Maybe you are moving to Japan or looking to practice medicine there. Perhaps you are looking to move up the ranks of your company that does significant business with Japanese companies. Whatever the reason, you’ve been told that you should take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Like any test, you don’t want to take it unprepared.
What do you need to know for the JLPT N2? There are many things you should know before you take the JLPT N2 test, including how the test is broken up and what each section is attempting to test. The test has three major sections, Language Knowledge, Reading, and Listening. There are many resources out there that can help you understand what each section measures, what they will be asking, and how you should answer.
Reading this comprehensive guide to the JLPT N2 will provide you with everything you need to know before test day. From why you should take the test, to where to get the resources you will need to be successful. Hopefully, any questions you have will be answered after reading, and you will have all the tools you need to be successful.
What Is The JLPT?
The JLPT is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. It allows for non-native residents of Japan to prove that they are proficient enough in the language to hold certain positions, especially in the medical field, and to go on to advanced education.
The JLPT stresses not only knowledge of Japanese-language vocabulary and grammar, but also one’s ability to use that knowledge in actual communication. The philosophy of the test is that for someone to perform various everyday tasks that require language, you need to not only have knowledge of the language but also know how to use it.
Because of this, the JLPT uses three elements to measure comprehensive Japanese-language communicative competence:
- Language knowledge to measure vocabulary and grammar knowledge
- Reading to test comprehension
- Listening to measure your ability to use that knowledge in everyday communication.
The JLPT does not directly test or measure one’s ability to speak or write the language.
How Is The JLPT Scored?
Since there is almost no way to ensure that every proficiency test is the exact same difficulty, raw scores on the test do not show how proficient in the language a person may be. It is possible that two people with the same level of proficiency would receive different raw scores because one took a more difficult test than the other. Because of this, JLPT scores with a scaled score.
Scaled scores allow for evaluation of language proficiency independent of the exam’s difficulty and instead on a standard scale. The scoring of the test is based on a statistical test theory called Item Response Theory.
In this theory, scores are determined mathematically based on answering patterns. Depending on your answering pattern, you are placed somewhere on a scale of 0-60. Therefore, scaled scores can be identical for two examinees even when the number of questions they correctly answer or their answering pattern are not the same.
Each section is worth 60 points. You have to get at least 19 points in each section and 100 total points to pass the test. This means that if you are not particularly strong in one area, you still have a good chance of passing. As long as you score 19 points in your weak area, you can use your strong areas to hit the 100 point mark.
Why Take The JLPT N2?
The first thing you should ask yourself is, should I be taking this test? The N2 is the second hardest level of Japanese language proficiency tests. N5 and N4 measure a level of understanding of the Japanese that one would learn in a class. N1 and N2 measure a level of understanding of Japanese that one would use in everyday life.
If you have more than a textbook understanding of Japanese and are able to use the language in conversation, than you may be ready for the N2.
There are many benefits to having an N2 certificate. Passing the JLPT N2 could help your career or make a move to Japan smoother. Here are some of the things that having an N2 certificate could do for you:
- Points For Preferential Treatment For Immigration: If you pass JLPT N2, you receive 10 points under the government’s “Point-based Preferential Immigration Treatment System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals.” People who have a total of 70 points or higher receive preferential treatment at immigration.
- A Test Subject is Waved On Accreditation Exam For Completion Of Junior High School Level Education: The Japanese-language test is waved for examinees of foreign citizenship who pass JLPT N2.
- Allow You To Be An Overseas Nurse Candidate: Under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, a JLPT certificate is required for Indonesian, Filipino (approximately Level N5 or higher), and Vietnamese (Level N3 or higher) nurse or caregiver candidates who visit Japan.
- Getting A Job Or Promotion: If you work in a field that does business with Japan or you are trying to get a position with a Japanese company, N2 is often the benchmark for business-level communication. An N2 certificate may be the difference between you getting a job or not.
Differences Between The N2 and The N3
You may have already taken the N3 and are wondering what to expect on the tougher N2, or you may be trying to gauge which test you should be taking. Either way, the differences between the N2 and the easier N3 are important to know and understand.
