I'm graduated, still unemployed but have been studying Japanese for a long time. I have Hiragana and Kana memorized. At this point I read decently, but don't understand so much of it. And I still need to up my reading speed a little so I can both read and comprehend at a well pace. I know how most of the grammar works still. I'm still pretty novice of how much vocabulary and Kanji I've memorized.

I'm thinking about signing up for the JLPT in august for the test in December but don't know what which of 2 or 3 to sign up for. I know both will be hard and require a lot of time, but I have a feeling that when I know I'm destined to take it, I would take it serious enough to sacrifice most of my free time.

The only thing I'm concerned about is my time spent doing volunteer work I'm doing until I get hired somewhere, and how much time I take looking for jobs in my area. What I'm really worried about is getting an actual job and it taking too much of my time and energy that I need to study enough for these test. I'm thinking I'll be more exhausted often to study too.

So I'm basically asking if it's possible to study for those JLPT test in this time frame while working either full time or part time. Do I need to put off my job search and volunteer work until I take the test? My Volunteer work is a few days for a few hours each week. This is kind of giving me anxiety attacks so I hope to receive advice.

You can test yourself by taking the official JLPT practice test, jlptbootcamp's practice tests, or by using the level checker on tanos. It's a good idea to do this anyway if only to get used to the format of the test so you're not figuring it out on test day.

When you say novice with Kanji, how do you define that? What sort of things can you do with your Japanese at your current stage?

The test level that would fit you best would obviously depend a lot on this.

vrada501 Wrote:At this point I read decently, but don't understand so much of it.

What exactly did you mean by this sentence? I can't really figure out how you think you can read decently while not understanding the majority of what you read. Are you referring to reading speed? Kanji? Or something else?

vrada501 Wrote:I'm graduated, still unemployed but have been studying Japanese for a long time. I have Hiragana and Kana memorized. At this point I read decently, but don't understand so much of it. And I still need to up my reading speed a little so I can both read and comprehend at a well pace. I know how most of the grammar works still. I'm still pretty novice of how much vocabulary and Kanji I've memorized.

Going on this you sound closer to level 3, but I've always been of the opinion that anything lower than 2 isn't worth taking because it doesn't translate into any concrete gains if you pass.

There is a bigger focus in N2 on the subtleties of words and grammar. If you've completed at least the Core6k, then you're at a pretty good level to attempt the N2 but you'll want supplemental stuff on the side to help you along. On the reading portion, the biggest hurdle is speed. Even if you are book smart on words and grammar, the reading sections can really catch you up because they can be quite long and you need to be moderately fast at reading.

In case you are not aware. The N2 is split into 2 parts. The first part is strictly reading. The vocab, grammar, and reading are all in this part. There are no breaks between these sections, you have to finish it all before time. Then there is a break and then there is the listening part. I never felt the listening part was too difficult but I took the N2 when I had been living in Japan for a few years and had been exposed to maybe 70% of what I heard on that part.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough.

So about my kanji, I have most of grade 1 memorize both reading and meaning, besides that I'm pretty mixed up with Kanji that only know meaning and others everything and also ones I've forgotten. Total at the moment I probably know anywhere from 100-200.

Reading - Yes, I meant speed. I'm decent at recognizing the letters of Hiragana and Kana decent.. I always understand the basic grammar parts of the sentence, like the verb endings etc. About not understanding stuff, I just meant I don't know every word. For example, when I'm reading something that is kanji free, I can read the readings of every symbol of the alphabet pretty well, but I just don't recognize most of the words that I've read, I usually find a few at least.

So like I asked, if I were to get a job soon Full Time or Part Time would that take too much of the time I would need to study for it? That's what I'm really worried about the most. If anybody had studied for it, and passed it or got close while working full time, than I should have nothing to worried about. I'm disciplined enough to give up more of my free time.

From the sound of it, you'll have trouble passing N3 without fulltime study between now and December. Are you aware that the N2 requires around 1000 kanji and 6000 vocabulary words and you need to understand them at speed. Unless I'm misunderstanding your current level, you know a few hundred kanji and I'm guessing 1k-2k vocabulary(kana only) and some basic grammar. Am I close?

In order to have a reasonable chance at passing either N3 or N2, you should probably already know the majority of the kanji and vocabulary you need and be focusing on reading and listening practice until test time. For the N3 you still need around 650 kanji and 3750 vocab so that might be a lot more do-able, but you'll still need to do a lot of reading and listening practice between now and test time.

