When it comes to learning new languages, beginners often cite Japanese as being among the most difficult to learn. One can commit several years of their life to learn the language, and still be far from the fluency of a native speaker. The JLPT N1 is considered to be the master test that only the truly competent can pass. Non-native speakers who attain JLPT N1 certification have thousands of hours’ worth of studying under their belts, and they’ve endured and mastered everything we’re going to cover in the following paragraphs.
What is JLPT N1, and what should you know about it? JLPT (Japanese Learning Proficiency Test) N1 is a comprehensive test held twice a year worldwide by The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. Its purpose is to evaluate one’s ability to understand, read, and listen to Japanese used in a variety of circumstances.
Individuals who have JLPT N1 certification have dedicated more than 1000 hours to the study of the Japanese language. They’ve memorized more than 2,000 kanji and learned over 10,000 vocabulary words total. What exactly goes into the JLPT N1? What can an aspiring test taker look forward to encountering on the test, and how should they prepare?
Why Take JLPT N1?
JLPT is split into five sections. Going from easiest to hardest, the levels are N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1. N5 tests basic Japanese skills that one would learn in a classroom, while N1 covers an extensive range of the language. Perhaps the main difference between an N1-level learner and a native Japanese speaker is specialized vocabulary.
Why would somebody want to take the JLPT N1? There are a few reasons that we’ll cover. The first reason is personal knowledge assessment. As we said, certain individuals spend countless years studying the language, picking up more vocabulary, and increased reading speed every day. JLPT N1 is an excellent way to track your progress. Because it only happens twice a year, it acts as a checkpoint, and the score they provide you with acts as a personal evaluation assessment.
There’s a professional reason for taking JLPT N1 too. Japan has a “Point-based Preferential Immigration Treatment System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals.”It’s their way of managing immigration control and residency management treatment. Individuals with 70 points find that the process is generally much smoother, as they are in higher demand than an individual with a lower score.
What Do You Need to Know for JLPT N1?
The JLPT and all of its levels are held twice a year: July and December. Testing locations are found worldwide across 62 countries. It is considered to be the largest Japanese-language test in the world, with about 610,000 examinees since its inception in 1984.
Material Covered
While there are five levels of difficulty pertaining to JLPT, this article is going to act as a comprehensive guide for students at the N1 level. JLPT N1 is the highest and most difficult level one can attempt in the test. A successful score in this area results in 15 points towards Japan’s point-based preferential immigration treatment system for highly skilled foreign professionals, and access to numerous jobs within the country.
What knowledge does a successful individual know when going into JLPT N1? The following list outlines what you should know regarding grammar, vocabulary, kanji, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension when going into JLPT N1:
- 400 Grammar Rules: Individuals at the JLPT N1 level will understand more than 99% of sentences said by Japanese natives, and this is thanks to their high knowledge of Japanese grammar.
- 10,000 Vocabulary Words: Individuals with JLPT N1 certification know over 10,000 vocabulary words, and this includes highly technical terms that are often used in very specialized administrative or scientific documents. With this robust set of words committed to knowledge, you are certain to understand any conversation, because it is far more than the number of words you’ll actually use in a week with your own native language.
- 2136 Kanji Characters: JLPT N1students need to know all the joyo kanji. All 2136 of these characters are of Chinese origin and are taught to Japanese high school students. Together, they make up the bulk of characters used in Japanese books or newspapers.
- Reading Essentials: JLPT N1 students can read books or other Japanese texts with relative ease. This includes news articles, scientific documents, and analytical.
JLPT N1 measures the level of understanding of Japanese that is used in a broad range of scenes for actual everyday life in Japan. Linguistic competence required at this level is defined through terms of language activities like listening and reading, and the level that each skill should be at is listed below:
- Reading: Individuals taking JLPT N1 can read complex writing that contains abstract writings and/or logical complexity on a broad spectrum of topics such as editorials and newspaper critiques while understanding both their structures and their contents. The individual is also able to follow their narratives while fully comprehending the intent of the writers.
