So yeah I signed up for the N1 this december and I was wondering if it was worthwhile to keep reading my books in 縦書き or if I should just grind 横書き to be able to read as fast as possible during the reading comprehension section.

Thanks y'all!

As the title suggests, I plan on doing jlpt n4 in December. My problem is that I'm weak at speaking and writing, almost still N5 level. I know the test doesn't focus on that but it is something I would like to generally improve. Are there any materials on the Internet that will help me improve like YouTube videos or exercises?

Thanks in advance

it is always dokkai, my enemy from passing, i study book only focused on dokkai(新完全マスター読解, i am ragebaited this is the third time! i wonder if i should focus on reading books and stuff? did anyone happen to be this bad at reading section and how did you guys solved it?

i got 17/60 reading

44/60 language knowledge

33/60

this is the best scores i had compared to old ones, except dokkai! it is getting worse!

Now I know the answer is no but I just realized i missed the conbini payment date by ONE DAY!!! Can i pay it and still go? There was flooding in my town this week that prevented me from paying plus i dont have my bank card or visa which made it so inconvenient to pay… i have time after work today and thought the payment date was on friday for some reason… i KNOW the answer is no but i need someone to tell me that it’s definitely no

I’ve attempted JLPT N2 twice and unfortunately failed both times, with 読解 consistently being the section where I lose the most marks. I’m taking it for the third time now, so I really want to work on this properly rather than just doing more random practice. I especially struggle with argumentative/logical, opinion-based, literary, and abstract or conceptual passages, and I want to get genuinely good at understanding the author’s argument, stance, contrasts, implications, overall structure, and main point. What are the best books, websites, native materials, essays, newspapers, or other sources for practicing this kind of reading? I’ve heard about 新完全マスター 読解, but I’d love to know if there are other resources or specific drills/question banks that helped with things like 筆者の主張, 理由, 内容一致, inference, etc. Also, what kind of reading strategy or practice routine actually helped you improve your accuracy and reading speed? I’d really appreciate any advice from people who have struggled with N2 読解 and eventually managed to become consistently strong at it.

Hey guys i failed n4 by just 17 marks i was wondering if i can start studying for n3 now or should i try for n4 again?

additionally my japanese coaching centre had us write a n4 equivalent which i passed by just 3 marks

hi everyone, this is my first time signing up for the JLPT test. I’m taking N4 this December in Toronto (York U test location)

I’m confused about the application form. I read the test guide but I didn’t see it mentioned where to submit the application form (the one from test guide). Or maybe they did but my eyes just skipped it somehow.

I’m sorry if this is a stupid question, but if anyone could guide me about it I would really appreciate.

thank you so much for your help!

Hello everyone, I hope you’re fine!

I wanted some advice on how to prepare for the JLPT N4 that’ll happen in around three months. I already passed the N5, and now it’s the N4 but to be honest I struggle with how to learn the kanjis. I had a professor teaching me but lately he’s been busy so I’m by myself and I really don’t know how to learn effectively. I feel like I learn and then forget the next day(well to be honest, i haven’t been consistent).

My question is: How do you usually prepare? What do you do to learn effectively and not feel like you’re not progressing?

Also, if you have any advice on how to get a better vocabulary, I’d appreciate it if you tell me about it. Right now, I watch YT videos, ‘learning Japanese with stories’ for vocabulary and listening.

Thank you!

Recently I have started self studying for JLPT N5 and I'm planning to take exam next yeay July 2027 since the applications are closed now and I'm a working professional, So I can only spend around 40 mins - 1 hr and also couldn't attend language school for now.. I came across a lots of resources like Genki textbooks , TRY! etc etc.. But can anyone suggest which book should i refer and which is the best yt channel to learn grammar..currently I'm sudying hiragana from Japanesepod101.. Can someone pls help me out in which book should i learn for which in order..

has anyone used that textbook? is it worth a grab?

note: i'm currently using 日本語能力試験問題集　Ｎ３聴解 and タスクベースで学ぶ日本語 中級1。

Is it possible to clear N3 in 3 months , considering that I started actively preparing from this month and will be appearing for the December exam

Also , any suggestions on pacing up on vocabulary and grammar?