FWIW, here are the estimated number of hours you would need to study for each level of JLPT as published by the Japanese Language Education Center. Presumably the N3 estimate is missing because these estimates likely predate the N3 test which was added in 2010:

JLPT N1 – around 3100 ~ 4500 hours of study
JLPT N2 – around 1400 ~ 2000 hours of study
JLPT N4 – around 500 ~ 750 hours of study
JLPT N5 – around 250 ~ 400 hours of study

vrada501 Wrote:Sorry I wasn't clear enough.

So about my kanji, I have most of grade 1 memorize both reading and meaning, besides that I'm pretty mixed up with Kanji that only know meaning and others everything and also ones I've forgotten. Total at the moment I probably know anywhere from 100-200.

I would suggest you aim for 3 if you really want to push yourself, or 4 if you want to set a more moderate and achievable goal. The best way to choose your target test level is of course to try some practice tests as others have suggested.

I think N3 is only possible if you really really really work your butt off. I'd recommend N4. You'll still have to work a good deal for it; it's a reasonable six month goal, while N3 is really pushing it.

To give you an idea: I worked with a girl in Japan who was at a higher level than you, and she studied her ass off for a few months for N3 and still failed.

yogert909 Wrote:JLPT N1 – around 3100 ~ 4500 hours of study
JLPT N2 – around 1400 ~ 2000 hours of study
JLPT N4 – around 500 ~ 750 hours of study
JLPT N5 – around 250 ~ 400 hours of study

N3 should be around what N4 is. N5 content is even easier than old JLPT4 I believe, although they shifted a lot of stuff around. The levels are more linear now.

@OP: I'm with everyone else here, N4 is easily attainable, N3 w/ some work. You'd want to do some focused study to improve your chances though. ie: Get books strictly aimed at the test.

yogert909 Wrote:FWIW, here are the estimated number of hours you would need to study for each level of JLPT as published by the Japanese Language Education Center. Presumably the N3 estimate is missing because these estimates likely predate the N3 test which was added in 2010:

JLPT N1 – around 3100 ~ 4500 hours of study
JLPT N2 – around 1400 ~ 2000 hours of study
JLPT N4 – around 500 ~ 750 hours of study
JLPT N5 – around 250 ~ 400 hours of study

I have been informed by several people that these "hours of study" relate to classroom hours, but have never been able to nail down exactly what that means. One "hour of study" above may be the equivalent of two actual hours (e.g. one hour in class and one hour (or more) doing preparation/homework related to that class).

Everyone is different but my experience was that the Asians required significantly less time than the westerners. Chinese know the kanji well and the koreans have a head start in grammar and vocabulary (and often have studied kanji rather significantly).

Don't give up anything worthwhile like volunteering or job hunting in order to take a test that you don't really need.

Why do you even want JLPT? Why not just go and learn Japanese then take it when you need it or feel you can pass it without getting superstressed over it?

scooter1 Wrote:I have been informed by several people that these "hours of study" relate to classroom hours, but have never been able to nail down exactly what that means. One "hour of study" above may be the equivalent of two actual hours (e.g. one hour in class and one hour (or more) doing preparation/homework related to that class).

Btw, these hours I posted aren't the official estimates from JEES which too low (are as you describe). These estimates are from JLEC which seem to take into consideration total hours you would need to study.

Aikynaro Wrote:Don't give up anything worthwhile like volunteering or job hunting in order to take a test that you don't really need.

Why do you even want JLPT? Why not just go and learn Japanese then take it when you need it or feel you can pass it without getting superstressed over it?

I wanted to move out of here as soon as I can, and I'm also interested in jobs involving Japanese - English interpreting. I thought a JLPT test was needed for those jobs, or at least increased chances a lot. The plan was to dedicate this time for the test, then right after get back to looking for any work (There's not really any of those translation jobs over here) to save up to move then look and move anywhere at this side of the country for those type of jobs are common. I don't have much on my resume so I think it could make it look better and possibly help me more in finding not so much related work here.

That's why I was hoping to aim for N2 but so far I admit that's not realistic at all for me right now, and N3 is where the challenge is at. Is N3 considered too low at all for these kinds of jobs?

Besides that I've been teaching myself Japanese for a long time now, and thought if I went hard studying for this test and passed, it could help mark the point of moving on to focus on everything else. Not that I ever would completely stop learning and using Japanese, considering I'm pursuing that type of work.

vrada501 Wrote:

Aikynaro Wrote:Don't give up anything worthwhile like volunteering or job hunting in order to take a test that you don't really need.

