N5 is the most basic level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and just requires you to understand some basic Japanese. The N5 level basically ensures you can understand basic sentences and typical expressions written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji as well as from spoken conversations. It consists of 80 kanji.

N4, while slightly more advanced, has the same description, to understand some basic Japanese. The N4 part of the JLPT however focuses on more common daily interactions. It consists 170 kanji

N3 is the intermediate level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and is described as the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree. This is slightly more advanced than the previous levels in that spoken conversations are to be understood at near-natural speed rather than slow and understand more day-to-day writings such as in newspaper headlines.It consists of 370 kanji.

N2 is where things start to get, again, more complicated and is described as the ability to understand Japanese in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree. As one of the highest levels of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, you are required to not only understand a handful of general topics, but comprehend the intent and narrative behind them. It consists of 380 kanji.

N1 is the advanced level and therefore the most complicated, and is described as the ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances. At the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, you are required to be able to read and listen with logical complexity and comprehend both the structures and content comprehensively. In writing you are required to read written materials with profound contents, follow the narrative and understand the intent of the writers comprehensively. It consists of 1136 kanji.