Hi all, sorry for the long post, just reflecting after my exam today.
Just finished N4 today and am pretty sure I failed. This is disheartening because I know my language level is and should be better than this based off my experiences and preparation. The first 30 minute vocabulary section I finished with 5 minutes to spare, probably got all of those right. The 60 minute grammar and reading section I got tripped up on one or two questions in beginning trying to decide between two choices and then later just ran out of time. I did not even read 4 questions and randomly filled in those answers. And because of the time crunch I also felt myself panicking which further slowed me down. Next time I will probably start with the long passages at end and finish with the shorter questions at beginning.
For the listening section - no confidence. Probably only 5 questions I know I got right, the rest were stabs in the dark answering based off key words I heard but were probably just put in there to trick you. I feel this is the area I need to focus on most next time. I know I know the vocabulary but it just was not clicking with me fast enough. During my practice test I also felt it was difficult to catch everything on the first play and after playing the question back a second time, I would be able to answer it correctly. That's the biggest red flag I need to fix I think before testing next time.
Now my background and experiences - I've been self studying Japanese off and on for 3 years. I have 8 language exchange friends in Japan who I text once a month or so. I finished the two volumes of Genki Elementary series and used flashed cards to memorize any N4 vocabulary I was missing. Last year I was able to spend 3 weeks in Japan traveling and speaking only Japanese to my friends everyday. When I told my friends I was taking JLPT they thought I would be taking N2! (Probably just being polite) I read 3-4 articles a week of TangoRisto. I also took 2 N4 practice tests and did well, but did feel the reading and grammar section was tight on time and the listening section I had to sometimes play twice as mentioned above, the two things which will probably do me in.
How can I prepare better next time? I am not retaking the N4 because I can't see myself staring endlessly at vocabulary and grammar I already know. So I will just aim for the N3 next year.
My thoughts are:
J
Just finished N4 today and am pretty sure I failed. This is disheartening because I know my language level is and should be better than this based off my experiences and preparation. The first 30 minute vocabulary section I finished with 5 minutes to spare, probably got all of those right. The 60 minute grammar and reading section I got tripped up on one or two questions in beginning trying to decide between two choices and then later just ran out of time. I did not even read 4 questions and randomly filled in those answers. And because of the time crunch I also felt myself panicking which further slowed me down. Next time I will probably start with the long passages at end and finish with the shorter questions at beginning.
For the listening section - no confidence. Probably only 5 questions I know I got right, the rest were stabs in the dark answering based off key words I heard but were probably just put in there to trick you. I feel this is the area I need to focus on most next time. I know I know the vocabulary but it just was not clicking with me fast enough. During my practice test I also felt it was difficult to catch everything on the first play and after playing the question back a second time, I would be able to answer it correctly. That's the biggest red flag I need to fix I think before testing next time.
Now my background and experiences - I've been self studying Japanese off and on for 3 years. I have 8 language exchange friends in Japan who I text once a month or so. I finished the two volumes of Genki Elementary series and used flashed cards to memorize any N4 vocabulary I was missing. Last year I was able to spend 3 weeks in Japan traveling and speaking only Japanese to my friends everyday. When I told my friends I was taking JLPT they thought I would be taking N2! (Probably just being polite) I read 3-4 articles a week of TangoRisto. I also took 2 N4 practice tests and did well, but did feel the reading and grammar section was tight on time and the listening section I had to sometimes play twice as mentioned above, the two things which will probably do me in.
How can I prepare better next time? I am not retaking the N4 because I can't see myself staring endlessly at vocabulary and grammar I already know. So I will just aim for the N3 next year.
My thoughts are:
- Do more Skype sessions with Japanese friends practicing speaking and listening. After my return from Japan I spent all my time finishing textbooks, reviewing flash cards, and taking practice exams. I did not have any more Skype sessions with my friends but continued to text them.
- Find more test material to test listening. I should find fresh material and be able to consistently understand them on first play, and not after two+ plays.
- Adjust strategy on the grammar reading section and time myself better during the practice tests.
J