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+--- Thread: JLPT: Practice questions vs actual test? (/thread-12517.html)
JLPT: Practice questions vs actual test? - Splatted - 2015-02-06
I'm considering taking a JLPT and just took the practice N1 test on the website. I'm thinking that might be the level to go for but I've heard that the actual test is a lot harder. Can anyone who's done both way in? If you've done a lower level then I'd like to hear about that too since it's likely the same logic applies.
JLPT: Practice questions vs actual test? - drdunlap - 2015-02-06
I do remember thinking that the website practice problems were quite easy but that is more or less what the test is like.
The real test is just longer.. and timed.. so there's more chance for things you don't know or aren't familiar with to pop up and less time to wonder about them.
JLPT: Practice questions vs actual test? - SomeCallMeChris - 2015-02-07
I agree with drdunlap, especially about the 'timed' part.
I think I had enough knowledge to pass N1 when I passed N2, but it took me two tries to pass N1... because of the time limit. While my score was quite high considering the amount of questions I actually answered on my first N1 attempt, I simply didn't have time to finish. It's hard to pass when you only answer half the questions...
If you care about passing the first time you take the test, or passing sooner rather than later, than I would recommend picking up a full practice test and attempting it with the same time limits as the real test. Including the same break period - that you only get a short break between the written and listening portion of the test is actually quite important. I'm sure most participants could do -much- better on the test if the listening portion came first... it's hard to focus and process correctly when you're still frazzled from the written part of the test. Not so much of a concern if you pass the written part with ease and time to spare.
Anyway, if you have trouble with the test because you can't answer the questions correctly then you might want to pick up a study guide. On the other hand, if you have trouble with the test because you can't finish quickly enough then you'll want to practice reading with little or no reliance on a dictionary to bring your speed up. And obviously, if you have no trouble with the written part but have trouble with the listening portion, you'll want to work on your listening comprehension. The listening part is -really- easy compared to the written part, in terms of vocab and grammar. The listening part is purely a listening-comprehension test not a language knowledge test at all, because anyone who can pass the written test would find the listening test dead simple if it were also written out.
JLPT: Practice questions vs actual test? - Splatted - 2015-02-07
Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like I should focus on immersion then since I always struggle with time limits. The July test seems to set a good time frame as well since it's more than enough time to make significant progress but not enough time that I feel I can be complacent.
JLPT: Practice questions vs actual test? - hyvel - 2015-02-07
Compared to the official sample tests, I found the actual tests to be quite a bit harder, for both N1&N2. Specifically, I had the impression that the vocab in the language knowledge section was harder than expected. Also, I found answering the listening questions quite a bit harder in the actual test - I struggled to answer many of the questions, even though I got basically full scores on practice tests.
I'm not really sure as to why I have those impressions though. Maybe the test was really harder, or as SomeCallMeChris nicely illustrated, maybe it was due to the format of the test - having to concentrate for hours and being under (time-)pressure.
JLPT: Practice questions vs actual test? - Splatted - 2015-02-09
Hmm, I guess I really need to take a practice test to be sure. I feel I'll have a lot more difficulty in actual test conditions regardless. Thanks for the feedback.