Inspired by Robert’s excellent JLPT level 3 Roundup page, I wanted to chronicle my efforts to pass the JLPT and what works for me, and what doesn’t. Also, I wanted to share more general advice for mastering Japanese language, which is reputed to be one of the most difficult in the world, and to help others prepare for the JLPT. As of writing I am studying for the JLPT 3, with the intent of studying for the JLPT2 starting next year (assuming I pass “3″).
Which test is right for you?
Starting out, I wasn’t sure if I should take the JLPT3 or the JLPT4, and you need to plan pretty early because you can’t cram for these tests. Good language skills come from long-term and frequent practice. As Robert states above, you can go through the material quickly enough, but it takes much longer to practice it until you’re good at it.
Here’s the official JLPT sample page, which will give you an idea where your skill set is. Don’t shoot too far ahead, but also try to challenge yourself too. If you’re preparing a year early, and have a good, consistent practice plan, you would be surprised how much you can advance. If you’re brand new to Japanese though, you may want to start with JLPT 4, and then move on to 3. JLPT2 is far harder and takes 2-3 years to master the material.
If you’re still not sure, try using JapanesePod101.com’s JLPT practice tests as well. Other materials can be found there for mastering the JLPT.
New Test Structure starting 2010
As of 2010, the JLPT will undergo a major change by adding a “fifth” level between JLPT 2 and JLPT 3. Also, the test names will change to “N” levels. This website provides an excellent breakdown of the new test structure. Presumably, old certifications will still be valid, but just have a different (N4, not JLPT3, for example).
Books
Here are some helpful books I have purchased to help prepare:
- The JLPT 3 Grammar Excercise Book
- The JLPT 3 Mock Test book (x2)
- White Rabbit Press Kanji Flashcards for Level 3 and 4 JLPT
- Japanese Graded Readers Vol. 1 – Level 3 (includes CD) (levels 1-4 are available, all are recommended)
In addition, JLPT resources can be purchased here as well.
Practice Tests
The key to preparing for the exam is practice, practice, practice. Without practice, you cannot see where you are weak, and where you are making frequent mistakes. A surprising number of resources are available if you know where to look:
- JLPT Info is the main site for free online tests for the JLPT, but you have to register in Japanese to access those tests, and their answers.
- JLPT Study Page is another site, but contains not complete tests, but sample mock sections to get an idea of what to expect.
- The Japan Shop recently began selling real tests from the JLPT, including this nice package, which contains three tests from 2004-2006 for JLPT 3.
- The JLPT 3 Mock Test book (x2) is not an actual test of the JLPT, but actually does a nice job approximating the real thing, with an excellent analysis section at the end.
Listening
As I posted before, listening is one of the hardest aspects of learning a language, and can make the difference on the JLPT. This is also the hardest skill to cultivate when preparing for the JLPT, but really pays off in the long-run. The previous post, linked above, contains some resources for online web casts, daily streaming media and so on. Dynamic content is the best way to get used to the many kinds of conversations you can face in Japan, as well as on the JLPT. A good example is Japanese language podcasts, if you can access those.
Remember the JLPT listening questions are intended to be tricky, with lots of sidetracks, red-herrings and other useless information, so you need to learn how to relax when listening and absorb the whole sentence, rather than fixating on the first thing you learn. It’s a habit that must be overcome when learning a language.
Vocabularly, Practice
Also, a great definitive source for JLPT vocabulary and other information can be found at the JLPT Study Page, which you can then dump into the excellent Anki service for practice. Lastly, you can look for help at JapanesePod101.com, which is not focused on the JLPT explicitly, but contains a lot of helpful resources for learning the language, and covers many of the same grammar points over the course of its lessons. This also can help with general communication in Japanese. A lot of problems in communication with Japanese is knowing what people are saying (the words), and how to express yourself clearly and concisely, so vocabulary studies really help.
As far as what order to practice, here’s my approach so far:
- Start right away with kanji and vocabulary. Get the material memorized pretty well, otherwise you will struggle with more difficult sections like listening, grammar and reading comprehension.
- As the same time, start finding a way to practice listening consistently and often. Listening in general is the hardest skill to learn for a language, so you need all the time you can get. A decent score in the listening section will make all the difference, and will have very practical applications in communicating with Japanese people. It’s time well spent!