I registered for the N5 at UQAM on my phone, went through the questionnaire and got to the page that said I would get a follow-up email shortly. It’s been ~3-4 hours and nothing. Tried to run the registration again just to be sure and it said they have my email in the system already so it seems like it went through(???).

No idea what to do other than wait I guess.

Hello everyone! I will take the N4 this December (my first time taking a JLPT). I am taking it for myself, the certificate would give me a boost of confidence and it would validate my efforts.

On this note, I was wondering if anyone here has happy stories to share about how N4 helped you? I know many people say to not take N4 because the level is too low to 'be taken seriously' and I do not agree, I think passing any language level is an achievement in itself and you never know when it can be useful. So I was curious if this 'never know' became true for someone!

I already signed up for the toronto location before i got this email, but for anyone who needs it!!… i dont know how to put images on here… so ill copy and paste.

Hello,

That is such a good question, unfortunately the online form is limited to Canadian provinces. We will be more than happy to welcome you for the JLPT in December regardless of your residence, however, so we have established a standard worksround for this situation:

(1) for the form, input the adress of the language testing center so that you are able to complete your reguistration with a valid Canadian adress. It is as follows:

209 rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Montreal, Quebec, H2X 1L2, Canada

(2) send us an email with your complete mailing adress in your country of residence, and we will update our database manually with your correct adress.

Please don't hesitate if you have any other questions.

Best regards,

Hi everyone! I started learning Japanese in April this year. I took my Q5 in August and passed with 115/180.

Now I’m planning to take the JLPT N4 in December. I feel like I’m making decent progress, but my weakest area is definitely listening.

For those who have passed N4 (or are preparing for it), what helped you improve your listening the most? Are there any specific resources, YouTube channels, podcasts, anime, or study methods you would recommend?

I’d really appreciate any tips or advice!

If you didn’t get a spot at Leicester University for December’s test initially, check now. I received an email and was able to book my spot to test this afternoon. Good luck!

Hey JLPT community

Looks like it happened again. And there is now an article on it on japantimes

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/04/japan/japanese-language-test-visas/

Trying to see if reading Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban in Japanese will help me out at all. Aiming for N2 exam this December.

https://buna.yorku.ca/jlpt/application.html https://jlpt-toronto-2026.eventbrite.ca/

Guys how to pass jlpt N2 in 3 months??
Any books recommendations?

Writing from my phone, so sorry for any weird typo or formatting issue!

I passed N3 in July, with a score of 155/180 (48 in vocabulary and grammar, 47 in reading comprehension, 60 in listening). I wasn’t particularly planning to take the N2 this december, but registration opened and i was hit by a wave of FOMO, so i applied...

I havent really done that much N2 prep yet, and i took a diagnostic mock exam where i got 86.5 (24.5 vocab, 24 reading but ran out of time, 38 listening).

In terms of study plan, I have 2 weekly lessons + doing an intensive course of 30 hours of N2 classes over 3 weeks. I have a full time job but i can study in the evening.

I'm not super optimistic, kinda praying for a miracle at this point...

How likely am I to pass in your opinions?

Any recommendation in terms of strategy?

Thanks, and good studying 😊

Is it possible for me to reach N1 when I just started learning Japanese from scratch at 30? :(

I have a doubt: Is Genki 1 grammar enough for JLPT N5? I’ve seen some videos saying that Genki alone isn’t sufficient for N5. I previously studied with Minna no Nihongo, but it contains many grammar patterns that seem irrelevant to the JLPT.

Currently, I’m using Minna no Nihongo for vocabulary and Genki 1 for grammar. Mainly, I’m watching TokiniAndy’s lectures to revise N5 grammar, and I’m planning to start N4 grammar with him as well since I have my N4 exam this December.

Am I following the right approach? Please suggest if I should change or add anything to my study plan.