- Listening: Individuals taking JLPT N1 completely understand materials that are presented orally, such as lectures, news reports, and coherent conversations that are spoken at natural speed in a wide assortment of settings. The individual is also able to follow their ideas and fully understand their contents. They can even comprehend each detail of the presented materials, such as the relationships between the people involved, the logical structures, and the essential points.
Testing Process
The testing process itself may seem daunting, but as long as you follow the guidelines, everything will be okay! People from all around the world take JLPT N1. They range from young children to older people, and they all need to go through a similar process in order to sign up.
In order to register for JLPT N1, simply go to their homepage and navigate to the proper registration page. Your current location and the location you plan on testing in may influence the process case by case. After you finish registering and pay the necessary fees, you’ll receive an official letter in the mail containing your test registration card.
One the day of the big test, make sure you take your registration card to the testing location so that you can properly sign in. JLPT N1 takes place in a classroom setting, and you’ll have a desk assigned to you based on what your registration number is. Strict timing regulations are enforced for each section of the test. Individuals normally receive their results a month and a half afterward. There are 180 available points in the JLPT N1, and you’ll need at least 100 points in order to pass.
Recommended Resources and Study Habits
Getting into the habit of studying for N1 can be daunting. At this point in the process, the studying individual has most likely exhausted all mainstream textbooks. From here, they’re reaching to achieve the understanding of a native speaker, so they must be creative and start thinking like such.
As with all things, practice is key! No matter what your preferred method of study is, it is of utmost importance that you find a study routine that suits your needs and stick with it. Even if it’s for just a few minutes, stick with the routine every day. There are a number of available resources, methods, and study tips that successful JLPT N1 test takers have pursued, and We’re going to share a few of them with you.
Study Material
From here, the studying individual is no longer relying on textbooks made for classrooms in their native country. If they’re going to speak and understand Japanese like a native speaker, then they need to think and learn like a native Japanese speaker. If textbooks are your preferred method of study, then you’re you’ll need to do a little bit of digging in order to find material suited to your learning needs. Luckily, We’ve done some digging for you and found some resources that you can check out right now.
An excellent resource to check out is OMG Japan. They have several resources for learning Japanese, but specifically, they have a special selection of textbook sets designed specifically for JLPT N1 study. Targeting advanced Japanese grammar, vocabulary, listening, and reading, the following textbook sets, though a bit pricy, are an excellent way to begin your studies.
First up is the New Kanzen Master JLPT N1 Complete Set.This set includes five textbooks bundled at $93. Here is a list of each textbook and what they offer:
- New Kanzen Master JLPT Level 1: Kanji: This textbook contains systematic learning plans to teach the readings and meanings of 677 essential kanji for JLPT N1. Emphasis is placed on practice, and it allows for the learner to gain practical knowledge of kanji and how to use them. It includes numerous practice exercises and a wide assortment of question styles.
- New Kanzen Master JLPT Level 1: Listening: This textbook targets listening, and introduces the learner to five types of listening questions: Instant Response, Task Comprehension, Point Comprehension, General Comprehension, and Integrated Comprehension. It’s essential to understand each question type as it improves JLPT N1 test strategy and score.
- New Kanzen Master JLPT Level 1: Reading Comprehension: This textbook is for tackling specific areas such as comparison, metaphors, rephrasing, and interrogative sentences. The reader is provided with plenty of practice with grasping the whole text. Selected passages range from pamphlets, advertisements, business documents, and informational publications.
- New Kanzen Master JLPT Level 1: Vocabulary: Every chapter in this textbook is designed with a practical exercise and basic exercise section. Readers study vocabulary meaning and usage in basic exercise sections and are prompted to test their abilities in the same format as the JLPT N1. The material in this textbook is chosen from past tests and references, ensuring effective training for the test.
Next up is the Nihongo So-Matome JLPT N1 Complete Set. Like the previous set, this collection includes five textbooks bundled at $93. It covers the same material, but their approach to teaching differs and may appeal to different learners. Here is a list of the included books, and what you’ll find within their pages:
- Nihongo So-matome JLPT N1: Kanji: This textbook serves as an eight-week study guide. It groups kanji and words according to their similarities, and the difficult Kun readings. From day 1 to day 6 within each week, readers study thematic words and characters. Day 7 of each week includes full summary checks of what has been taught and uses practice exercises based on JLPT N1.
