Maybe, but for me this usually isn’t an issue. I mean, not to boast, but if you see some of my exchanges on Twitter (with people I don’t really know/clearly older than me/who are very polite) or the emails I’ve written to Japanese universities, you’ll know that I can be quite 堅苦しい when I feel the need. No guarantees that everything I write is correct, and there are forms I don’t know, but I use keigo quite a lot.
I think I know how this feels though For me, it’s more like I mentally shelve the words I can hear but can’t identify, but once that shelf gets overloaded I just give up on the sentence.
Seriously though, while it’s becoming clear that I’ll need to take notes, just listening to the passages again has my comprehension increasing, so I really think I just need to warm up tomorrow before the listening section.
Just did a quick sample test of n2, not sure how well that translates. I think the problem is me having brain farts while reading the answers. Listening part went better than I expected.
Ah yeah, glossing over words while listening was my bane for several months, since I started studying 2 years ago actually . It stems from the fact that while watching anime in the past I would read subtitles, but only ever listen to the intonation and not actual words. I was for a long time genuinely scared that I will fail any listening exam, because I won’t be able to pick up enough from those fast JLPT conversations. I’m definitely not there yet, but the Soumatome and SKM books helped me massively by slowly easing me into hearing hiragana and then words in recordings.
A warm-up is for sure a very good idea. Not sure about taking notes. I personally tried, but writing anything fast in Japanese is a no-go so I just scribbled in English or using arrows and letters. For me it still had a massive impact on comprehension, though
I mean, I can write kanji fast, but that’s because I’m used to it. Hiragana are somewhat OK. Katakana not really. As for understanding while taking notes… yeah, note-taking has a negative effect, but since the N1 (IDK about the N2) includes questions that require comparing characteristics across what’s been listed, not taking notes might be really risky. My comprehension isn’t so good that I remember everything straightaway.
Yes, there are 2 such blocks of questions on the N2 as well
type 1: questions and answers are given only at the end of the conversation, but these are either topical or simple sentences (can also be choices of buses, hours, etc. specified by a chosen one of the speakers)
type 2: above, but the speakers specify a certain preference for types of things 1-4 or A-D. that type sometimes has a prelude in the form of a TV/radio ad
type 1 is usually the easier one (but honestly not super easy) and with some minor sparse notes no problem. type 2 is giving me trouble often
For this I’m planning to just jot down the theme and what seem like likely options + simple facts about each. I think the essence of it is to create a table of comparable characteristics on the fly. I was testing myself a few minutes ago. If I’m fully focused and catch on to the context quickly, I can probably take notes while understanding most of the important details. Otherwise though… no, it’ll be harder. But at least now I know how the passages will be structured and what I need to look out for, so it’ll be easier for me to filter what I hear as well.
(Honestly, this is basically what I do when I live-TL as well, because I need to type while listening and rearranging the sentences in my head. The difference is that collab streams on YouTube usually use simpler words.)
EDIT: Yeah, for what it’s worth, I tried my luck with what I think is type 2 from the 2012 sample instead. It’s from the final listening section, right? (I used the 2012 sample because I wanted something I hadn’t heard yet.) Topic was internship types being presented at a job fair. Criterion for selection specified at the end was ‘trying lots of different companies’. I wasn’t 100% sure, but based on my notes and what I heard, I figured only ‘seminar type internships’ would work, and I was right. I definitely didn’t understand everything, but I got enough to follow along. So it’s doable as long as I’m focused and prepare to listen.
PS: Note-taking tip: if you have to write a word down in Japanese, hiragana is definitely faster than kanji. I’m gonna use a few kanji for key ideas because they’re more natural for me, but otherwise I’ll use kana to keep up.
Yup, I think it’s that type. 2 questions per recording (person A and person B), questions and answers given at the end. However, I now feel this type might be easier than type 1 (the non-topical one), because here it’s clear what to expect - 4 types of things, both person A and person B will decide on one they prefer the most. In type 1 you sometimes get 3 people speaking and sometimes it’s hard to gauge what the question might be about - stations to get off at? A bus hour/number to take? Location? A bus route…?
Honestly, my general impression is that for this sort, the question is usually quite general. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m seeing 5 question types:
Task-based comprehension
Point comprehension
Summary comprehension
Quick response
Integrated comprehension
For me, the hardest was probably type #1 in terms of required speed, but as for what you’re mentioning, it sounds more like #3. In those cases, it’s usually not as hard, because it’s usually just the gist that you need. However, if it’s about a specific detail, well… I still think the passage usually revolves around the specific thing that needs to be picked.
EDIT: OK, I think I really should get to bed now. I probably will be up early for a stream (and also so I can have an early breakfast + more JLPT prep), but that also means I need to sleep as well as possible. Goodnight, and good luck everyone!
Remember that an important but often neglected part of test prep is letting your brain get some well-deserved rest , so it can work better during the test!
This is not about trying to force yourself to do things (forcing yourself to sleep, forcing yourself to relax, forcing your anxiety to go away). It’s about making some space and giving yourself the chance to have relaxation/fun, even if just a little bit.
A warm shower/bath. A cozy cup of tea. Listening to one of your favorite songs. Doing some light reading just for fun. Watching one episode of that show that always makes you laugh. Having a conversation (even if by phone or text) with a loved one. Watching some cute cat/dog videos. Laughing at silly memes. Quick, simple things, that can give your brain a break.
And the star seems to always be at the 3rd position.
This seems to confuse a lot of people, including me, when seeing it for the first time.
Also, checklist of things to bring:
Test Voucher
photo id
(in some sites like London apparently, also attach a photo to your voucher. not in Vienna.)
pencil. maybe 2 to be safe
eraser
pencil sharpener
Also make sure your phone doesn’t ring during the test.
Good luck everyone, you’ve got this! Remember you only need around 50% of the points (and around 30% in each section)
Yesterday I just went through some more sample questions mostly for reading and grammar sections. Today Il do my normal Wankani and Bunpro reviews and hope for the best!
I am sorry that it took you so long to notice this resource!
We watch youtube on our television through a Roku stick. So most of my JNN stuff is through youtube now.
I often figure that there are so many piles of resource stuff here that I don’t bother posting new ones I find. This reminds me to go ahead and post good stuff on WK.
linchou, just a heads up, I probably have to leave right after the test, so unfortunately not much time for chatting for me ^^ I’ll report here in the thread though (=
good luck everyone!
For me, it’s more like I mentally shelve the words I can hear but can’t identify, but once that shelf gets overloaded I just give up on the sentence.
. It stems from the fact that while watching anime in the past I would read subtitles, but only ever listen to the intonation and not actual words. I was for a long time genuinely scared that I will fail any listening exam, because I won’t be able to pick up enough from those fast JLPT conversations. I’m definitely not there yet, but the Soumatome and SKM books helped me massively by slowly easing me into hearing hiragana and then words in recordings.
, so it can work better during the test! 
A cozy cup of tea.
Listening to one of your favorite songs. 
Doing some light reading just for fun. 
Watching one episode of that show that always makes you laugh. 
Having a conversation (even if by phone or text) with a loved one. 
Watching some cute cat/dog videos. 
Laughing at silly memes. 
Quick, simple things, that can give your brain a break.
(and around 30% in each section)
It’s 35 degrees here in Tokyo and they had us line up outside for ages.
