Preparing For the JLPT This Year?
Some tips for increasing the chances for passing
These recommendations are primarily for those taking the JLPT N2, but the basic study methods can be applied to all levels of the JLPT.
While studying for the JLPT N3 and now N2, I’ve had various experiences with the textbook series and would like to share them here. I will not talk about all the series that are out there, but the ones that are mainly used and how I used them effectively.
First a few things I’d like to mention are I did not use any listening texts, but focused on Vocabulary, Reading, and Grammar.
Second, the four series I talk about in this article are the most popular and overall, they cover the same material. For example, all the vocab books basically have the same vocab in them, and the grammar books are similar as well but can vary slightly. The main differences are in their approaches and how one can use them effectively. Some of my recommendations are based on whether you live in or outside of Japan because those who live outside may not have as much exposure or opportunity to use Japanese in their daily lives.
Finally, all of these books can be found on Amazon. You can even check bookstores if you’re outside of Japan.
Basic Key Study Elements
1. Get to know the test and take several practice tests before the actual day of the test.
Even if you study the books that prep for JLPT, if you look at the test for the first time on the day of the test it will be quite a shock! Become familiar with the test and then strategize how much time you have to answer in each section. Each test has different time limits.
2. After learning new grammar, kanji, and vocab, REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! This goes without saying, but after you learn a new grammar point, word, etc. you should be reviewing this the next time you study.
3. Learn how to manage your time for the test and make a study schedule. Contrary to Japanese study habits, it’s not how long you study, but how much. A consistent study schedule including review time is key to passing. Not only will you have to answer quickly, but you will also have to be able to read quickly as well.
To increase my reading speed I read 魔女の宅急便 novels. They’re for kids, but I learned a lot of everyday vocab I was missing while being able to increase my reading speed with books that were interesting to me.
I do advise caution in reading books that have furigana because there is little to no furigana on the N2 test. You can refer to the JLPT link below for test time allocation.
4. Kanji — most people struggle with kanji and don’t know where to start. I recommend the 15 Minutes a Day Kanji Practice 一日15分漢字練習. These books are great because they start with Elementary — Pre-Intermediate (N5 — N3) and then Intermediate (N3 — N2). Also, they not only have writing practice but dialogues you can listen to and read to help you remember the kanji. I have only found them at Amazon so far. Here’s what they look like.
Advice Specific to N2
- Know your strengths — What are they? Vocab, Kanji, Grammar, Reading, or Listening?
- Be aware of WRITTEN and SPOKEN FORMS being used on the test. For example, 〜しまいました。(written and formal) 〜ちゃった。(spoken) mean “something is finished”. In fact, N3 grammar targets spoken forms!
- Get used to “compound grammar” and unusual words and uses/readings of kanji. An example of compound grammar is 期待できればよかった — 期待 by itself means “expectation” and できれば — by itself means if it can be done, and of course よかった– glad, so in this case it means I’m glad I can expect~
- As for kanji, some words that are often written only in Kana will be found in kanji as well. Also make sure to look out for readings that are similar and can be easily confused as well.
- Also get used to unusual words. There was a lot of vocabulary and kanji on N2 that I had never seen before so be aware and learn it! In addition, learn transition words in Japanese such as
- すなわち — that is to say…
- ちなみに — incidentally
★ Living in Japan vs. living outside of Japan. The reason I make these recommendations is because when I studied in the States there was a LOT of everyday vocabulary that I didn’t use because I didn’t have daily exposure to Japanese or an opportunity to use it. I recommend a few of these books to those living outside because they’re much more user friendly than others.
★ Most people find N2 challenging overall, but especially the number of kanji and reading. For myself, the most challenging aspects were remembering the grammar (there are over 200) and being able to concentrate on the reading. In the end I used 3 grammar books to help me refresh and remember the grammar and for practice. The reading was especially difficult for me because I had a hard time concentrating for such a long time. Therefore, in my case I read every reading comprehension book I could get my hands on.
Now, let’s take a look at the most popular textbook series for JLPT.
Introduction to the series
New Kanzen Master 新完全マスター語彙・漢字・文法・読解・聴解N5 — N1
This series is in Japanese only. There aren’t any foreign translations for the explanations or examples. This is one of the best series to use because you have to do it all in Japanese.
Vocabulary — If you have experience with N2, live in Japan and already command a good amount of vocabulary but not enough I recommend this book. The book itself is not eye pleasing, in fact it’s crammed with nothing but text, however I learned a lot of words I didn’t even know were out there. Some of the vocab seems outdated and aren’t used anymore but I have come across them on the test and while reading various Japanese texts. In addition, the exercises felt stressful, but they pushed me to learn a lot fast.
Grammar — This text is perhaps the most comprehensive of all the grammar books in that it covers almost all the N2 grammar. However, I have found a handful that are not covered here. Because the explanations are in Japanese only, I feel it is the most effective. This book is suitable for those taking the test in Japan and outside of Japan if you can study without translation.