- Less Furigana: Furigana is a Japanese reading aid, consisting of smaller kana, or syllabic characters, printed next to a kanji or other character to indicate its pronunciation. While furigana is present on the N3, there are next to none on the N2.
- More Kanji and Vocab: To move from N3 to N2, you need to learn 350 more kanji for a total of about 1,000 and about 2,500 vocabulary words. If you have been moving up the Japanese proficiency tests, this is similar to what you need to know to go from N4 to N3.
- Less Straightforward Reading Questions: The style of the questions are pretty much the same as in the N3, but the N2 requires a higher level of interpretation and expects you to understand how the parts of the text relate to each other.
- Audio Is More Complex: The listening section uses ordinary conversations, like N3, but also includes things like news reports.
What Is On The JLPT N2?
As mentioned before, the N2 is the second-highest level of Japanese language proficiency and measures a level of understanding in everyday conversational situations. The test is broken up into three parts, Grammar/Vocabulary, Reading, and Listening. Let’s take a closer look at each section and what material is tested.
Grammar/Vocabulary
The grammar and vocabulary section checks to see how well you understand the grammar of the language and the breadth of your vocabulary. The sections have nine test items that it measures, six vocabularies, and three grammar. Those test items are:
- Kanji Reading: These questions test the reading of words written in kanji. You will need to know about 1,000 kanji, which is the equivalent of a native Japanese speaker entering middle school.
- Orthography: This tests kanji for words written in hiragana.
- Word Formation: These items are testing the knowledge of derivative and compound words.
- Contextually-defined Expressions: These questions test your knowledge of words defined by context.
- Paraphrases: These items are looking to test your knowledge of words and expressions with similar meanings.
- Usage: These questions test word use in sentences.
- Sentential Grammar 1: This group of items tests judgment on grammar formats that suit sentences.
- Sentential Grammar 2: These questions test sentence composition that is syntactically accurate and makes sense.
- Text Grammar: These test judgment on sentence use for text flow.
Reading
The reading section checks to see how well you are able to read materials written clearly on a variety of topics, like articles in newspapers and magazines, and how well you are able to comprehend their meaning. It also checks to see if you can follow narratives as well as understand the writer’s intent. The reading section has five test items it measures. Those test items are:
- Comprehension (short passage): These items test understanding of content by reading text of about 200 characters, such as descriptions and directions regarding various topics, including everyday life and work.
- Comprehension (mid-size passages): These questions measure your understanding of causal relations, reasons, outline, or author’s ideas by reading text around 500 characters long, such as relatively easy reviews, commentary, and essays.
- Integrated Comprehension: This tests understanding through comparison and integration by reading relatively easy multiple texts of about 600 combined characters.
- Thematic Comprehension: These questions test your ability to grasp overall intended points and ideas by reading 900 characters texts, such as reviews with relatively clear logical development.
- Information Retrieval: These items test your ability to retrieve necessary information from materials like advertisements, brochures, magazines, and business documents.
Listening
The listening section tests to see how well you are able to comprehend oral materials such as conversations and news reports. You should be able to comprehend at nearly natural speed in everyday situations and be able to follow the ideas and comprehend their contents.
You should able be able to understand the relationships among the people involved and the essential points being made. The listening section has five items that it measures. Those items are…
- Task-Based Comprehension: These items test understanding of contents by listening to coherent text. They test your ability to extract the necessary information to resolve specific issues and understand the appropriate action to take
- Comprehension of Key Points: These test understanding of contents by listening to coherent text. They test your ability to narrow down points based on the necessary information presented in advance.
- Comprehension of General Outline: These items test understanding of contents by listening to coherent text. They test your understanding of a speaker’s intention and ideas from the overall text.
- Quick Response: These questions test your ability to select appropriate responses by listening to short utterances such as questions.
- Integrated Listening Comprehension: These test your understanding of contents through comparison and integration of multiple information sources by listening to relatively long texts.