- Nihongo So-matome JLPT N1: Vocabulary: Like the previous book, this textbook is an eight-week course. Readers study 20-40 words per day, all of which are found on JLPT N1. Every week, vocabulary is organized according to both functions and situations from day 1 to day 6. On day 7 each week, readers review everything they’ve learned so far in a practice exercise that is similar to the JLPT N1 format.
- Nihongo So-matome JLPT N1: Grammar: This is a grammar drill book designed specifically for JLPT N1 preparation. It’s a 6-week course that has a structure follows that of the other textbooks in this set. Readers learn to distinguish grammar structures that are grouped together. It’s one of the most well-known textbooks for learners aiming to take JLPT N1.
- Nihongo So-matome JLPT N1: Reading Comprehension: This textbook is different from the previous books in that it is formatted as a 6-week course. Readers begin with “Text Grammar” that provides basics for reading comprehension and go on to read short passages. They gradually gain experience in information retrieval to eventually start reading long passages to test comprehension. From day 1 to day 6 each week, readers practice with different sentence structures. By day 7, you can review previous weeks.
- Nihongo So-matome JLPT N1: Listening Comprehension: This book has five chapters. The first four are for practice, while the fifth is a review chapter. Chapter one begins readers on a mindset of sharpening listening comprehension with longer passages by covering often mispronounced words and sounds. The second chapter reviews different question patterns through practice questions. The third chapter includes methods for understanding various types of conversations. Chapter four helps readers master a wide selection of words and phrases.
The final textbook set JLPT N1 is the JLPT N1 Thorough Training Complete Set. Starting at $79, this bundle includes four textbooks that cover grammar, listening, vocabulary, and reading. At the time this article was written, it’s up to date with the current standards for JLPT N1. Here are the textbooks in the bundle, and what each one includes:
- JLPT N1 Grammar Thorough Training: This textbook is packed with strategies and examples to prepare learners for JLPT N1 with 627 practice questions for skill refinement. It has seven chapters. The first five introduce learners to the 220 most common grammar rules that appear on the test. Chapter six focuses on sentence assembly. The final chapter explains the grammar reading section of JLPT N1, providing five reading practice passages with answers.
- JLPT N1 Grammar Listening Training: This textbook includes two sections. The first section is filled with five chapters that introduce readers to five different ways JLPT N1 will test them, and strategies for improving their score. The second section has two full-length practice tests with an accompanying CD. There is also a removable booklet with test answer sheets to help learners understand mistakes.
- JLPT N1 Grammar Vocabulary Training: This extensive textbook contains over 18,000 vocabulary terms, along with a detailed analysis of words that have appeared on JLPT N1 with a high frequency. It’s divided into two sections. The first section contains five chapters of 1200 practice questions. The second section has five vocabulary tests that emulate JLPT N1. Like the last textbook, and answer key booklet is included to aid with practice.
- JLPT N1 Reading Thorough Training: This textbook includes three sections. The first section provides tips for good reading comprehension. The second section has five chapters full of reading passages that cover different types of reading questions. The third section contains two final reading practice tests that emulate JLPT N1. Also included is an answer booklet.
News Articles
Textbooks are an excellent learning source, but there are other options available as well. JLPT N1 has a heavy emphasis on comprehension of logic, points of view, and deciphering individual points of view within a day-to-day conversation. From casual tone to analytical study, individuals who take JLPT N1 must have a complete mastery of the Japanese language. An excellent way to train yourself in nuanced vocabulary and kanji is to read up on Japanese news.
Finding short articles to pick apart to analyze for comprehension is an excellent way to train your brain in recognizing and learning vocabulary. A recommended tip is to circle words that you don’t know as you go through each article. Even if most of the words are circled, try to understand the main idea of each passage.
At the end of each article, look up the terms you didn’t understand. After this, re-read the article. It gives you a chance to learn new words every day while attempting to comprehend the main ideas. With practice, you get faster and pick up a lot of vocabulary you’ll find on JLPT N1. Here is a list of native sources that you can refer to in your studies:
- NHK News Site: This useful site is a normal Japanese news site. It contains hundreds of news stories and is being added to every day. A simple browse will yield you many options to pick from. Every article covers terms with comprehension standards JLPT N1 is designed to test individuals in.
