N1 is not academic-level papers, really, and I find that N2 usually requires basic newspaper-reading skills to pass. Editorials or pop-sci is about as high as it goes. It's also not enough to function in a daily job since it doesn't go into higher-level keigo (YMMV since many people have daily jobs without being fluent, ofc).
I didn't feel that big of a gap between N2 and N1. I think that the biggest difference is felt in scoring distribution due to 50% of competitiors suddenly being Chinese.
I didn't feel that big of a gap between N2 and N1. I think that the biggest difference is felt in scoring distribution due to 50% of competitiors suddenly being Chinese.