Failed N3 again

Japanese
#1

I took N3 for the first time last December with a score of 90/180. I was so close so I decided to take it again this July and… Got a score of 93/180.

I’m feeling so discouraged and sad. I’ve been living in Japan for a few years so of course I will continue to study Japanese, but I feel I should be beyond this level by now. I don’t struggle with daily life and conversation here. I even started slowly introducing N2 content after the test because I was confident I passed.

Not sure what I should do now study wise. I really don’t want to take N3 again. I wonder if I should stop focusing so much on JLPT levels and just what I can use practically. But it’s hard when most of the study materials are based on the JLPT.

Any recommendations for what to do next? Or anything in/was in a similar situation?

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#2

Probably forget JLPT completely for a year and just consume japanese media that you enjoy. Do immersion for a year and I bet you would pass N2 no problems.

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#3

It’s pretty generic advice, but watch more anime and drama, read manga, LNs and VNs. Study what you need to know to enjoy yourself, you’ll fly past N2 before you know it.

A few hours a day is necessary to progress. Get a frequency dictionary and immediately add anything below 10k frequency to your reviews (only after having seen it in context in your media). Many of them wont be JLPT relevant, but you need to know them either way. You are learning the language after all. When you struggle to find new words to add, start adding everything below 15k and so on. Words at higher frequencies should also be added if you come across them often and struggle to remember them.

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#4

I don’t have any good advice, but just want to say that it’s totally understandable that you feel that way, I would be discouraged too!

Don’t give up tho! Tests are hard, and the fact that you keep beign close means that there is just a few of those questions that you are missing, and you did improve the score even if it’s a little. It might mean you improved a lot just that those things didnt appear as much on the test this time

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#5

There are lots of options but the practice tests on Bunpro are good, but I think the ones on Todaiinews are spot on (from my limited experience). If you pass those, I think they are a good indication that you are on the right track. Keep reviewing and study the JLPT prep books and you’ll get it.

That said, I think the other comments already made are really good. Focus on Japanese and don’t worry about the JLPT. I would remind you that the JLPT is a stupid test. I passed N2 and my Japanese is shiiiiiiiiii… very bad. I skipped N3 and went straight for N2 just because of where it was held in my area. But I studied just for the test and passed, I didn’t study Japanese… now look at me, I have a piece of paper that says I am 日本語上手, but in reality I am not at all… I struggle with the language all the time. Like every day…

Keep at it with the real Japanese and come back to JLPT if you need it later. Maybe straight to N2…

All the best!

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#6

There were answers on the N2 test I was sure of but didn’t know why… I knew the way the grammar was used so could pick out enough of the answers but didn’t understand the context… it is a stupid test…

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#7

Is there a particular area that is dragging your score down? If so, perhaps a more targeted study regime would help.

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#8

The first time I took the test my lowest area was grammar and vocab. This time it was my highest and my reading score went way down :disappointed: I don’t know what happened lol

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#9

It’s likely not due to a lack of knowledge, but an ability to recall that knowledge in the context of a test where time is a very limited resource and there’s psychological pressure involved. So, don’t worry too much about it. If you can function in daily life, that is far more important. Just build on your existing, solid foundation and you’ll inevitably improve from exposure and practice. And everyone learns at their own pace, so don’t feel discouraged either if you notice others achieving results quicker than you. I’m a beginner in Japanese (who can only speak English fluently), but this is what I’ve gathered from my multilingual friends.

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#10

Some people make the language learning more stressful than it needs to be, and that’s purely because they look at it as if they were in school (study something, then go through an exam and if you fail, it feels like punishment). Apart from some supplementary study, you can literally just consume any form of media you find entertaining personally. For some it’s even something like video games. Until you’re at a level where JLPT actually matters for practical purposes like finding a job (if that’s even your case), you don’t really need to worry about it.

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#11

Hello @LinguistPickle , your message resonates a lot.

I took N3 last December and got 30/22/36 > 88 points. I was a bit disppointed but I kenw my level was not good enough. I decided to take the July 26 test and put in place an intensive (and costly) program.
3 to 5 hours a day of self-studies from March to June, 2 hours per week with an online teacher specialized in JLPT. I fisnished 3 books (TRY, Kanzen Master) and did 4 mock tests in the exact same conditions (same time of the day, same time constraint) I passed all 4 with results betwwen 109 (lowest) and 145 points (best)
Listenning is really my strong point and reading the worst area. So I really practice, practice, practice.
Then the exam day, came, very hot day in Paris and no air conditioning in the room, quite painful.

