How to Prepare for the JLPT: Study Tips from a Student
2022.02.25
Step 2: Understand your strength and weakness
Next, knowing your strength and weakness is fundamental to identifying the focal points of concentration. The table below presents some of the common subjects, reasons behind the weakness, and suggestions for improvement.
| Subject | Possible reasons | Suggestion for improvement | Suggested applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanji and vocabulary | Unfamiliar with the phrases | Review and practice frequently | Dictionary: Imiwa, goo辞書 (Advanced level) Flashcard: Memrise, Quizlet |
| Reading | Not familiar with words and Japanese writing style | Read Japanese books and newspaper | Newspaper: NHK、Nikkei Shimbun、Kyoto Shimbun、NHK Web Easy (for Beginner level) Electronic book applications: Kindle、Apple Books |
| Listening | Not familiar with the speed and the words | Watch Japanese movies, listen to the news/ music Read Japanese subtitles |
YouTube news channel： ANNnewsCH, FNNプライムオンライン YouTuber: HikakinTV, はじめしゃちょー Podcast: NHK News |
Step 3: Plan and execute the learning stages
The learning period depends on the learner and their needs. It took me around six months to study for JLPT N3 and the other six months for JLPT N2. I divide it into two main phases: “Learning new materials” and “Review and Practice.” The plan is based on my own experience. As everyone’s learning strategy is different, you can customize your schedule depending on your needs.
◎Learning new materials (3 – 4 months)
The first stage takes around 3 to 4 months. This phase requires lots of time and energy to input new materials, including Kanji, Vocabulary, and Grammar. It is crucial to building a studying habit. Schedule at least 30 minutes daily for this stage. Start small, stay consistent, and you will see the improvement.
These are my suggestions for textbooks. Each set covers all the subjects and skills with review exercises. So, you can use one individually or get them as a whole set. As these books are quite popular, you can find them in the school library or the used version.
• Mimi kara oboeru Nihongo Nouryoku Shiken
• Shin-Kanzen Master
• Nihongo Nouryoku Shiken Tettei Toreeningu
◎Review and Practice (2 months)
After studying each subject with textbooks and materials, frequent review of them and getting used to the real test is important. Before the test, I spent the last two months familiarizing myself with the timing pressure. A practice test usually takes 3 to 4 hours, so make sure you arrange enough time for this session. There are many JLPT text exercise books offered in the market. You can look for them with the keywords on the search engine: JLPT N (Level) + 問題集 <Eg: JLPT N2 問題集>. The sample tests are also available on the official website. You can download them for free through the link: https://www.jlpt.jp/samples/sampleindex.html
Message for future JLPT test takers!
Remember, having a balanced diet and taking good care of your health would help to keep your body and mind going. When are you planning to take the test? I hope my sharing could help future test takers to get the best results, and the result leads them to the goal they set out. Good luck, everyone!
(Writer: NGO Phuong Anh, Doshisha University)