How Do You Prepare For Taking The N2?
Now that you know how the test is scored and what is in each section of the test it is time to start studying. But where do you begin? There are many ways to get ready for the big test day. Most require a ton of work on your part, but with the right resources and effort, test day will be a sinch.
Here are some resources perfect for getting you prepared for the N2…
Text Books
The JLPT is a test of language that is learned in Japanese schools, so what better way to get the training you need to pass the test than from a textbook? There are a number of books out there that can help you learn the needed material, here are a few suggestions:
- Shinkanzen (or New Kanzen) Master N2 Series: This is one of the most popular and comprehensive textbooks for the N2. There are a series of five books for each section of the test. That sounds like a lot of books to go through, but most experts will tell you to not bother with the kanji and vocabulary books.
If you use the other books, you will pick up the needed kanji and vocabulary. The Listening book is also considered non-essential by some. They claim it is more effective to take mock tests and listen to Japanese media. There is a lack of English text in these books which forces you to grapple with all the implied meanings, subtle nuances, and analogies brought up.
- Nihongo Sou Matome: This is another series that comes in five book sets based on the test level. What makes this set different from the Shinkanzen Master is the way that it is structured. The books are divided into days of the week so you can study a little bit each day.
The first six days are a couple of grammar points, a small list of vocabulary words, short readings or listening exercises and a small quiz to help you remember them. The 7th day is a quiz that tests the previous 6 days’ content. Also, unlike Shinkanzen Master, there is English translation to help you understand each concept.
- Pattern Betsu Tettei N2: Unlike most JLPT textbooks, this book covers all three sections of the JLPT in one book. The coverage of the reading section is a step below Shinkanzen Master, but Pattern Betsu does a great job ramping up the listening section by increasing the speed from its N3 book.
Really, this book is just a series of quizzes set up exactly like the test. If you are someone who needs to drill yourself to learn new material or prepare for tests, then this is the book for you. Also, since it covers all three sections, if you have limited funds and are looking to improve your all-around score, this is a great resource.
- N2 Tango 2500: Also known as the red sheet, this is a great resource for learning vocabulary for the N2. The book has 2500 vocab words that you should know when taking the N2. Some people also suggest buying and studying the N1 book because there is no standardization on the test, so sometimes you get N3 vocabulary, and sometimes you get N1 vocab.
- Japanese Middle School Workbooks: Japanese bookstores in America, like Sanseido, Kinokuniya, and Book Off carry workbooks that are used in Japanese Middle Schools, or they can easily order some for you. Since the kanji on the N2 are what a student entering middle school should know, these books are excellent ways to practice for the N2.
- Japanese Newspapers: What better way to learn the languages than trying to read the country’s papers. Since a portion of the reading section of the N2 is mock news reports, newspapers are a perfect way to practice for the test.
Asahi Shimbun is a great example of a Japanese paper that you can get online. It can get a little frustrating to try to read though if you are just starting your N2 studies, so maybe check out the children’s version they have.
- Novels and Comics: Reading short novels and comics that were written for children is an excellent way to build vocabulary and to learn the many nuanced grammar differences. They will help you gain experience with usage of the language.
Online Resources
There are many resources online that you can use to help prepare for the N2 as well. The internet has resources that will help any type of learner. Here are some sites that you can look to for help:
- JapaneseTest4You: This site has a ton of materials for you to go over and answer. It works as a great alternative when you start to grow tired of textbooks. There is also a tab that links to common N2 grammar patterns, an invaluable resource as you move towards test day.
- Nihongo no Mori: This is a YouTube channel that has playlists tailored to each level of the test. This is a great resource if you are more of a visual learner, and things like textbooks do not help you much.
- Japanesepod101.com: This is a website that uses podcasts to teach the Japanese language, but there is so much more on the site other than podcasts. The site has grown to include video lessons, grammar lessons, quizzes, flashcards, printables, and the chance to interact with teachers and other students. An account and some features are free, but there is a premium option that opens up the full site.
