I’ve updated the first post with the dates.
Best of luck for your first JLPT! What level are you taking?
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Thanks! I’ll take N4. I’ve done practise tests for N5 and I pass them as of now. So I’ll aim a bit higher and study hard! 頑張ります！
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I did the same a few years ago for my first JLPT! Do your best! 
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I managed to pass N4 just barely, it was terrible lmao. I guess I’ll aim for N3 in December. But no more screwing around, I’ll get my ass to level 20 and have at least 80% of N3 ready this time. Properly finish all of the Genki textbooks and then move to the Chukyu of Minna no Nihongo. For listening, hopefully I could start listening to LN audiobooks and podcasts since they’re still difficult right now. And pick up more JP Youtubers, they’re way too fun to pass on.
今度こそ、ちゃんと! (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑
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Well, my plan hasn’t changed. I’m going for N3 in July.
I passed N3 with 104 score, and I think I can get higher than that.
Obviously it would be great if I got 180 (which is max) but I’d be happy with anything above 150 I’d say.
But passing makes me more confident about my attempt at N2 in December.
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Now that the results are out for December I can confirm I will be taking the N4 in July! Time to put together a strict study plan and put in the hard work!
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Why not take N2 in July? Even if you can’t pass it would seem more useful to see it once. I don’t really see the point in taking N3 again, but maybe you really like tests 
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Despite passing, I really felt that I failed because I understood so little. The goal for me isn’t just to pass a test, but to know the contents. That’s why I want to make sure I get a good score.
I don’t want to get by in life by guessing.
If I did N2 in July and passed it by a small margin, I still wouldn’t feel comfortable saying I know Japanese.
Besides, my grammar and vocabulary score was very minimal. Pushing for N2 would be super hard.
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Gotcha. I’m kind of the other end that I don’t think they’re that good of a measure of your real Japanese ability, so I don’t really think of it that way. And they are kind of designed for you to pass at 60% or so, so I probably would not stress it too much. I think you’ll advance faster if you keep going forward.
But it’s probably a good idea not to hold it as your only source of progress, since it doesn’t measure everything (like actual real communication). But yeah that’s a topic for another discussion.
Because everyone posted their results, that kind of boosted my confidence… I want to change my plan and now actually think about taking N3 in July already 
instead of December (and I can retake in December if I fail, so…).
But I’ve changed my plans which JLPT level to take in 2020 and when/where so many times already, I might have a different opinion next week. 
Yes, especialy if I want to take N3 in July.
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Awesome, the registration for my first JLPT is going out tomorrow.
N5 is my first new years resolution.
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That’s not how language works and not definitely now how it works as a second language. There are N1 passers who don’t understand everything in Japanese. There are people who get lower scores the second time they take the test after passing it.
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I’m planning to try the N4 this year, I should’ve passed the N5 in 2019 but since I’m a moron I forgot to send the formular. (I was too late when I realized)
That’s also why my objective is to be almost level 30 (27 to be precise) to have eveything I need to know at least Kanji-wise !
Good luck to everyone !
Well, N5 in july yet again 
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Like I said in my post last September, I’ll be braving N1 in December 2020.
So far my preparation is just:
- Wanikani
But the responses to my post imply to me that I should also seek out study materials to up my kana-only vocabulary. Not sure how to do that besides lots of reading and vocab list creating! Any helpful links or tips would be appreciated.
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That means skipping N3 grammar in my case. I’m currently working my way through Kanzen master N3 grammar and I still come across content I don’t know. Which is probably why I only scored 27 points on that section on the test. I could ignore that book and just work on N2 grammar, but then I’d really just be learning for a test.
I also learn vocabulary through an SRS system like wanikani and I can’t just brute force that. I learn at the pace I’m at.
I’m not looking at my test results, I’m looking at the way I felt during the test. I couldn’t understand half of it. That to me, shows more than the results. Because yeah, I could do the N1 tomorrow and pass it just by sheer luck of guessing correctly. That doesn’t mean I know what it said. JLPT to me is just a guiding system on the way to fluency. It kind of holds my hand in terms of what I should be learning to progress. Without it, I’d feel lost.
I’m not going to do N2 in July, because the jump in knowledge is just too high to learn in 5 months. For me at least.
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I am an absolute beginner in Japanese and I am planning to take N5 this December in Seattle, Washington. I am currently on Lvl 3 in WK and I am doing pretty well so far. I have started seeing anime with English subtitles. I am not sure how or when to start grammar since the grammar books will have a lot of unknown Kanji. Should I wait till I reach a higher level to start grammar? Also, what are some really easy podcasts/youtube channels to listen to improve my listening skills? Thanks
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You should probably start grammar now. Wanikani will definitely get you there for vocabulary, and if you pick up Genki 1, it shouldn’t have unknown kanji( other than what it teaches you).
However if you don’t supplement your wanikani, you wont make it. You’ll get out of your test what you put in.
I’m thinking about taking the N2 in December, but I haven’t studied any Japanese for a year and a half (since I moved back from Japan). I might not actually take the test, but I think having a tangible goal in mind with help me study more often.
Kanji: Wanikani
Vocab: Torii (the N3 and N2 lists without Wanikani content is what I’m thinking about using)
Grammar: I have Minna no Nihongo Chuukyuu 1, but I’ve finished that book. I was thinking that I’d review it and watch Nihongo no Mori N3 and N2 videos. I’m trying out Bunpro, but not sure how well it works for intermediate learners
Listening: Not sure yet, any advice would be appreciated
Reading: Tangoristo, maybe the intermediate book club
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Here are some listening recommendations for beginners:
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