I’ve been there with N1 and will probably be there again on Sunday, despite a lot of improvement since last year!
My advice would be to make educated guesses and trust your instincts. You probably understand more than you think. Even at N1 level, I find I can usually narrow down to two options based on a few cues and context, without fully understanding everything. I’ve noticed there’s often one answer that just doesn’t fit, so you can improve your odds with a bit of skimming. If you’re struggling with timing and/or comprehension, try to focus on key words or conjunctions and - in the reading - what comes just before and after the bit they are asking about. Trace the text with your finger if you need to improve focus or reading speed.
If really stumped on a question, I’d probably go for the longest/most complex answer as a last resort.
For me, timing is crucial and it’s really important to give each section a balanced attempt, rather than blind guessing large parts. That caused me to fail last year, as I spent too long on the reading (got a surprisingly good score there) at the expense of language knowledge. So I don’t want to overthink any one question and will just move on to the next, otherwise I’ll run out of time.
N1 on sunday, been about 5 or so years since i passed the n2.
This time will be taken in Japan, looking at the infographic theres going to be about 2 thousand other n1 applicants taking it at the same time!
Much different from when i took it in my home country
I have been to Kurose a few times and can recommend it Also it’s close to the test location so you can have a look beforehand.
Don‘t know the other place though. Enjoy
Just finished the official N4 practice test. Seems like I passed with a surprisingly high score that I was not expecting. That’ll ease my nerves for the coming Sunday. I’ve been cramming a lot this past week, but I think I’ll now rest, relax and recharge for the actual test.
Huh, from my visual assessment at registration, N3 at SOAS has always seemed to have the shortest queue
I always figured it was because N5 and N4 are more for beginner’s self assessment, whereas most job listings are N2 or N1 minimum, so N3 is sort of a nowhere level that might get skipped.
Oh maybe , honestly I can’t remember haha, when I took the JLPT n3 it was stuffed full and that was two years ago now (omg). Are you taking the JLPT in SOAS this year? I’m taking the N1 gonna fail but I did the best I could under the circumstances!
Yep, I’ll be at SOAS tomorrow. Last year I somehow forgot all my pencils, so I’ve made sure to write a checklist for packing! I failed N3 by only a couple of points last December, but then fell out of study habits. Not optimistic about this year as motherhood hormones plus lack of sleep (I have a 7 week old baby) have liquified my brain.
Do most places assign the number of spots before registration starts?
We have to apply via snail mail over here, but I’d always just assumed they just go through registrations chronologically, filling up the rooms they have available until they’re all booked out and then they just fill the remaining seats.
First time I took the test in Japan, I was surprised by the scale of the test. Never had something like this back home. The site for my N2 back in July was the top floor of a huge warehouse. Had to be like 3000 people just there, and that is only for the N2. Then you remember the same levels have more sites and that there are other levels as well.
Going out to Hachiouji for the N1 tomorrow. Good luck everyone!
Just got off my flight from Germany , SOAS today? I mean it is nearly 1 am . I’m going crazy I forgot all the grammar I know and even so I only studied up to chapter 10 out of 20. Anyways I have to get a coach so I’ll sleep at around 1:30am . I wishing all in different time zones luck
At least your Japanese teacher didn’t outrightly say I think you’re going to fail hahah . But also on a more personal note I’m going to die in this exam (not literally) it’s going to be a guessing game at this point .
gonna be a slaughter fest, it does not really matter that much, I will just do the n2 next year. All I need to do is to jump into some reading material and get stronger immersion. Messed that one up after losing my grammar streak on bunpro
Also it’s close to the test location so you can have a look beforehand.