And…amazing results, I failed again with 92 points (32/27/33)
I’m so frustrated. 4 months of intense work to get + 2 points in Kanji and Vocab, + 5 points in reading and worse, I lost 3 points in listening ! In the mocks tests, my listenning score were always between 40 and 50.

Right now, I’m lost. I will not try JLPT again.
I will focus on conversation and Intermediate level readings.

I really understand your feelings, I’m in the same boat.
What are your plans ?

9 Likes
#12

If you want to pass the test, buy all the sample tests you can, train yourself on those, study exclusively things related to the test, take the test, and you will pass.

If your main goal is to learn Japanese for something else, study things around that and forget about the test. You can still take it but don’t feel bad if you fail, that’s not your main goal anyways.

Good luck!

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#13

I failed it 5 or 6 times (i lost count lol). You’ll pass eventually like I did.

I’m working full time so I have limited energy to focus but, we’ll all make it

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#14

I’m at the very beginning of my Japanese journey, but from my experience learning other languages, I can say that you’re either learning a language or preparing for an exam - and, surprisingly, those are two very different things.

If my goal were to pass the exam, I’d find a teacher who specifically prepares students for this kind of exam and focus my training on it.

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#15

Fully accurate.

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#16

Do you need the JLPT at all? Since you say you’ve been living in Japan for a while, I guess an official certification isn’t necessary for you. If that’s the case, don’t take it.
Like others said, just consume whatever you like. You probably didn’t learn English by studying for an ESL exam either.

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#17

I think your way ahead than you realize and if your easily having full conversations with no struggle at all, I would say you have achieved fluency in Japanese. Granted I don’t how well you write or kanjis and other things but you should be proud of your journey so far. There’s people who pass N1 and they can’t speak or sometimes even write. Test Taking is a different skill and maybe get JPLT test taking books, hire a test taking tutor, and/or do mock exams. It’s tough but if your easily speaking and understanding, that’s shows you are doing it right.

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#18

I recommend you continue adding “N2 content” to your reading list. Even beyond that. Start reading books with a pop-up dictionary. Those are beyond any level but can be read with reference materials by someone at your level. The exam is not a prerequisite for your own engagement with the language.

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#19

Hi. I don’t want to derail your thread, but I just wanted to ask if you took any of the practice tests on Bunpro and how you did. I just signed up to take the N3 in December and I’m super duper worried since I only started dedicated grammar/vocab practice last week… :sweat_smile: I’m like spooked out and I want to know what everyone did to prepare. I took a practice test a few months ago, answered based on “that looks OK but IDK why” vibes, and got 80%, but I’m not sure if that’s enough.

In any case, for advice, I agree with just adding N2-level stuff to your study rotation to get those vibes. I think the only reason I’ve made it so far is because I “read” (translate or guess at) a bunch of novels that are classified as well above my level in Natively. Also, just go to the movie theater or watch TV and watch stuff that’s above your level (without subtitles). I watched Godilla -1.0 on its release date, for example, and then twice more before I watched it with any English subtitles. I swear if you have enough visual context or background knowledge, you can even understand the plan against a giant monster without knowing every single word.

But yeah, you’re probably more advanced than me if you can get through a conversation without flopping like a fish, so don’t listen to my advice lol

I’ve also been living in Japan for a while, and I don’t need the certification, but it’s the first step in being able to apply for a pay raise, so it would be reeeeally nice to pass. Maybe they’re in a similar situation. :woman_shrugging:

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#20

Wow, I’m sorry to hear that but relieved to hear we’re definitely in the same boat! While no time studying is “wasted” there’s so much time and money invested in it. I also finished about 3 N3 textbooks, and felt I could understand and recall most of it :sob:

As of now, I’ll just continue studying as I have been and try to enjoy it more. I’ll take at least a year break from the JLPT. Maybe come back around to it when I feel confident.

But if you’re planning on coming to Japan, I’d say with that high of a listening score you’ll be fine!