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JLPT 2009?

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cl
NickAustria
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1JLPT 2009? Empty JLPT 2009? Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:38 am

NickAustria

NickAustria
Admin

Is anyone taking the JLPT this year?

2JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:58 am

cl



I'm tryin to take it next summer.

3JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:22 am

NickAustria

NickAustria
Admin

Oh nice. Will you be goin for JLPT 1? Err by then I think it will be the new standards. I'm debating on taking either the 3 or 4. 4 I know I can pass easily, but 3 will actually be a challenge. I'm still thinking about what might be better.

4JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:43 pm

cl



I believe the people in 150 last year took a mock JLPT 3. You might want to ask them how it was.

5JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:58 pm

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

I MAY take JLPT 1 at the end of 2010, but I'm not ready for it this year. Depending on the registration dates in Japan, I MIGHT consider signing up and taking JLPT 2 again since I'm certain I'd pass it this time (missed it by a few damn points last time aaaahhh!)

JLPT 3 you'd absolutely pass Nick. The gap between 3 and 2 is freaking HUGE though. Keep in mind I'm talking about the "old 3" as they are changing to 5 levels next year I believe. They are testing TWICE a year in Japan, China and Korea now... but still once in the US it seems

However, may SURE you get one of those sample test books and take a few mock-runs. Half of passing any test is knowing how they test is DONE. This sounds like a crazy statement, but I'm dead serious about that. I've passed tests and classes with A's even when I don't really know the material simple cause I focused on knowing how and what would be tested. It can be that extreme of a difference sometimes depending on the test.

For taking the JLPT there are two MAJOR areas you need to focus on (especially for JLPT 2 and 1) That is "plug in grammar" for the grammar sections (tons of easy points if you know how formulate the questions) and "reading efficiency." These two will DESTROY you on the test if you are not especially good at them. The reasons for this are:

1) While the JLPT 3 (old) has a very small reading section, JLPT 2 has a huge jump in material (aka 4 pages compared to 12) and it is much more complex. Even more so with JLPT 1. Moreover, usually over 25% of your score comes from these reading sections! Finally, you are given VERY little time for this section compared to the ratio of time you are given for completing other areas of the test, surprisingly so. If you cannot read clearly and FAST, you will lose a LOT of points and likely fail the test just because of this section alone.

2) The second most important area is the grammar section. It is usually worth about 20% of the test. However, unlike the reading section, the JLPT focuses on specific grammar patterns per level in a set format. What this means, is that you can focus on these grammar patterns and recognize key particles or structures that give you the answer almost immediately IF you know what to look for. The trap here, is that if you don't focus on these specific patterns and nuances, even if you speak or know Japanese fairly well, you may get tons of these wrong if you don't understand specifically what they are looking for.

The kanji readings are a bit of a pain (the first section) but usually you'll know the vocab if you have focused on reading enough. Finally, the listening section is almost always a cakewalk and very direct. I can pass JLPT 1 listening sections at my level now. It tends to be the easiest section of the test by a long shot for some reason.

Hope this helps!

6JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:10 am

Shar

Shar
Admin

Nick - thanks for asking!
& all - thanks for the info.

We'll definitely have to look into sample mock tests. I am also planning to take JLPT3 this year. I have a grammar book which, there's a lot I am already familiar with but some new grammar points, however I'm kind of rusty from not using my Japanese in a while. The vocab is also, some familiar, some new. A little overwhelming when I take on the new material but I just need to keep studying!

http://www.mmm-fruit.com

7JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:28 am

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

I used to have a link for the past 8 YEARS of JLPT tests scanned online. Alan found it for me. However, they took the site down it seems...

Next time you go to Kinokunia, pick up a mock test book. Keep in mind they also SELL the old previous year's tests as well with the answers at book stores. When I was in Japan I just checked out 10 books all of mock tests and took them all. I increased my average score by about 35% doing that.

I'm almost 100% certain you'll pass level 3 (the old one that is, not sure of the new one next year) It isn't that hard to pass at all. The big jump comes when you hit JLPT 2, and then with kanji and mass reading with JLPT 1 (which is frightening and was getting "wows" from the first vice pres of J-Club when he saw some of the stuff they asked and had in it)

Just be glad the JLPT isn't like TOEFL... yet.

8JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:01 am

NickAustria

NickAustria
Admin

Brian and Chris, thanks for the advice. I thought I'd share some of the resources I'm using just in case someone else might find them useful. Any other resources would be helpful.

