JLPTできる！　JLPTに合格できる: How I Passed JLPT N4 and then N3

Monday, July 20, 2015

How I Passed JLPT N4 and then N3

I studied for about 5 months (self-study) using the following methods.
I used these methods for JLPT N4 and N3.
I think these would also work for N5, by all means.

I suggest doing this: Test yourself before you start your months of studies for the exam. Use a sample JLPT exam or a reviewer. You should be able to get around 45-50% correct answers overall at least before going on a 5-month self-study program.

For a classroom learning program with a teacher, I've heard some can get by on 2 months learning,
assuming this is all you do full-time. For me, 5 months was good.

So, what methods helped me pass the exams?

PASSIVE METHODS
1) Thru passive exposure to the language (listening and watching)

listening to Japanese songs
watching Japanese films with Kanji subtitles on (not English)
listening to Japanese language audio files designed for learning such as the ones from NHK

2) Use of SRS or Spaced Repetition Systems - vocabulary drilling on mobile phone

iKnow.jp - offline capable
renshuu.org
offline apps such as Obenkyo

3) Use of Kanji, grammar, vocabulary mailing lists - reading them everyday.

"ACTIVE" METHODS

1) Attempts to translate Japanese emails at work and communicate online in Japanese

I receive a few Japanese emails, something like 1 email per week, and try to translate these. (N3 is the sweet level where you can understand most of simple business communication)
Communicating with Japanese friends via email
Trying out Lang-8 and writing Japanese essays that are checked by native speakers.

2) Timed testing by using JLPT-specific reviewer (So Matome and Kanzen master).

using a reviewer is very helpful as you get to know the areas that still need some work
Niiongo journal JLPT section
actual JLPT exam samples from the JLPT official website, including listening

3) Grammar studies - this is a bit special.