I am planning to take the JLPT N4 in July this year so I bought a book to help me with N5 grammar. I bought it at the beginning of February from CD Japan and it is called TRY! Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 Grammar (with English Translation). The shipping method that I chose is SAL which I kind of regret now, taking into account that is the end of February and it still didn't came. 

I am not sure what to do now. There are only 4 months left and I need this book so that I can learn the basic grammar  and then move on to N4 level grammar. I have the Nihongo Challenge N4 Bunpou but I need the basics before I start this one.

The problem is that if it comes too late, which it might, 'cause I read on their website that it might take up to 12 weeks with SAL I will not have enough time to study the N4 grammar. 

I was thinking I could learn from another book or online until it comes, but I am not really sure. I also found this book online  Understanding Basic Japanese Grammar from Nishiguchi but it does not really seem that I could use it as a main source for my grammar.  I would really need some advice on this, so any help and advice is highly appreciated.

Sorry if this quite long and complicated.

Thank you!!

Use Tae Kim. The Basic Grammar section is N5 and the Essential Grammar section is N4+.

Try looking up Genki I online. There might be a pdf floating around somewhere.

Tae Kim works for most people so I suggest that.

You can also google N5 grammar points. There are various websites you can learn it from. Better take notes and compile them all.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I will use Genki 1 and supplement with Understanding Basic Japanese Grammar from Nishiguchi Koichi, which I think it is  pretty great for example sentences. 

Also I was wondering if I could use Nihongo Challenge N4 Bunpou immediately after I finish Genki 1 or should I also study from Genki 2 and then study from Nihongo Challenge? If somebody has some experience with both books and had prepared or is preparing for JLPT N4 please let me know what you think. 

Thank you.

You need both Genki 1 and Genki 2 to cover N4 grammar so it makes the most sense to finish both before doing the Nihongo Challenge book. That way you use the challenge book to figure out what grammar and vocabulary you are weak at and you are more likely to get something out of the reading practice as opposed to just failing it do to weak vocabulary and grammar.

Hello,
i was given already 2 times N4 but unfortunately didn't crack it i get it 84 and 87 marks i read the book minnano nihongo 50 chapter and mlc 320 basic kanji which book i can read to pass JLPT n4

Hopefully I will be able to finish Genki 1 and 2 and Nihongo Challenge Bunpou in 4 months. Now that I think about it seems quite challenging and I am worried that I might end up rushing through all of them. I am quite excited though. I am curious, how do you all study from Genki and Nihongo Challenge Bunpou ? What methods do you use and how many lessons do you do per week?

Thank you!

(2016-02-26, 9:30 am)Akiko793 Wrote: Hopefully I will be able to finish Genki 1 and 2 and Nihongo Challenge Bunpou in 4 months. Now that I think about it seems quite challenging and I am worried that I might end up rushing through all of them. I am quite excited though. I am curious, how do you all study from Genki and Nihongo Challenge Bunpou ? What methods do you use and how many lessons do you do per week?

Thank you!

I worked on them with a teacher. There are a ton of great online affordable teachers. I recommend looking at Japanese Online Institute (JOI) and italki.com