Kanji Flashcards vol. 1 - White Rabbit Press

http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Kanji-Flashcards-Vol-Third/dp/0974869449/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247032334&sr=8-1
I have these flashcards. They are really great because they show the kanji, stroke order, 6 possible readings (and it marks which test it would appear on), and on the back it has the hiragana, radicals, readings, and definitions. Pretty awesome.

Kanzen Master Grammar book Level 3
http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/guest/cgi-bin/wshoseaohb.cgi?W-NIPS=9979678712&AREA=02&LANG=J
A quick and easy grammar book with brief explanations and examples and some practice tests.

JLPT Study

http://www.jlptstudy.com/
Has grammar, kanji, vocab lists, and some examples of past tests.

9JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:48 am

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

Those last two look pretty good for preparing.

Check into this.

http://ichi2.net/anki/

It is a spaced repetition flashcard program I use daily now for kanji and sentences. Chris showed it to me a few months ago. Works VERY well. Jam the grammar sentences into this from previous JLPT tests and run through them every few days and you'll find you'll remember them pretty well probably.

10JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:08 pm

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

http://www.jgram.org/

I almost forgot this. It can be pretty useful and has grammar outlined between the levels of the JLPT. I used it in Japan a lot.

11JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:26 am

NickAustria

NickAustria
Admin

Registered! Gotta get to work on studying more.

12JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:19 am

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

Which? 2 or 3?

13JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:02 pm

NickAustria

NickAustria
Admin

The 3. I would have gotten destroyed if I even attempted 2.

14JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:33 am

Shar

Shar
Admin

Any recommendations on which Anki decks to use? I'm using iAnki on my iPod Touch and one of the Kanji decks I synced loads so funky I don't want to bother with it.

Right now I'm going through the JLPT3+4 deck to cram and refresh for vocab.

http://www.mmm-fruit.com

15JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:38 am

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewList.php?lv=3

This part covers JLPT 3 grammar. Since reading and grammar is half the test score, I suggest putting in sentences from each structure into your own custom anki deck and running through them. Won't take too long to pick a good sentence for each grammar example using cut and paste.

The reading section is MUCH smaller in level 3 than it is 2, and a billion times easier; however, it will still be the most difficult section of the test. You'll need to practice reading in general to do well on this.

The GRAMMAR section, while difficult without any preparation, is easy points if you memorize the grammar patterns ahead of time! DO THE GRAMMAR SECTION FIRST before you do the reading section of the test if possible!!! Doing it first upped my average score by 10% on JLPT 2! I highly recommend doing this.

And of course, take a practice test.

16JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:45 am

NickAustria

NickAustria
Admin

Shar and I just went to Kinokuniya and bought 3 books of practice tests. These seem like they will be the most helpful so far. Like you said before, a lot of the test taking is strategy- knowing what they are asking and how to answer.

17JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:57 am

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

You'll up your score by 20% just taking the practice tests. In fact I'd say with anki and the practice tests, you could pass the real JLPT with those alone. Take a test, then after you don't know something, jam it into Anki.

I took over 10 practice tests or so when I was preparing for the JLPT 2. Too bad I missed passing only by a few points lol.

I posted a few new Japanese study links in the link section btw, a couple are JLPT related.

18JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:30 am

stephjpan

stephjpan

As Brian has said, I'm pretty sure both of you can pass JLPT Level 3. Just a little refreshing and I think you're all set.

I don't know if you guys use LiveJournal, but the Japanese community on there post some useful things. Here's a post that had a lot of JLPT materials that I bookmarked a while ago: http://community.livejournal.com/japanese/747072.html

Kanzen Master books are considered the best of the best prep books for the JLPT. However, they don't teach you test format. You need to supplement them with books that have just JLPT tests in them.

19JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Sun Sep 13, 2009 6:12 am

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

Panpan gurl ahoy~!

I had heard of the kanzen books a bit ago, haven't seen them yet... I'll have to check in Japan next time I'm at a book store.

20JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:10 am

NickAustria

NickAustria
Admin

Thanks for that link Stephanie. Studying kanji right now.. pretty grueling.

21JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:51 am

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

Kanji is one of things you have to just push through like a grueling wade through an endless mud dessert.

22JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:44 am

cl



oh thanks for the link stephanie

23JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:06 am

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

Chris you going to be taking JLPT 1 this round?

24JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:38 am

cl



lol no

25JLPT 2009? Empty Re: JLPT 2009? Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:42 pm

BrianBerry

BrianBerry
Admin

Well, you'll pass it next year. I plan to take it then as well.

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