Hi, guys! I have been self studying Japanese for almost 18 months, but my progress is really really slow. I was thinking maybe I should set a target for myself, in that way I will push myself more and maybe learn faster. So, I would like to know, is there anyone who has taken JLPT Level 5 and could direct me on how much I need to know/learn before I step into the exam? I know there are a lot of resources online, and probably too much to the point that I don't know where to look.
Any comments are welcomed!
I took N5 in 2010. I used words list and a book called 実力アップ！《入門総まとめ》日本語能力試験４級. (４級=N5) It's a good book but it's old and now there's the N series. You can search by typing: 実力アップ！日本語能力試験N5読む(文字・語彙・文法). I think it's not difficult to pass because you studied for a year and half and still have enough time to study more. Don't forget to practise the listening questions a lot.
Thanks for the advice!
The current website that I used for my Japanese study seems to concentrate more on conversational Japanese. They have podcast where the instructors will read and explain the content in each lesson, but I don't think it's suitable if I were to use the website as my primary source to study for JLPT. And even after one and a half year of study, my level is still at beginner stage.
I did try the test on the JLPT official website, and I think I only answered a few question correctly. Sigh..
Use the practice tests! I did that test three times (2003, 2004, 2005) and I worked my way through 4 or 5 practice tests for each level. I was working at a language school and we had a library of all the old tests. I passed Level 3 (back when there were only 4 levels) in 2005 ... and I used the practice tests. I had a strong feeling I owuld pass because I had been doing timed practice tests leading up to the exam and I was passing them, so ... that's why I make this suggestion -- esp to know which kanji will appear on the test, and the types of questions. My highest score was in listening but I was living in Japan at the time, so the listening part was the easiest. The KANJI and reading comprehension was hard -- but having done the practice tests enabled me to pass. Maybe you have an advantage over me if you have some familiarity with characters -- for me, that whole concept (idea / meaning unit as a pictogram) took some getting used to.
