I’ve been using the 3DS game to practice, but I also got the 漢検ステップ books to actually learn the correct writings in the first place. They’ve been really helpful, since every couple pages it’ll give you a mini practice test. For the higher levels, I’m also going to buy the old question collection books for extra practice, because I don’t really like having my 3DS at my desk at work, even if I am studying. Plus, I imagine they’ll be a bit more like the test, where the training game wasn’t quite the same format.
Edited to add: somewhere in this thread someone mentioned there were some apps out now, which might be pretty useful if you have a stylus to practice with.
Time to see if I can still find my 3DS I guess^^. I actually bought a Japanese one a while back, but barely used it, because playing pokemon when you don’t know what anything does is not particularly fun.
This is so up my alley. Definitely a good goal to improve my kanji writing ability and knowledge. Out of curiosity, does anyone know of an equivalent test for English ability? I have a broader knowledge of English vocab than some people so I’m curious if there’s a way I can get that quantified, lol.
Results are in, and I got full points! Which apparently comes with its own special certificate separate from a pass as well. Almost felt silly taking 9 after I started studying for it and realized how easy it was, but now that I’m studying for 8 (and it’s kicking my butt, may have to settle for 7 in January) I’m glad I took it for the experience if nothing else. Think I’m gonna get back to a quick pace on WaniKani so I can at least knock out having to do any new lessons and shift way more time to this.
Once I get it on hand, I don’t mind at all! The Japanese teacher and principal joked about throwing me into the award ceremony for kids at the school so I would have to do an impromptu speech in Japanese, but then didn’t give it to me… so maybe they’re actually gonna do it
Do you mean this one? Because then I also got that one for my kanken 10 but my score was not completly perfect, i missed 4 points. Perhaps there is a certrain treshold that you have to pass?
So I finally got my certificate and you guessed it, they put me up in the school assembly with the rest of the kids that passed and made sure to tell them I got a full score, multiple times didn’t have to give a speech like I thought, though, so that was a welcome change of expectations.
Here’s the full point certificate (with name and what I assume was my test ID blacked out):
I went through a crazy writing phase, writing everyday for months and months. I passed the Kanken levels 9, 8, and 7 (2nd, 3rd & 4th grade of ES) when I lived in Japan. First, the tests are very comprehensive, they’ll test on many different types of examples as mentioned in this thread. Also, strokes need to be perfect, including little flicks and where some strokes intersect (or dont) other strokes. I had a Japanese teacher (the JHS 国語 teacher) check mine and he was strict! haha You’ll need to dedicate a fair bit of time to stroke order as this is also tested. Its meant for natives and I took it as a challenge when I lived in Japan, taking it at a prefectural testing centre with all these smart-type ES kids and their parents. Walking in there as an adult foreigner was strange. I’ll always remember the look of shock on their faces, and how their legs dangled from the adult chairs sat up at the desk with their indoor shoes on the ground and legs swinging around (test centre wasnt set-up for kids). A memorable experience, wish I had gone on with level 6 and 5 (5th and 6th grade ES), but just got burnt out and busy with other stuff. Best books for learning are the 漢検ステップbooks, check them out.
Finished my work exam this weekend, so back to Kanken 2級！
I like taking the paper one because of the fixed deadline, but the next one is only on February, what gives us more than 4 months. So I might end doing the computer based test again, depending on how study goes.
I haven’t gone yet. I put my focus back on N1 when that came around and then took a general break from targeted studying. I’m aiming for level 2 before the end of the year, possibly November.
It’s not done online. It’s done at various testing centers, where people can take other kinds of tests as well. It’s nice that you can just schedule it whenever you want, rather than waiting for the big paper test dates. For the writing portions, you use a tablet to draw the kanji and then input them. For hiragana readings and multiple choice sections, you just enter characters with the keyboard.
didn’t have to give a speech like I thought, though, so that was a welcome change of expectations.
