Moving from JLPT 2 to JLPT 1

[jakewasd]

Hi all,

I passed JLPT 2 with a score of 315. (70, 96, 149). I am interested in going for JLPT 1. Any recommendations on how to study for JLPT 1 and main differences from level 2.

Thanks
Jake

[Jessi]

Congratulations! I think the biggest jump from 2 to 1 is in kanji and grammar. In level 1 they test from a pool of almost 2000 kanji, and the grammar covered is quite advanced (there are a lot of things that you just need to study, you won't hear them in daily conversation or anything like that).

If you're looking for some study guides, I highly recommend the Kanzen Master series. With the help of these books I was able to pass JLPT level 1 myself. I think that at the higher levels, you need to study specifically FOR the test. Of course get in as much outside listening/reading/etc as you can, but make sure that you know what they'll be testing and focus on that so that you'll be fully prepared.

And of course, Japanese Pod! I would go through the Upper Intermediate Series and Audio Blogs and go over anything you have trouble understanding.

[jakewasd]

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the information. Congratulations on passing level 1. I aspire to be like you some day : ) I do agree that Japanese pod 101 was a great help in my studies.

Jake

[Rod Wadd]

Congratulations! Terrific listening score, especially! I'm in pretty much the same position having just passed 2kyu. I've found that the textbooks I really liked when studying for 2kyu don't really follow the same format when aimed at 1kyu (probably because of a lot more stuff to cover in the same space).

What I'm doing now is working on my perceived weaknesses. For listening practice, I've been listen to the j-pod upper intermediate, watching a bit more j-tv, etc. For vocabulary, I've been going through a frequency list of words appearing in Japanese newspapers and putting any words I don't know into anki. I'm also specifically studying onomatopoeia because that was a real weak point during 2kyu.

As for the differences between tests, besides the content I think the format of the moji-goi questions is different, and the readings are longer. I haven't really taken a look at the actual test yet (I'm more in my Japanese for Japanese sake phase than my JLPT phase right now) but I know that past tests are available online if you're adventurous

[mrtrombone]

hey. i was wondering if you guys could shed some light on studying for the 2kyuu seeing that you have passed. i also passed the 3kyuu this year and am hoping to do 2kyuu this december. but seeing how the gap before 3kyuu and 2kyuu is so big, i really don't know where to start.

i guess if you guys could recommend some books, websites, techniques that you've used to study for 2kyuu, that would be great!

[Jessi]

To be honest, I haven't taken 2kyuu but if the Kanzen Master books for that level are anything like the ones for 1kyuu, then they're the best out there (in my opinion)

At home I have some great sites bookmarked, so I'll share those later on when I can.

[jakewasd]

I wanted to thank everyone for the great ideas and responses. It has given me good direction for moving forward. I also wanted to share some of my thoughts on preparation for level 2.

I love Japanese Pod 101 and try to listen every day while I drive. Even though the beginer levels are easy, I find it helps keep the Japanese side of my brain engaged. I also really like a pod cast from yomiyuri news. It is a summary of the news events in Japan and feel it is at a more advanced level so it really pushes me. I used a series of books published by Unicom called The Preparatory Course for the JLPT and also used a separate book that had a couple of practice tests in it. For Kanji, I have a set of flash cards for all of the joyo kanji and I always have a set of 100 that I am working on and carry with me. That way if I have some down time, I can pull them out review them.

Good luck and Thanks,
Jake

[Javizy]

I love Japanese Pod 101 and try to listen every day while I drive. Even though the beginer levels are easy, I find it helps keep the Japanese side of my brain engaged. I also really like a pod cast from yomiyuri news. It is a summary of the news events in Japan and feel it is at a more advanced level so it really pushes me.

I used to listen to the news podcast, but I always found it a bit frustrating. Recently I subscribed to フジテレビ's 今日のきょう, which is released every weekday, so it gives me something extra to listen to on a regular basis. It's about things that happened on this day in the past, with some extra presenter banter. The language is more of a standard semiformal kind, rather than the unique written style used in the news, so it's a good intermediary between JPod and Yomiuri.

Some others I'm subscribed to are below. I'd welcome any recommendations if you know any interesting ones

角谷浩一の映画大好き！ムービーパラダイス
ココが知りたい！(video)
ブックナビ おすすめの一冊
books A to Z
EnglishPod101

[Rod Wadd]

i guess if you guys could recommend some books, websites, techniques that you've used to study for 2kyuu, that would be great!

I started out by reading the answers to the old grammar questions, which the Meguro Learning Center website offers for free. Any of the sentences I didn't understand I'd look up in the dictionary, and try to figure out on my own. The example sentences at the WWWJDIC were readlly helpful in that. I'd then confirm with my conversation partner to see if I'd gotten them right.

I used these textbooks to work towards 2kyu:

http://www.ask-shop.net/shopdetail/042002000012/order/

http://www.ask-shop.net/shopdetail/042002000010/order/

http://www.ask-shop.net/shopdetail/042002000011/order/

I've never read anyone recommend them online before but my conversation partner lent them to me and I found them very user friendly, with fun pictures and examples.
The kanji are taught in context, which I found really helpful. I put any of the compounds I didn't know into anki.

