Preparing for the JLPT Exam

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. For 2010, I decided to take the N3 rather than jumping up to the N2, due to other unrelated projects and overall lack of time to prepare. In 2011 though, it will be the N2 for me.

Understanding the JLPT

The JLPT is one of a few tests of Japanese-language proficiency, but it is arguably the most widely-used and most well-known. Through 2009, the test had 4 levels, with level 4 covering only basic greetings, vocabulary and such, and level 1 being very advanced. Many jobs in Japan require at least JLPT Level 2 proficiency.

However, in 2010, the format of the test changed. Robert of the blog “Shiawase” posted an overview of the new changes, which can be summarized in two ways:

• 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 (as in “new”?). This website provides an excellent breakdown of the new test structure. Presumably, old certifications will still be valid, but just have a different name (N4, not JLPT3, for example).
• The test will have a new passing standard such that people must pass all sections with a sufficient score, not just the entire test. This is a much needed change to ensure that people actually do develop sufficient language skills to pass the test, not just memorize things.
• Test specifications are no longer provided, which means JLPT study material going forward won’t completely reflect the JLPT. Instead, a person will have to rely more on their own self-study, and actual exposure to the language. Once again, this is to avoid people who just cram for the test, but have no real language skill.

Another excellent overview can be found here.

The test still has five requisite skills candidates must demonstrate proficiency in:

• Kanji (Chinese characters)
• Vocabulary
• Listening
• Grammar
• Reading comprehension

The test is multiple choice, and no writing or speaking. For those interested in testing their ability to read/write kanji, consider the Kanken proficiency test instead.

Which JLPT level is right for me?

That’s a good question. Many people come to Japanese with various backgrounds, and it’s hard to “step into the stream” at first, since you are not sure what your level. The JLPT foundation has a new set of sample tests for each N level. They’re very short sample test, but provide a good overview of what that level looks like.

I passed the old JLPT3 (now N4) last year, and wanted to see if I was ready for the N2 (old JLPT2), so I took a sample test and realized how much harder the N2 test is. If I had the time to cram, I don’t believe I could absorb and practice that much material for the N2 in one year, so as mentioned above, I opted for the N3 instead, which based on the sample tests, seems more appropriate anyway.

Personally, I feel you should challenge yourself, so if you pick a level that’s easy for you, you will not really accomplish anything (unless the test will be held soon). On the other hand, if you pick a level too far above, you can get discouraged and give up if you are impatient for results. The middle ground seems right: pick a level that’s a little bit above your skill level, it gives you a challenge to work toward. Nothing worthwhile in life comes easy.

How long do I have to prepare?

This depends on the level of the test of course. Easier levels require less time, while higher levels can take even years to prepare for, because there’s so much material to learn. I can’t stress this enough: memorizing something isn’t enough. This is a foreign language, not mathematics. Languages require huge amounts of practice, so that the words and grammar become internalized, and almost as automatic as your native language. Listening, especially, requires lots of time to practice. If you see or hear a certain word in Japanese a few times, you may get familiar with it, but if 200 times, it becomes rote. Grammar also requires a lot of practice to construct sentences correctly, determine what particle is appropriate and so on.

Since for most people the test is only offered in December, it’s good to start early in January, as I did last year with the JLPT3/N4. If it is a lower-level test, you can master the material in a few months, and practice during the rest of the time. The higher levels of course require a lot more time to absorb all the material, then practice to proficiency. Plan to spend a few years studying possibly, especially for the N1.

This website, again, provides a nice overview of the levels and how much study time is expected to pass.

If you’re looking for other sample tests, you can also try using the sample JLPT tests from JapanesePod101.com.

Books

Anyone whose serious about the JLPT and learning Japanese should consider investing in test and study materials. Nothing worthwhile in life comes free.

Unfortunately, with the change in test some books may no longer be valid. However, I believe that since the language itself remains largely unchanged, studying for the old-style JLPT2 is still very helpful for the new N2, for example. Likewise, studying for the old JLPT3 is still helpful for the N4, if you really spend the time to practice, including listening.

In addition, lots of good JLPT resources can be purchased here as well. This year, in preparation for the N3 and eventually the N2, I purchased a lot of materials, of which I like so far:

• The JLPT2 Kanji flashcards by White Rabbit Press. These are still the gold-standard for kanji flashcards, and have already proven useful. I used White Rabbit Press Kanji Flashcards for JLPT N5 and N4. to fruition on the N4.
• Unicom’s Listening Practice for JLPT2/N2 (JLPT3/N4 book was also good).
• Kiku Training, a listening practice book not for the JLPT3, but ideal for N3 level.