- Yahoo Japan: This is a handy alternative to the above option. It contains a multitude of articles that you can choose to aid in preparation for JLPT N1.
- Yomiuri Shimbun: This is another excellent choice. Along with editorials, this website includes serialized novels for practice comprehending stories and themes.
- Rocket News: Rocket News is unique in that it’s a blog that covers a multitude of fun and silly topics in Japan. They have an English site as well so that you can compare your understanding of each post and evaluate your knowledge.
Practice Tests
Perhaps one of the best ways to prepare for JLPT N1 is to take practice tests that emulate the exact conditions of the test. Keep in mind that the testing format is updated as the years go on, so make sure that the practice test you take is up to current JLPT N1 standards. There are three options that students have to choose from when selecting a practice test:
- Mock Tests: Mock tests contain all of the same sections and a number of questions that you’ll find on the real JLPT N1. They are perhaps the closest that you can get to the real test. Along with that, they come with suggestions and tips on how to score higher. Ask Publishing has two books (Volume 1and Volume 2) of two mock tests. They include explanations of the answers. Along with English, the explanations are also available in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
- Older JLPT N1 Tests: This is another excellent option for aspiring students. Japan Educational Exchanges and Services have released several older versions of JLPT N1. Keep in mind that older versions of the test follow different formats than the current test. Despite this, they still serve as an excellent resource.
- Free Practice Test: Along with older versions of JLPT N1, Japan Educational Exchanges and Services also offer free practice tests based on the current version of the real test. They aren’t full tests, as they only include two of each question, but they still provide students with an accurate idea of what to expect from the real thing.
No matter which method you choose for practicing, you should always do whatever you can to emulate the real testing conditions you’ll be under for JLPT N1. For example, keep in mind that the test is timed, and there are rules you must adhere to, such as staying in your seat and no eating or drinking. Keep distractions at a minimum.
If you opt to do the sample test, then make sure you’re adjusting the timing to account for the size of the test. Use a stopwatch or cell phone to time yourself, so that your focus can remain on the test. If the real JLPT N1 takes about 110 minutes to get through Language Knowledge, Grammar, and Reading, then you’ll want to estimate around 65 minutes in the sample test.
Spaced Repetition Systems
Since JLPT N1 covers about 10,000 vocabulary words, you’ll want to get started right away, digesting each word and committing it to knowledge. We’ve mentioned it before in this article, but it’s essential enough for us to say it again: practice makes perfect! A good way to learn robust quantities of vocabulary is to implement “Spaced Repetition Systems.”
What are Spaced Repetition Systems? They’re systems that enable you to retain vocabulary terms by reminding you of the word when you’re about to forget it. There’s’ desktop software and apps that are designed for this very purpose. You’ll want to find one that works for you and add it to your routine.
One of the most popular apps to aid you in this is called Anki. It’s mostly offline and has a desktop, iPhone, and android app. A benefit is that your progress can sync across all platforms, so no matter what device you’re using, your progress always transfers.
Another popular option for Spaced Repetition Systems is a website called Memrise.com. A neat advantage of this website is that users have the option to contribute mnemonics that will help you remember the words. It’s not as advanced as Anki, but numerous individuals with JLPT N1 certification have used one or the other.
When it comes to picking, it simply comes down to the student’s personal preference. Vocabulary drilling is going to form the base of your studies. It’s recommended that you start it before you do any other studying.
Conclusion
JLPT is the most known Japanese-language test in the world, and its N1 level is the most difficult. Non-native speakers who pass this test display a masterful command and understanding of the language and are granted special access to universities and jobs in Japan. Passing the test requires hours of study and an ability to use advanced Japanese-language vocabulary and grammar in actual, fluent communication.
Students aspiring to take JLPT N1 have a vast assortment of study guides and resources available to help them prepare. Finding a good routine and committing to it takes patience, but those who stick with it will pick up the language in time. If you’re planning on taking JLPT N1 in the future, we hope that the information provided in the article has been helpful, and we wish you the best of luck in your future studies!
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