After that I went through these practice readings one by one http://www.nihongo2.com/level2/ which were quite a chore, but by the end I think they get significantly harder than anything that appears on the actual JLPT 2. The readings are the files that begin with "r" I believe

Before the test I went through old practice tests.

I guess it goes without saying that I listened to the upper intermediate podcasts here as well, since I'm posting on this forum after all!

That's what I did, can't promise that it's the fastest or most efficient way, but it's worked for me, somewhat!
I

[Elfunko]

Excellent post here. Though not specifically for JLPT 1, I'd recommend:

D-addicts.com and download
gaki no tsukai
smap smap
gurunai
london hearts
lincoln
Aibou (I enjoy cop dramas)
and everything else you can get your hands on. Everything until Aibou teaches you modern day pop culture, cultural icons, cultural values, as well as current cultural humor.

Podcasts:

Suntory Saturday Waiting Bar Avanti
Very advanced listening. Can listen for study or just put on in the backround during a nabe party, it sets a good mood and theres always an interesting story. I've looked at some of those podcasts mentioned above long ago and never got hooked somehow, but seeing this thread I'll definitely look again.

Textbooks:
Thats already covered. Other than textbooks are every other piece of literature your heart desires, you can get your hands on, etc.

Personally, I was aiming for the JLPT 2 and studied a bit. If I wouldn't have passed I'm sure I'd get at least 50%, but I think I know more than 50% of the required everything for JLPT 2, so from yesterday I bumped my goal up to JLPT 1 because studying to pass 14% more or whatever passing grade is isn't as motivating or challenging as studying for well, the JLPT 1. And if you are reading, watching tv, reading, listening etc you've already been accustomed to JLPT2 material for the most part. Of course, thats all my best guess, I wouldn't shell out $50 on a test I wasn't sure to pass, and now won't shell out $50 on a test that has no relevance (JLPT 1 does on an application). Anyway, no reason to be writing this all here, a big tangent....

And the JPOD opinion:

Mikis blogs are great. Don't listen to any advanced podcasts or yojijyukugo, though I would like to, because all the going back for english explanations is monotonous. For the love of god and the student, put it all in Japanese, and for japanese words that a gaijin might not understand explain it in (easy to understand) Japanese with dialogue between Peter and others, perhaps creating verbal examples to help understand complete nuance and meaning for words. When that happens I'll gladly pay subscription fees! Gladly!!!!

At which point I'll complain the explanations in japanese are too basic and ask for advanced advanced japanese. Customer never can be satisfied eh. lol j/k

[mslozada]

And the JPOD opinion:

Mikis blogs are great. Don't listen to any advanced podcasts or yojijyukugo, though I would like to, because all the going back for english explanations is monotonous. For the love of god and the student, put it all in Japanese, and for japanese words that a gaijin might not understand explain it in (easy to understand) Japanese with dialogue between Peter and others, perhaps creating verbal examples to help understand complete nuance and meaning for words. When that happens I'll gladly pay subscription fees! Gladly!!!!

At which point I'll complain the explanations in japanese are too basic and ask for advanced advanced japanese. Customer never can be satisfied eh. lol j/k

Exactly that is what everyone (from Intermediate and above) are complaining about. Too much English is still being used. I also downloaded yojijyukugo, premium and culture class lessons, but just can't listen to it because of all those English stuff's. I too would rather prefer (easy to understand) Japanese explanation's.

For now (just like Elfunko), I can only recommend '' Audio Blog ''
If you look at the comment's, Miki always writes in Japanese thus forcing everyone also to answer in Japanese. Now that is something you don't see in other lesson categories.

Reminder:
Intermediate and above = you are expected to be able to understand a large amount of Japanese. Passing lvl 3 before taking Intermediate lesson's is highly recommended (from my point of view)

Cheer's

[Elfunko]

What would you guys recommend for a flash card type program? I figure I might as well start since doing flashcards the old fashioned way is cumbersome. I still make all the flashcards, but there's limitations. Plus, a program that pulls up old routines automatically would be great. The thing is, when I tried a program in the past I needed to lie just to get it to give me the word about 8 times before I really get it in my head, from short term to long term memory. If I didn't the program would make me wait 3 weeks which was entirely too long for the memory of that word/etc. So, how bout it

Edit: Key would be portability, ie ability to utilize in itouch or iphone or another pda. In the past I'd rather make flashcards because they're small and portable, rather than need to have my laptop everywhere to practice.

[Javizy]

I use Anki for flashcards. It has four time interval options depending on the difficulty of the card, and the weight of these can be modified in the options. You can also create your own models if you want a format other than question-answer, and you can sync with your iPod/iPhone using iAnki, which you'll find on the website. You can use it online, too, including through a mobile device, which I think can be cached for off-line use, depending on the device.