For anyone taking the N3 or above, other generic books on Japanese studies I highly recommend are:

• All About Japanese Particles by Kodansha Press. Particles are a very important part of Japanese language, and this book is a solid overview. I recommend for N3 and above.
• Basic Connections: Making your Japanese Flow by Kodansha Press. A very useful book overall on Japanese grammar, ideal for N4 to N2.
• The Handbook of Japanese Verbs by Kodansha Press. A good review of Japanese verbs, how to conjugate, and easy to remember tricks too. Even though it may be a little advanced, I recommend for at least N4, which already covers most verb forms.
• The Handbook of Japanese Adjectives and Adverbs by Kodansha Press. This book covers in great detail Adjectives and Adverbs, conjugation, and (for adverbs) the various nuances they have.

The previous list contains books not directly focused on the JLPT, but beyond N4, you really have to start investing time to learn the whole language, not just select material for the JLPT. The higher-level tests become so broad, you will benefit a lot from general, Japanese-language studies.

Practice Tests

First and foremost, take the official sample tests first, so you can gauge the proper level for yourself.

Once that’s done, the key to preparing for the JLPT exam is practice, practice, practice. Without practicetests, 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. These recommendations below are various practice tests, most of which I’ve used previously for the JLPT3/N4:

• By far the best choice is the past JLPT exams, which are now available for purchase at White Rabbit Press among other places. Even though the test has changed in 2010, I purchased the N2 sample tests for 2004-2006 because the overall structure is the same, and the difficulty is about the same. Previously, for the N4/JLPT3 test, I found the past exams also very useful, and can’t recommend them enough.
• Before taking the actual past exams, I found that another good source is the “Kanzen Master” series. This is the book for the N2, and previously I found the N4 past exams to be real useful. They’re a bit harder than the actual past exams, but they really test you good, and have useful dianostic information at the end. This is also a harder book to get unless you order from Japan itself (e.g. Amazon JP, Kinokuniya Bookstore, etc), but a good supplement to the past examples.
• JapanesePod101.com has additional sample tests and resources for the JLPT too.
• The unofficial JLPT Study Page also has nice diagnostic tests based on past exams.

Listening Resources

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.

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, and requires a lot of time for your mind to adjust to the different sounds and words. If you practice enough, you will find the listening sections surprisingly easy because you just get used to hearing it so much!

For last year’s JLPT3, I was surprised by how easy some questions were, because I spent so much time getting used to how Japanese sounds. Having a Japanese spouse helps, but this is a skill anyone can acquire if you’re patient, and spend a little time each day. You cannot cram for listening, it just takes consistency and practice.

Vocabularly, Practice

Vocabulary is a tricky subject, especially now that the JLPT is moving away from set lists people can memorize and cram for, but it’s also one of the fundamental building blocks of a language. Having passed the N4 level comfortably, I decided to branch out into real Japanese reading materials like Manga and such. The White Rabbit Press’s Graded Reader Series became too easy by this point (though quite fun to read and helped me pass the N4), so it was only natural.

Also, my wife pointed out that my memorization of vocabulary wasn’t helping because I didn’t understand the right context and usage, so reading real Japanese manga would address this. There are certain tricks to doing this, but if once you get used to not knowing all the words, you can rapidly develop your vocabulary by making a note of new words, using a good online dictionary like jisho.org, and storing the information into Anki for practice later. It’s a kind of cycle that quickly proves useful, I believe.

If you still want definitive source for JLPT vocabulary and other information, this 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. The overlap, plus extra listening brings things together well, and I spent many hours in the past listening to their lessons before graduating to actual Podcasts 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, but also learning the proper usage and context, which are also tested in the exam as well!

As far as what order to practice, here’s my approach so far:

1. 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.
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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, but the process is essentially the same. So, adjust the plan above with the time-scale appropriate for you, and get started.

Conclusion

The debate about how relevant the JLPT is is nothing new to the Internet, but for me, as a Japanophile and student of the language, I found it a very motivating benchmark for my own studies. I know from first-hand experience that studying for the JLPT and practicing the material a lot helped my real-life experiences in Japan, so it’s not time wasted if you really do want to learn the language.

For me, it’s both a hobby and fun challenge. I hope you will enjoy it was much as I have. Good luck!