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It was exactly 10 o’clock in the morning when I saw in my Facebook feed that my friends had passed the JLPT N2 exam. My heart started beating fast. My head shuffled through a deck of “comfort words” to tell myself in case I fail the exam. And my palms, they started sweating as I entered my ID and password into the system. And yes, the moment I saw the word “passed,” I raised both of my arms up high and jumped for joy as if my favorite soccer team just won the world cup! I did this during working hours inside a quiet Japanese office. They were all shocked but happy to hear the good news!
In this post, I want to share this joy to any foreigners out there who might be planning to take the JLPT test one day. Here is how I prepared for the JLPT Test:
1. Practice.
I can’t emphasize this enough.
JLPT happens only twice a year – one in July and another in December. The registration to take the test happens three months before the test date, and so that gives you three full months to study intensively.
JLPT tests have patterns. Keep in mind to do mock tests by yourself. Use a timer, and do it at least twice a month. When you practice, do it as if you are actually taking the real test. And as you keep practicing, you will notice that the questionnaires have patterns; from listening to reading comprehension questions.
2. Keep a Vocabulary Notebook.
If you are taking a test with a friend, do kanji tests with that person. This will either tap your competitive spirit (as in my case), or motivate you to study even harder because you have someone who helps you. Every day, add three to five words in your notebook. And only add more words once you have successfully mastered the ones you added from the day before.
For example, if I add the first five kanjis found here in my vocabulary notebook today, I will keep studying them until I’ve fully mastered them. To me, mastery is when you see any one of these words, are able to translate them, and write them correctly without any problems. It’s also being able to decode the meaning quickly; so that if you see the English counterpart, you’ll be able to say and write its kanji version without any problems.
By the end of the second day, if you have already mastered the first five words you added, add another five on the third day. And when you test yourself, keep going back from the first five words you added!
I’m sure by the second day, you’d be able to master these five words already, and so in that case, add another five on the third day. And when you test yourself, keep going back from the first five words you added!
To further illustrate this see the table below:
Imagine mastering 15 words a week for three months. That’s already 180 mastered words before the test day – and that’s just the vocabulary section! You still have to practice other sections, so you’ll definitely master more than that!
3. Watch Japanese JLPT video Tutorials.
There are a lot of great, free tutorials on YouTube, so there shouldn’t be any excuses for you not to expose yourself to the language. Similar to my vocabulary strategy, I tried to watch these grammar tutorials at least once in two days – but really, just watch them whenever you feel like.
I used 日本語の森 when I was preparing for the exam – they touch on few grammatical rules per video and explain them very clearly. After watching a video, make sure you try and use the grammatical phrases in a sentence. Make sure you completely understand the function and usage of the phrases before moving on to the next one.
Another way to prepare for JLPT is to watch any Japanese videos you find entertaining. Better, if it fits your level. Expose yourself to Japanese media. This will help you improve your listening and grammar skills. If the shows are too difficult for you, try watching videos created for Japanese elementary or junior high school students. When you’ve had enough studying for the day and you feel like taking a break, watching anime you like may just be the perfect way to recharge.
Actually, there is an app that does a pretty good job in compiling videos according to your level. They use the “shadowing technique” for people who want to speak a language fluently. And I highly recommend this app just because I fell in love with it after the first time I used it.
4. Attend Japanese classes in Community Centers.
If you live in Japan, I’m sure you’ve heard of 公民館s. Yes, those buildings near train stations that provide free spaces for volunteers and foreigners to meet and do language exchanges. How to find these community centers? Ask around. I found out about mine through my first employer.
Some community centers will ask for a fee (300 yen-1,200 yen). The fees vary per community center, but I think that is mostly for maintenance. I think some of these programs are launched by NGOs who need help in paying for the classroom where you meet your tutor. And for the time the volunteers spend helping you, the fees are extremely worth it. They sort of give it back to you anyway! In some community centers I’ve been in, they launch events at least once in two months. Sometimes, it can be a simple snack party. The organizers will buy some chips and Japanese sweets and launch a two-hour event where you get to eat food, speak, meet, and play games with the volunteers and people from different countries. How cool is that?
If you don’t live in Japan, you can take Japanese language classes online. I strongly recommend Helping Hands and Hearts Japan (HH&H Japan). HH&H Japan offers private online Japanese classes with volunteers for a very affordable price you can find out there. I’ve subscribed to their services for six years now and I’ve been taking Japanese classes five times a month continuously. And I only pay about $45 less per month. They’re also involved in projects that promote the environment.
The teachers in HH&H Japan have helped me pass two scholarship applications, and helped me pass the JLPT N2 exam.
5. Relax.
I clearly remember what I did the day before the exam. In the morning, I did one final mock test and then went to the hair salon to have a hair cut. When I came back home, I ate lunch, did another mock test, took a shower, and then went out for a walk with my now husband.
We were both taking the test in the same city and in the same building the next day. He would usually pass the mock test, and my scores barely made it every single time. But I do remember just trying to calm myself down after the last mock test I did. I know I did my best to prepare for the exam, so I know my brain deserves to breathe.
I understand the feeling. There is pressure inside you that you want to let go and just be done with it; but there are a number of studies out there that suggest that it’s good to take a break before mentally demanding tasks.
We all learn in different ways; what works for me may not work for you. There is no one formula that can work to pass an exam – we all have to work hard for it. But I’m sure that if you do your best to focus and prepare for the exam, you’ll definitely make it.
If you come across this page and you’ve already passed the exam, then please share how you did it in the comments below. And in case you are someone who is about to take the test some time soon, 頑張ってね！
