I should’ve kept doing Wanikani instead of focusing on other things, as vocab was definitely my downfall. The reading section was much easier for me, and listening is hands down my best, so the test got easier the further into it I got, but I think I missed enough on the vocab/kanji bit to maybe not have passed. Need to just stick with WaniKani for once so I’ll be ready for the December test.
I was one of the people affected by the Kagoshima line crap. Evidently something happened with a section of the power lines that run above the trains on the EXACT train that I was on. I left with about an hour and a half of wiggle room so I could get to the test site, grab snacks for the break and all that stuff. Instead, I sat at Akama station for like an hour. They had everyone move over to a sonic train and shot us directly, without stopping, to Hakata, then I had to go backwards to Kyusandaimae station, but it was already past the test starting time by the time I arrived. I figured I was screwed (since the JLPT website says if you’re late for ANY reason, your test won’t be graded), but when the train doors opened, it was this huge flood of people running to the university.
So I sprinted for as much as I could to the test room. I got there with maybe like 1 or 2 minutes to spare. Luckily, because of the train I was on’s fiasco, a huge chunk of the Kagoshima line stopped for over an hour, which caused them to push back the start time of the test. So we start the test and I look like I just got out of a swimming pool, just completely drenched in sweat, trying to do my weakest part of the test, vocab.
Thank goodness the testing site understood the train fiasco stuff and started it later to give y’all a chance to still take the test! That’s so awful and what a situation to try and take a test in after. No matter the results I’m proud of you for doing your best in that situation!
omg that’s why a couple of people arrived late. I was surprised they were let in. glad you could make it! I was able to take a bus to the test site so I was spared the stress.
I’m so mad I know I missed a couple of kanji that are wanikani words. hopefully not too many.
Brooo, I had the same exact experience. I was waiting in the train thinking I’ll never make it and just take the exam on winter. I was drenched in sweat (running for 10mins under extreme heat) when I arrived at the test site 2 mins before 12:30. As I was getting ready to take the exam I looked at the blackboard, my face when they postponed the starting hour to 1:30pm. What an experience.
yaaa I was surprised too, but I guess it makes sense since so many people were late. if you were in room N303, I think I was the last person to come into the room. lol. I have 諦めない tattooed on my arm, and I didn’t want them to see that and disqualify me, so I planned on putting on a long sleeve button down before going into the test building. instead, I was like halfway running down the hallways trying to pull my long sleeve over my short sleeve, struggling to fit my arms in cause I was sweating so bad. hahahaha. it was rough
dude same! i was FUMING on the train. lmao. like WHY TODAY? WHY NOW?!
The first region for N1 registration just opened today and I’m watching the “available seats” count fly away to nothing after only a few hours If you’re on the fence about taking N2, it might be a good idea to do a mock test sometime this week before your region opens registration, just so you don’t lose your spot from wavering in your decision!
By the way, if anyone knows registration dates for other regions, Europe, South Am., etc. please feel free to post them. I get email updates for US dates, which is why I post them, but I don’t know anything about other areas.
In the specific case that anyone is using 日本語の森 materials, including their kanji workbook (which is free if I remember correctly) or their huge この一冊で合格する workbook, they’ve just sent out a 100-day N2 study guide. There are specific notes on when to brush up on each subject with reference to exercise pages in the books. Feel free to make a copy and use
Although I am curious how to improve vocabulary. I do worry that all that I have to do is just read more aa, but I am so glad that I can rest a little more regarding possibly getting a job after my ALT stint is up.
Thank you! Honestly, with how low my vocabulary is, I don’t think that I would be able to study well enough to pass N1 within one year of study… Although time schedule wise I don’t think I’d be able to take the N1 any time after next July so I should maybe give it a shot. I would really really need to put my nose to the grindstone.
Passing N2 was my biggest goal for a while because I needed it to give my Japanese resume a certification of Japanese proficiency as my contract as a teacher is on the back end. N1 would be nicer, but for now I feel that I can relax just a little bit when it comes to job searching. Maybe once I settle down at the next job I will aim for the N1, but for now I don’t feel as much urgency to pass the N1 as I did for the N2.
I am almost finished with the SKM grammar, and I am finished with the reading one. Do you think I would benefit from buying this book, or should I buy one with the mock exams, as those are usually much cheaper?
The content isn’t different from SKM, just laid out differently, so if you feel confident in what you’ve finished I’m not sure I would bother buying it. Even though there are three mock exams and lots of exam-style questions to drill in この一冊, you’d likely be skipping the entire grammar explanation section and vocab section which could seem like a bit of a waste of money. Books dedicated to mock exams instead of broader exam prep might be the way to go.
edit: There’s also the 500問 workbook dedicated to question drills that you might be interested in if you haven’t tried it yet. It assumes you’ve been exposed to all the concepts so it simply focuses on daily exam-style question practice.
Hi everyone, is anyone planning to take the N2 in July or December? If yes, what are your study routines looking like? I’m looking for some inspiration.
I have a vague plan to take it in December, but I haven’t been doing any focused study as of lately to be honest, I guess I need to regain some motivation. I’m confident in my reading in general, but I read mostly books/light novels and probably should move to more non-fiction materials, too. Grammar and listening are definitely points I should work on too.
US Test Takers:
If you’re on the fence about taking N2, it might be a good idea to do a mock test sometime this week before your region opens registration, just so you don’t lose your spot from wavering in your decision!
Do you think you’ll take the N1 next July?