Why do you even want JLPT? Why not just go and learn Japanese then take it when you need it or feel you can pass it without getting superstressed over it?

I wanted to move out of here as soon as I can, and I'm also interested in jobs involving Japanese - English interpreting. I thought a JLPT test was needed for those jobs, or at least increased chances a lot. The plan was to dedicate this time for the test, then right after get back to looking for any work (There's not really any of those translation jobs over here) to save up to move then look and move anywhere at this side of the country for those type of jobs are common. I don't have much on my resume so I think it could make it look better and possibly help me more in finding not so much related work here.

Besides that I've been teaching myself Japanese for a long time now, and thought if I went hard studying for this test and passed, it could help mark the point of moving on to focus on everything else. Not that I ever would completely stop learning and using Japanese, considering I'm pursuing that type of work.

While the JLPT can be a requirement for some jobs (N2/N1. I don't think I've heard of them accepting anything lower), from what you've described, taking the N2 in December could be a bit of a stretch. If you were in Japan and could devote the entirety of your time to studying, it might very well be possible, but as far as trying to cram that much Japanese into your existing daily life goes... well, you might have a bit of a problem there.

None of this is said to discourage you in the slightest. In fact, N3 would be a healthy, reasonable goal, and so long as you don't have to burn yourself out to prepare, it seems like you could get to that point with your current situation provided you put in the hours and dedication.

In my own experience learning the language, there've been several "crucibles," (yeah, a bit dramatic, I know) so to speak, that I've had to face. What I mean is that there've been times where I simply had to buckle down and devote myself to pushing my Japanese to the next level. My first big one came with RTK, and over the time I spent with the book, I worked my butt off. I had reviews every day like crazy, and of course, I absolutely couldn't let myself off the hook and stop for even one day. But it piled up, bit by bit, and now, roughly a year since I finished the book, I've never loved Kanji more. The same principle applies with vocab memorization and just about every other linguistic skill. So long as you're willing to take the leap and put in the hard work necessary every single day, you WILL see improvements. These "crucibles" can drive you crazy while you're in them, but once you're past them, you'll be thankful for all the sweat and hard work you've got under your belt.

I say all that to say this: it sounds like your Japanese is at the point to where it's practically begging for an experience like this. And if the N3 can help motivate you, then even better. When you start making the transition to the next skill level, things can often seem scary, but I promise you that if you hang in there day-by-day-by-day, you'll see the rewards. Dedication's the big word here. Granted, that doesn't mean overdoing it (which is firmly where I'd place trying to take the N2 this December), but constantly pushing yourself to exceed your current level.

If you have to mention that you memorized hiragana and katakana... iunno.

vrada501 Wrote:I wanted to move out of here as soon as I can, and I'm also interested in jobs involving Japanese - English interpreting. I thought a JLPT test was needed for those jobs, or at least increased chances a lot. The plan was to dedicate this time for the test, then right after get back to looking for any work (There's not really any of those translation jobs over here) to save up to move then look and move anywhere at this side of the country for those type of jobs are common. I don't have much on my resume so I think it could make it look better and possibly help me more in finding not so much related work here.

That's why I was hoping to aim for N2 but so far I admit that's not realistic at all for me right now, and N3 is where the challenge is at. Is N3 considered too low at all for these kinds of jobs?

The JLPT isn't going to open nearly as many doors as you think it will. A certain level of skill in Japanese is usually just 1 out 5-6 other skills that a company wants in someone for a position that involves the language. If you have no other skills I'd say you'd be better off putting your time into getting good at something and then revisit the idea of taking the JLPT. The JLPT can help you get a leg up on other people when you have other stuff to back it.

As people have said N1/2 are where its at. Most places want N1 level, which is pretty fluent, but others will settle for N2. N2 is "[passable] business Japanese." Someone at N3 just doesn't have enough vocab or exposure to more formal Japanese that is needed.

Okay, I'm gonna bit a bit of a hardass here, but I don't think you have any idea how difficult this is gonna be. First of all, you sound like your current Japanese level is around N5 or between N5 and N4. That means that passing N3 is not a particularly reasonable goal in six months. It's not impossible, but you really need to work your ass off and even then I think your chances of failing are a good deal better than passing.

What's more, if you want to get a job in translation you need to be a good deal better than N1. And to do interpreting you need to be even better than that. I think you are years from passing N1, and years from getting a job that requires a very high level of Japanese. Maybe three years, maybe five, maybe ten, but it's not a short term goal of just a year or so.

Not sure if this is the right spot, but I have a quick question please. Is there a good series of books anyone suggests for the JLPT in general.

