apply.
Up to 10 times in 2026 across Indian cities. Not all cities offer every date — Chennai and Kolkata have the most frequent dates.
No — they are separate exams by different organisations. However, both test equivalent content at matching levels (NAT 5Q = JLPT N5, etc.). See our full NAT vs JLPT guide.
A total of at least 80 out of 180 points, with a minimum of 38 in the combined Vocabulary+Grammar+Reading section and 19 in Listening.
Visit nat-test.jp/contents/result.html within 3 weeks of your test date and search by your examinee number. See our result checking guide.
Yes — the NAT-TEST is accepted for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa and other Japan visa pathways. Read our SSW Visa Japan from India guide.
Start with 5Q (equivalent to N5). After 3–6 months of study, you can move to 4Q. Our Japanese Language Courses for Beginners page will guide you.
Yes — you can register at any city's centre regardless of where you live. You must appear at the city you registered for on exam day.
Since the NAT and JLPT test the same content, all JLPT study materials apply directly to NAT preparation.
Official NAT-TEST textbook: The 学ぼう！にほんご (Manabo! Nihongo) series is available on Amazon India for all five levels.
At Japanese Language Delhi, our courses are structured around NAT and JLPT exam milestones. Experienced instructors take you from hiragana to exam-ready in a structured classroom environment.
Courses by level:
Find a centre near you:
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