- Maggiesensei.com: This is a fun blog that helps you learn Japanese grammar from a French Bulldog named Maggie. The site focuses on more conversational Japanese, but if you are having trouble with grammar, it is a good resource.
- Vocabulary Decks: There are a number of online vocabulary decks that can help you memorize tons of vocabulary words. Memrise Beta and Anki are two great places to go to find a deck to help you memorize your vocabulary.
- Japanese Language Schools: For some people, the best way to learn a new language is by another person. Luckily for those types of learners, there are many online Japanese Language schools where you can learn Japanese from another person. Kanji and vocabulary may be easy to learn out of a book, but for many, there is a need to hear grammar and Keigo, formal language, to truly learn it. Schools like Udemy and Coto Academy give you this opportunity wherever in the world you may be trying to learn the language.
- Online Articles For Kids: There are many online sites that provide news type articles tailored to children. These types of articles are perfect for a learning language speaker. Here are some of the sites you should check out while you get ready to take the N2…
- Gakken Kids Net: This is an educational website that uses Q&A style articles. The articles are easy to read, and the questions are great for checking your understanding of the text.
- Yahoo! Japan Kids: This site has a tone of free articles divided by grade. Remember, N2 vocabulary is similar to students entering Middle School, so you want to be looking for articles in those grades.
- NHK For School: This site contains many videos on a wide variety of topics. They are all arranged by grade level, so again, make sure you are watching the middle school videos. This is a great resource to use while studying for the listening section of the N2. The site also has grade-based quizzes.
Test Prep Advice
There are many ways to get ready for the big day. Now that you have a bunch of resources at the ready, here are some bits of advice on how to tackle the huge ordeal of studying for the N2…
- Take Some Mock Tests With Pencil and Paper: There are a lot of online mock tests that are worth taking, but they don’t give you the feel of filling in the circles. Filling in the circles takes time, and taking the mock test on paper gives you a better idea of what test day will look and feel like.
- Don’t Just Stick to N2 Material: Just because you have mastered the lower test levels does not mean you can throw that knowledge out the window. There is a strong possibility that there will be questions from the lower tests. Don’t miss out on those points because you only focused on new N2 kanji and vocabulary.
- Don’t Be Embarrassed To Read Out Loud: While studying, that is, be respectful to others and keep quiet on test day. Saying and hearing the words is going to help you remember more of the material. The more senses you engage when going over the material, the more it will imprint in your mind.
- Use Kanji and Grammar Checklists: There are many checklists on the internet that will help you make sure that you have covered all the material that you need to get a passing score. The JLPT section of Tanos.co.uk has an excellent list for you to use.
- Read, Listen, Talk As Much As Possible: The more you engage with the language, the better you will learn it. Don’t spend all your time trying to memorize kanji and reading textbooks. Read Japanese novels and newspapers, listen to Japanese news reports, watch Japanese television shows, and if you are lucky enough to know someone who speaks the language, talk with them in Japanese as much as possible.
JLPT N2 Test Day
When you finally get to the big day, try to have fun. There are going to be some nerves, but the lighter you can make the mood, the more relaxed you will be. Here are some last thoughts and pointers for test day:
- Familiarize Yourself WIth The Test Site: If you are close enough try to get in a dry run to the test site. Knowing where you are going and being familiar with the building is going to relieve some stress that has nothing to do with the test but will ratchet up your nerves.
- Bring A Watch: Some test sites don’t have clocks. You don’t want to be sitting there stressing about how much time you have left. You are probably going to be stressed about time enough; there is no need to add more pressure.
- Answer The Language Knowledge Questions First: There is plenty of debate on how to tackle the first part of the N2. Time is of the essence. Some people suggest starting with the reading, but you will be reading a page of material only to answer two questions. Knock out the Language Knowledge questions first and use the remaining time to get thought as many reading questions as possible. It is a better use of your time.
The most important thing to remember is to have fun! Learning a new language should be fun and exciting. Don’t let the test take away the enjoyment of being able to communicate with people in their language. Good luck!