I've been studying for a few years, and would like to at least start with the N5 and work my way up every year if I can.

Thanks in advance.

I have to agree with Tzadeck.

Really, I think you shouldn't go into this with the idea that you're going to become an interpreter. That's one of those goals that's way away and there's a reasonably high chance you'll never get there. I don't want to be too discouraging, but, well, if you're going to set that as your overall Goal, you should definitely not stop job hunting unless you have some other source of funds to keep you alive for however long it takes. 'Don't quit your day job' and all that.

N2 level is also not as high as you think it is.

And from what you say about not understanding anything you read and such, if sounds like you have almost no vocabulary. That's basically the same as having nothing at all. Verb ending, kana, etc. are a drop in the bucket compared to the time needed to learn vocabulary.
I think you're lacking perspective here.

Did you try the level tests posted earlier?

[Zgarbas]

You definitely have a chance... next year

N2 is high when you're below it, a beginner who needs to practice *a lot* to get there. There are some people who pass it in less than a year of study, but they're very few, and they're a good combination of talent, 5+ hours a day daily study (IIRC that's how much the guy who passed N2 in 9 months did), and maybe history with other languages. And luck, as the JLPT is, after all, a multiple choice test.

N2 is nothing when compared to the skills you need as an interpreter, by far the most demanding job language-wise. Vocabulary-wise, it is highly insufficient, and for all the other skills you need as an interpreter, it is irrelevant, as it has no speaking section. It's good to have it on your resume, but when it comes as an actual measurement for interpreting skills it's nothing. I know some people who were interpreting at N3-N2 level, but they were doing a really shoddy job and only got the job because there was no competition and they had connections, and their boss didn't mind terrible quality interpreting so long as the meaning went across somewhat. Normally, even N1 level isn't enough for quality interpreting since, again, the N1 doesn't involve speaking; I'd say my speaking level was at N4 level when I passed the N1 since I was only good at what was on the test.

imho, interpreting is a job you should consider when you're already advanced in a language. Otherwise, it's just as much of a pipe dream as being an astronaut.

However, I *do* suggest taking the JLPT (3, or even 4) if you don't mind the $30. For me, the JLPT was an amazing source of motivation, and I probably wouldn't have gone too well if I wouldn't have the yearly December challenge. I've not made any similar progress in other languages, and I think that the lack of deadlines and such a structured test to measure my ability is a factor. A structured, yearly exam, with a fairly well-defined set of vocab/grammar/kanjis/requirements, that is internationally competitive by nature, and which has a well-established community struggling for each level, is a godsend.

However, don't put off anything in order to take it. Learning a language is an ongoing process which works best when you put a steady amount of work into it over the course of a few years, not a few months' marathon. The JLPT should be a measurement of your yearly progress, not an end goal.

I wish that this forum let me upvote the answers I liked, similar to StackOverflow

ariariari Wrote:I wish that this forum let me upvote the answers I liked, similar to StackOverflow

Well, there is a stackexchange for Japanese https://japanese.stackexchange.com/

Not sure how many people are actively using it though.

Flamerokz Wrote:

ariariari Wrote:I wish that this forum let me upvote the answers I liked, similar to StackOverflow

Well, there is a stackexchange for Japanese https://japanese.stackexchange.com/

Not sure how many people are actively using it though.

There's also the one on reddit and it's pretty active. For some reason I'm not a big fan of the format though.

@OP: I passed N4 last year and am working towards N3 now. I agree with the posters who say that both N2 and N3 are probably not good goals for you right now.

I recommend that you buy the official N5 practice test and take it under exam conditions at home (i.e. under time constraints and in a quiet place). You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Lauguage-...4893588214. If it's a breeze, repeat the process for N4. I think that one of these exams would provide a good challenge for you in December. As others have said, simply having that goal out there, and paying money for the exam, is a great motivator.

In my case, last year many people told me that N3 would be a good exam for me to take. I breezed thru the N5 practice test but the N4 decimated me last summer. So I signed up for the N4 exam. It took me a lot of work, and I barely passed, but I did pass in December. Personally, I would be interested in hearing your score on the practice tests.

In terms of how to best prepare for the exams, one thing I recommend is getting an online teacher. Most people here use the Japanese Online Institute and italki. There are tons of professional teachers out there who specialize in helping people on these exams.

I have personally found this forum useful for study tips (e.g. how to best use anki), as well as having a group of people who are "in the same boat" as me. (For example, see the 2015 JLPT N3 thread).