Reading — Just like the vocab book it is all text and not very eye pleasing, however there is a lot of good practice along with methods for understanding how to approach the reading questions. If you find reading challenging this book is helpful in understanding Japanese writing structures and will also challenge you to read various topics.
Nihongo Sou Matome 「日本語能力試験」対策 日本語総まとめ 語彙・文法・読解・聴解・新にほんご500問 N5 — N1
★ This series is probably the “gentlest” of them all. It has English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese translations. They are basically divided into “Weeks” so there are 7 days per unit. However, each book is a different length, usually 6 or 8 weeks long. Every “day” has target grammar, vocab, etc. All of them introduce the target language through dialogues with pictures. Afterward there are practice exercises but not as many as the Kanzen Master series. These books are great for breaking into N2 if you are new to it. However, I would NOT rely on these books completely when preparing for N2.
Vocabulary 語彙
This book is very gentle in that it does have some pictures and sample conversations at the tops of the pages, and it’s only supposed to take 8 weeks. The exercises are fewer than the New Kanzen Master book.
Grammar 文法 — Introduces the target grammar in a dialogue with a picture at the top of the page to give an example of how the grammar is used. There are explanations with examples and then some practice exercises. It’s a really great way to break into N2 grammar because there are so many! The English translation is fairly decent as well.
Reading 読解 — Also like the other books in this series in that there are pictures with short dialogues to get you to focus on target areas of each lesson. This book also has a gentle approach in how to comprehend reading various texts. I definitely recommend this book for those taking the JLPT outside of Japan, who may not have daily exposure to Japanese and also for anyone wanting extra practice.
Pass in 1 Try! １回で合格! 日本語能力試験 語彙・文法・読解・漢字
★ Has English and Chinese translations. From what I can see this series is only for N2
There are both Vocabulary and Kanji books from this series, but I did not use them. However, this series has simple explanations which are easy to understand for beginners but can also be supplemental to those with a lot of experience with N2.
The tips for understanding various texts are easy to understand and pleasing to the eye in that there isn’t text crammed together like in the New Kanzen Master texts.
Grammar 文法 — I recommend this book for those taking the test outside of Japan and don’t have exposure to using Japanese in your daily life. It’s also nice for those who are taking N2 for the first time and has foreign language translations. The English translations are very simple and easy to understand. I found these grammar explanations to match Kanzen Master explanations which helped in having consistent grammar explanations. For myself the exercises were quite easy, and I think if you do this book you’ll see why, but it really is nice for beginners of N2 and for refreshing for those us with more experience.
Reading Comprehension 読解 — Also very good for those who are studying N2 for the first time and even for those who are reviewing and have previous experience as well. The English translations are very good and there are a lot of good tips about how to approach and understand the structures of different types of texts, i.e., reading a novel vs. a newspaper article. I didn’t find the reading very challenging, but it was user friendly and I did learn a few new tips!
Remember JLPT Vocabulary through Listening Training — 耳から覚える日本語能力試験語彙トレーニング N2
This book was recommended to me but in the end, I did not use it. However, I can say that if you are NOT living in Japan and do not have exposure to everyday Japanese, I HIGHLY recommend this book. It’s very user friendly, easy on the eyes, and there are a descent number of exercises NOT too many like Kanzen Master and not few like Sou Matome but in between those two books.
Fundamental Comprehension in 45 days 45日間で基礎からわかる日本語能力試験対策 語彙/漢字・文法・文法総まとめ
Fundamental Comprehension in 45 days — Grammar
I REALLY liked this book because it does cover some of the grammar that overlaps both N2 and N3. It is comparative to Kanzen Master in terms of being comprehensive but does leave out a few grammars that are found in Kanzen Master, but also includes some grammar I had not come across before. However, I found some of the grammar translations lacking and contradicting to the explanations in other textbooks. However, I still found it useful to help me understand the grammar more thoroughly. I recommend this book for anyone with N2 experience and for those taking the test in or outside of Japan.
Practice Test Books — All available from N5 — N1
The first one, はじめての日本語能力試験 合格模試 is MUCH easier than the one on the black one, 日本語能力試験ベスト模試 (The Best Practice Test). The Best Practice Tests is published by Japan Times, but I found it more challenging than the Pass Practice Tests. The last practice test on the bottom, is published by the JLPT/JEES Foundation. They only have 2 previous practice tests published for each level. I recommend taking as many practice tests as you feel comfortable with.
Other Resources
Bunpo App — Grammar practice — I also used this but found the translations sometimes were different or conflicted with the textbooks. I recommend it for review. Available for Apple and Android.
Watching anime or drama in Japanese for listening practice
Clubhouse App — speaking practice
Offical JLPT site — https://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html
Summary
For those of you taking the JLPT N2 for the first time it’s important to familiarize yourself with the test contents from the beginning.
Following that, you should setup a study schedule which works for you but will also aid you in being able to pass the test. This includes making time for reviewing and taking practice tests along the way to judge whether you’re improving. It can also include reading as much as you can outside of the JLPT books, watching Japanese shows, and using apps to supplement your main study habits.
Finally, practice makes perfect so think about which of these books may be useful to you even if they are for practice.
