Hello Japanese learner.
Maybe you are not sure what level should take
And what difference between N5 and N4 .
I will clarify it for you and make you more confidence in your study Path.
What difference between JLPT n5 and n4
This question is the most one of common question for Japanese learner.
According to Japan Foundation site : https://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/levelsummary.html
The expectation of N4 and N5 are as below :
N4 : The ability to understand basic Japanese
Kanji : 300 (included N5 Kanji )
Vocabulary : 1500 (included N5 Vocabulary )
Reading : able to read and understand passages on familiar daily topic written in basic Vocabulary and Kanji
Listening : Understand conversations in daily life and follow their contents , that are spoken slowly.
N5 : The ability to understand Some basic Japanese
Kanji : 100
Vocabulary : 800
Reading : able to read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana,katakana and basic Kanji.
Listening : Understand conversations in daily life and Classroom situations and short conversations spoken slowly.
Which Level Should i take JLPT n5 or n4
A lot of my student asked me about Which level they should take ?
every times I couldn’t give them the direct answer but I asked them following questions instead.
1.How many Kanji Do you Know
If you want to know what the certain level you are I would use this method to measure my student level. If you say I know about 300 Kanji , Let’s go to take N4 . do more practice test, You will pass for sure. But if you say I’m not sure
but may be 100 Kanji. I will lead them to next question.
2.What is your goal to take the test
I used JLPT N1 certification to apply the Jobs. It means a lot for me. Because In my country , If you have N1 Certification You can apply for the jobs that paid 5 times above basic average salary.
If your goal is to apply for Japanese university or the Jobs , Let ‘s try to pass follow their requirements. But if you goal is only motivation or your skill test, I would lead you to next question.
3.What Level do you have or What Level did you ever take before.
In my experience, I don’t have JLPT N3 Certification but I took JLPT N2 test and failed twice. What I learnt , I realized how far my current Level and my goal was to pass JLPT N2 I have to study what I need to know about JLPT N2.
After 1 year of my hard study I passed JLPT N2. Then I didn’t to stop because I had created momentum, after 6 month of achievement of JLPT N2 , I passed JLPT N1 .
If you said you don’t have any experience in the test. I would lead you to next question .
4.Did you try a JLPT practices test ?
There are many Good website that provide practices test and free stuff.
For Listening test I would search on Youtube Channel. They provide many material just to it and check the answer.
My advice for you
- Determine your goal for JLPT
Why goal setting is important for your Japanese learning.
Something I see often, Japanese learner don’t have any long term vision. This make them no specific plan on how to get better in Japanese. If you want only pass the test, If you pass it become extreme motivation. But If you fail , You may give up too early.
You have to commit a lot of hard study, time in your life. Let make vision if you pass, Will your life become better, richer.
2.Accept your weak point and Try higher level
If you want to make step forward you have to accept that you are not good enough .
How far from Your future vision compare with present. I think JLPT is one of challenge in my life. But If you goals are not high enough , If even you win , in fact you are not stronger.
3.Create Your learning in daily routine
This is my daily routine when I was university student.
I wake up at 7.00 am and my class finish around 3.00 PM.
After 3.00 This is my time for JLPT.
I started with Kanji practice , I was writing all Kanji in paper to memorize ON-YOMI and KUN YO-MI for 1.30 hours. Then Take a break, and start with reading, listening until 0.00 AM.
I repeated this routine for 2 years.
4.Patient long enough to create momentum
Most of Japanese learner failed because they are not Patient long enough to see the result.
To patient long enough you have to have clear Vision for Learning Japanese.
JLPT N5 has 100 Kanji , N4 has 300 kanji to memorize. I am not genius enough to memorize all of them in one day. But I have Confident in my afford to memorize them in Day 100.
I think It is long enough for today and I would be happy If you can decide which Level.
See you Next Time.
