Was there a clock in the room? Curious as I’m planning to take N4 in July there!
Yes there was a huge clock projected on a screen with next to it the time of start and finish of each section updated just after each section started with the actual starting time. Personal watches were however banned and being found with one was considered a violation that could result in disqualification or even banning from future tests.
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Thank you, and yeah, my study habits are mostly the same as before. I’ve slowed down a fair bit lately for a variety of reasons (busy with other stuff and feeling burnt out, mostly, but I’m still trucking along.
As for listening practice, I like to toss on Nihongo con Teppei when out on a walk. Not sure if my advice is any good, though, since I evidently still need to practice it a lot more.
Huh, I’m really surprised to hear that. I specifically recall our proctors talking about watches and only specific types not being allowed. This was in Copenhagen.
I guess I’ll bring one, ask them before the test starts if it’s legal, and remove it if it’s not.
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Maybe different test venues have different rules, definitely best to check before the test to avoid embarrassment (or worse disqualification).
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At least in the US, the test instructions specifically said that analog watches were permitted.
Guess that each local sponsoring organization may have some leeway in setting up the rules governing practices for the test locations that they administer.
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For general listening practice I really like the Japanese with Shun podcast, they’re short, N5-N4 level and he summarises some vocab at the end of each episode as well. For the exam though I went through the N4 listening mock exams on the JLPT Japanese youtube channel and they definitely helped a LOT.
On the watch discussion, Edinburgh was fantastic. They had a clock on the wall, a digital clock projected on the smartboard, and you could bring in an analogue watch. The organisers were fantastic tbh, super organised and helpful and they had a waiting room open as well so we weren’t standing out in the cold.
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I sent in my application for the N4 exam in July and really look forward reading up on everyone’s study plans or thoughts on all things concerning the jlpt.
This was the least active level thread last season. So I hope this time lots of you want to chat about your journey 
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The list of resources at the top of the thread has been updated - if you have recommendations regarding further resources to add, please suggest them
The 2024 JLPT exam dates are:
July 7, 2024
December 1, 2024
Please locate your home test center for more registration information.
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Planning on taking it in December this year. Just gotta get through my final year of high school first 
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Hi everyone! Taking the N4 in July as my first JLPT exam ever.
Are there any things I should be prepared for in terms of exam “experience”? How is it set up?
一緒に勉強を頑張ろう！
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My main suggestion(s):
- Take as many timed practice tests as you can - familiarize yourself with the types of test questions that you will be hit with, and practice budgeting your time so that you can finish each section - don’t get hung up if you miss something, just move on (that is especially important in the listening portion of the test).
Keep in mind that the JLPT test writers are always trying to trip you up and confuse you with similar but different answers - if you can’t immediately see the correct answer, then if possible, figure out how to quickly eliminate as many of the wrong answers as possible, make your choice from the remaining ones, and then move on.
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@servette 's advice is the same as mine - take practice tests! Many well-prepared examinees fail each year simply because they are not ready for the structure of the test.
Find JLPT N4 exam audio on Youtube and listen without watching the screen. Don’t read along with the script, don’t turn on captions, just listen and see if you can catch up.
Check out the free mock test on JLPTSensei and get a feel for the grammar questions because those, too, can be quite tricky. Good luck!
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Hi everyone, less than 2 months to the test, how’s everyone feeling? well-prepared?
I started learning Japanese on May 2023, one year ago, took the N5 test last December and passed, now I’ll go for the N4 this July together with you guys.
I’m currently level 18 on wanikani, which means I already know almost all of the kanji necessary for N4.
For Grammar, I’m using Bunpro, and I’m currently 126/177 on my JLPT N4 Grammar Deck, so i still need to do some cramming before the test.
I’ve been slacking with studying this year, motivation fell a little, but I still do at least 30 minutes or so everyday, did 2 mock tests so far, and i passed (although the grades weren’t phenomenal).
Feeling relatively confident but i know i still have a lot of homework to do.
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Wow, it looks like you have great stats on your learning while still a month and a half out! Congrats! What do you plan to do in the meantime to fortify what you’ve studied? (if anything)
Thank you!
To retain what i already learned, i try to divide it in 3 parts.
Passive Listening: Basically listening to beginner JP podcasts, “Nigonho con Teppei for begginers” for example. i’m trying to move to more intermediate ones like “Nigonho con Teppei” and “YUYUの日本語 Podcast”.
Reading: My main resource right now is Satori Reader, the ability to click on a sentence and get a detailed explanation on how the Sentence Structure works is really helpful, and the stories are also fun. Besides Satori, i also have a couple of beginner graded books/e-books.
Active listening: I have a couple of youtube channels that are really good for immersion at my level, “けんさんおかえり / Japanese Conversations”, “Comprehensible Japanese”
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Oh wow! I also started in May’23, passed the N5 in December and am now preparing for N4 in July 
I don’t feel well prepared at all. I’m at 142/177 on Bunpro and I haven’t memorized the majority of the grammar points I’ve studied so far. I’m also very behind on vocab. Just like you I lacked motivation to prepare until recently and now I’m fighting for my life 
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Lots of similarities, now we need to achieve N1 together haha, although you seen to be much more advanced on kanji compared to me, i’m still on level 18
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That’s all I focused on for months after the N5 tho. I really procrastinated studying by studying 
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2 weeks away from the JLPT. Just finished my Bunpro N4 Deck, hoping to just practice as much as possible until the test and hope its enough.
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Did a mock exam yesterday and passed it fairly well. 
My grammar is extremely weak though and I just can’t seem to get the hang on studying it in a way where I can successfully chose the correct answers 
why is it that my reading and listening comprehension is seemingly high yet the grammar sections are such a pain 
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