LogFAQs > #913454994

Sayoria posted...

Do you have to pass N5 to go to N4? I kind of regret not doing it but just found out today the test was happening. I might have been able to pass N5.

You can take any level as long as you pay the fee.

CoolMaskGuy posted...

Dragonblade01 posted...

Any resources you'd recommend using to prep for N1 now that you've taken the test?

A lot of the practice books are perfectly fine and get the job done, but what I used specifically was:

N1 - This is just the official practice test that they release every year. Just one mock test, exactly like the real thing, and pretty cheap. So it's good to use to get a baseline of where you're at and what you should focus on.

N1 - This is a collection of three mock tests with simple explanations for the answers. Good for when you're approaching the test day and you want some comprehensive review.

500 N1 - This is a great book for drilling the language knowledge points (as opposed to reading or listening). It's a collection of 500 problems, and each page has three questions (one for pronunciation, one for vocab, and one for grammar phrases). It's not good for getting a feel for the whole test, since the types of questions aren't as varied as what you'll get on the real thing, but on the back of each page of questions is a clear and concise explanation of the answers.

TRY! N1 - This is the book I used to review the grammar topics. It provides an explanation for all of the many grammar phrases that crop up in N1. The explanations can be a bit obtuse at times; but to be fair, the way the JLPT handles grammar can be pretty obtuse in general. It has tons of practice questions and divides the topics into chapters over some short reading, which is very helpful.

N1 - This is the book I used to practice reading. It offers multiple sample readings for every style of reading problem that appears on the test. It also contains practice reading tests that are exactly how they would be organized in the real thing.

kayoticdreamz posted...

So how are you guys going about learning Japanese?

Advice for a noob with a hearing impairment(though not so deaf that I HAVE to have hearing aids.)

The key thing about starting is you need to find something that works for you (and that you can tolerate) until you establish a foundation of basic understanding. Once you have that, you can more easily start practicing using methods that are more interesting to you (such as reading comics, or playing games, etc.).

Personally, I'm pretty academically-minded, so a formal classroom setting was the perfect way for me to learn the basics.