- Once you the vocabulary and kanji out of the way (takes a few months), start on grammar. Grammar may not take long to learn, but it does take a long time to practice, and also has practical benefits in communication, and in the listening section too.
- As you get familiar with kanji, vocabulary and grammar, now you should start taking practice tests. Start with mock tests first if you have them, then move onto the real tests. The mock tests published can be slightly harder than the real test, but that’s preferable as it will discipline you well ahead of the real test.
- Once done, focus on the real tests, and spend a lot of time now going over your weak areas. Like most people, listening is probably your hardest subject still, so do everything you can to immerse yourself. If you have access to the older tests, take those too and learn how the flow of the test goes.
The time-scale here will vary depending on which test you take. JLPT3 can definitely be passed in a year if you start in January/February, have a consistent plan and just practice a lot. JLPT 4 can be passed in 6 months. JLPT 2 seems to take about 2-3 years, or even one year for the really dedicated. JLPT1, I presume, takes even longer. Further information on the time-scale with regard to the new test structure can be found here. So, adjust the plan above with the time-scale appropriate for you, and get started. Good luck!
This blog is the reflection of my efforts to explore fatherhood, Buddhism and my love of Japanese culture. Anything useful I can pass along makes the Internet hopefully a better place.
Aaahhh very good very good.
You say “JLPT3 can definitely be passed in a year [...]. JLPT 4 can be passed in 6 months. JLPT 2 seems to take about 2-3 years, or even one year”.
Does this mean you consider that 3kyuu can be passed after one year of study, or after 1 year plus 6 months for 4kyuu?
In any case, while 3kyuu CAN be passed in a year, I don’t think this reflects the situation of most students, at least that of students outside of Japan.
Matthew Thank you, sir.
Alexandre Welcome to the JLR. Regarding your question, I assume you mean someone whose doing this entirely from scratch. If so, you should definitely go for the JLPT 4 first, which takes about 6 months of consistent study and practice. Then, you should think about the JLPT3, which takes another year. So that would 1.5 years in total.
As for whether a student can pass level 3 in a year, I think it really depends on the student. I skipped 4 altogether, but I started preparing for 3 in January, and have had a whole year. So far things are looking pretty hopeful. That’s why I dumped as much info as I could onto the blog to help empower others to do the same.
The issue isn’t so much time, but investment. If you invest the time, and do it consistently, your language skills will improve. It’s easy to make a great start, but harder to stay with it. But if you want the certification enough, you’ll find you had strength you never thought possible.
Part of it also is creating a no-fail environment, so that rather than relying on willpower, you setup your environment so you don’t have to force yourself. Instead you’re just exposed to it a lot. Exposure is the best way to learn a language, and if you can manipulate your environment, even outside of Japan, to be conducive to learning Japanese, you will learn it without really trying.
The materials for level 4 and 3 aren’t that great in size or content. It’s the absorption and practice of the material that takes a while. I crammed a lot in the first months, and then spent all the time until now just practicing and taking more practice tests (or old tests sold above).
Investment and exposure. That’s the two key elements. If you’re taking the JLPT, I wish you the best of luck!
Thanks for the input. I started a year ago exactly and I will give JLPT3 a go this December. I am guessing I am just around the passing grade now.
So, best of luck to the both of us!
I’ll think you’ll do fine.
If you can get a hold of old JLPT tests and do a few of those, you’ll really get some preparation accomplished. Above all else, practice, practice, practice!
I am using the white rabbit kanji cards too, I think they are wonderful even if you don’t plan on taking JLPT. I’m not even sure if I’ll end up taking the test, I just want to get more proficient and get my reading skills up to where I can actually read anything!
alchymyst: The JLPT provides a nice benchmark, and for me at least, a reason to keep studying (a milestone in my studies), but I didn’t for a long time, so I know where you are coming from.
What a fantastic blog! I’m enjoying reading posts like this. I’ve found myself getting discouraged, but after reading your suggestions on studying for the JLPT, I’m ready to start digging in! Thanks
Hi Jay and welcome to the JLR. Glad this helped. It’s easy to get discouraged, but if you set aside any mental misgivings and just keep at it, you can’t help but improve.
Best of luck in your studies.