So, after passing 3級 in December, I've been studying pretty intensely these months for 2級 and lately I've been thinking that since I can *now* get a score of ~75% in 2級 past papers I could possibly challenge myself and study really really hard for 1級. The thing is that it's gotta be a self-study course.

Pros: I'll get to pass it (if so) before the 2010 change
Cons: Lots of hours of studying and I doubt I'll remember much if I don't keep revising even after passing 1級.

So, my question is, has anyone ever tried something like that? Would you think that you could do that?

not really a reply, but aren't they gonna introduce a fifth level between 1 and 2? That would solve your problem.

If you're already getting passing grades on JLPT2 now, it is conceivable that you could pass JLPT1, albeit with a low score, by December if you work hard at it.

I was all ready to flame this thread thinking it would be the same question as the JLPT1 in 3 months one.

lanval Wrote:not really a reply, but aren't they gonna introduce a fifth level between 1 and 2? That would solve your problem.

No, it's between 3 and 2.

Orenji Wrote:So, after passing 3級 in December, I've been studying pretty intensely these months for 2級 and lately I've been thinking that since I can *now* get a score of ~75% in 2級 past papers I could possibly challenge myself and study really really hard for 1級. The thing is that it's gotta be a self-study course.

Pros: I'll get to pass it (if so) before the 2010 change
Cons: Lots of hours of studying and I doubt I'll remember much if I don't keep revising even after passing 1級.

So, my question is, has anyone ever tried something like that? Would you think that you could do that?

That's a tough thing, since the gap between 3 and 2 is so much bigger. And tests get harder every year, so past test are actually easier than today's tests. I heard that 1級 is even difficult for Japanese people since 古代日本語 related things also appear. Even if you would study 24/7, 1級 in 6 months... or even 2級... 大丈夫かな

lanval Wrote:not really a reply, but aren't they gonna introduce a fifth level between 1 and 2? That would solve your problem.

I think everybody is racing to pass that test this year since the new test will introduce new parts (I think even writing) and not only multiple choice, it's gonna change quite some...

Jarvik7 Wrote:I was all ready to flame this thread thinking it would be the same question as the JLPT1 in 3 months one.

*fanning Jarvik7
落ち着いて下さい...!

Musashi Wrote:

lanval Wrote:not really a reply, but aren't they gonna introduce a fifth level between 1 and 2? That would solve your problem.

I think everybody is racing to pass that test this year since the new test will introduce new parts (I think even writing) and not only multiple choice, it's gonna change quite some...

Nah, it's not going to change that much. A new kyuu between 3 and 2, and 1kyuu will be changed to measure more advanced abilities (I don't think they intend to make it much harder though).

No test section will be added, they are just going to merge the various tests into two: Reading test and Listening test.

Tobberoth Wrote:

Musashi Wrote:

lanval Wrote:not really a reply, but aren't they gonna introduce a fifth level between 1 and 2? That would solve your problem.

I think everybody is racing to pass that test this year since the new test will introduce new parts (I think even writing) and not only multiple choice, it's gonna change quite some...

Nah, it's not going to change that much. A new kyuu between 3 and 2, and 1kyuu will be changed to measure more advanced abilities (I don't think they intend to make it much harder though).

No test section will be added, they are just going to merge the various tests into two: Reading test and Listening test.

I hope so, 気になるから
Somewhere there was this rumor that it's not gonna be all multiple choice and that it was going to be harder made me worry hehe

They wrote in their press release that they'd like to add a writing section sometime in the future, but not yet. The logistics of it would make it nearly impossible. The test is extremely popular and is offered in many countries. They could never find enough people to check all the tests if there was a written section.

Well done OP- I passed 3級 in Dec as well but there is no way I could pass 2級 right now.

I also thought this was going to be another troll thread, lol

Musashi Wrote:I heard that 1級 is even difficult for Japanese people since 古代日本語 related things also appear.

No. We really need to put this myth to rest. L1 is a complete joke for native Japanese speakers.

I recently asked one of my Japanese friends, who has lived in America a long time and often complains about how much kanji/vocab she has forgotten, to try taking the L1 test to see how she would do. The first section has a time limit of 45 minutes; she finished it in 12 minutes and only got one question wrong, and this is with absolutely zero preparation.

I'll second that. I am not sure where that myth came from, but I've heard it a few times as well. I have never taken any of the JLPT tests, since that'd be kinda' silly, but I did check the sample test the first time I was told that by an American student. I can see where it'd be very difficult for a foreigner learning the language, but I can't imagine any natives having trouble with it! It's very easy compared to language tests encountered in the Japanese school system, especially the higher grades.