Ok, I just wrote JLPT level 2 this weekend and I think I just passed. I'm going go out on a limb and try to be ready for the 'new' level 1 in 6 months. It's a lofty goal but what the heck.

So, that being said, can I keep using 'old' JPLT 1 grammar study books? From what I've read at Wikipedia the new level 1 should be the same as the old one.

If not, are any new books out? Any recommendations?

PS I'm probably going to stick with Kanzen Master, though I did find that quite a few grammar questions on this past JPLT level 2 exam where *not* covered by the KM book ...

I would like to apologize for necro-posting but... yea.. are there any new books out or are the current JLPT books more than enough to study for the new level... ^^;

No worries about necro-posting ... but considering no one answered my original post we might not get any answers

I'm using the Kanzen Master Level 1 book at the moment. I like it but I *am* finding the obscure grammar points very difficult to memorize. My Japanese friends can't believe some of the stuff needed for level 1 and some even say they've never in their life ever seen some of the grammar needed for the exam

I'm in the same situation, thinking of taking it in July, so I'm probably going to do what I did for 2kyuu in a more streamlined way for 1kyuu - spreadsheet version of Kanzen Master for grammar, Unicom for vocab and kanji, and reading newspapers online for reading comp. The test is supposed to emphasize practical applications that we're likely to encounter but also suggests that we are to be able to connect abstract ideas... in other words, I don't think anyone will have any idea what's coming until July.

There are books detailing the contents of the new test available at Japanese bookstores.

You can use all previous books to study for level N1, N2, N4, and N5. As far as I could tell there are no changes big enough to warrent the making of new books for all levels.

N3 is the exception.

Are there any books out for the N3? Since this is a new level, I'm a bit hesitative to taking it. By December my level of Japanese will be higher than N4, but most likely still below N2 level.

*sigh* dilemma

amagiri Wrote:Are there any books out for the N3? Since this is a new level, I'm a bit hesitative to taking it. By December my level of Japanese will be higher than N4, but most likely still below N2 level.

*sigh* dilemma

There are two out now.

A general N1/N2/N3 guidebook showing example problems only.

A N3 reading practice book.

The best information I have been able to find online is the
official guide.

Maybe this should go to a new thread but here we go, I have taken a look to the N1 and compared to our old friend 1kyuu:

- There are 2 sections instead of 3.
First section is vocabulary, grammar and reading. 110 minutes. Scores 120 points
Second section is listening. 60 minutes. Scores 60 points

- The scores in 3 sections:
-- vocabulary / grammar (60 points)
-- Reading (60 points)
-- listening (60 points)

Apart from scoring more than some minimum to pass the test, each of these sections will also have a minimum.. As far as I understood, neither the global minimum nor the minimum for each section is defined yet.

- The listening section has more problems, it is longer (60 minutes instead of 45 minutes before) and very probably it is harder (thought this can be quite disputed point).

- Problems vocabulary/grammar/reading have also changed somewhat, some newcomers and some have gone. Personally I see like a big change that only one problem was about connecting yomikata and kanji, the "yomikata for the following kanji" problem. It will have 6 questions but I dont know how much each of those will score.

Womacks23 Wrote:There are books detailing the contents of the new test available at Japanese bookstores.

Really? Has anyone read this one?
http://bit.ly/b83la9

Or did you see other ones? I want vocab lists, etc... not just a pamphlet on the differences for 3 tests (if that's what this one ends up being - haven't seen it in person yet).