N1 Grammar - Is Bunpro alone enough?

Bunpro
#1

Aiming to take N1 in December. I’m wondering about the “completeness” of the Bunpro N1 Grammar set. I notice that the number of items in the set is actually less than N2 (180 vs 213), which seems odd to me. My impression from people on the interwebs was that the jump to N1 is generally greater than the jump from N3 to N2 (which tracks with the number of Bunpro Vocab items per level, 1998 vs 2974).

Should I be looking for supplemental sources of grammar points (Kanzen Master, etc), or is Bunpro alone going to cover me? Anyone on here done the N1 and have thoughts on this?

2 Likes
#2

I just finished N4, so I don’t have extensive advice for higher levels yet. However, based on your comment, I recommend using additional resources to prepare for your test in December. This will help ensure you are well-equipped to complete it comfortably.

I believe you can do it! Good luck with your studies and your upcoming test.

2 Likes
#3

Very interesting thread. I’ve just completed the N2 part on Bunpro and I was wondering about this as well. I hope someone will share their N1 experience.

ところで, Youtubers KemushiChan and TokiniAndy have made interesting videos on how to tackle N1, but it’s always great to hear other people’s experiences.

2 Likes
#4

To pass the exams with quite high marks (upwards of 90%), Bunpro alone is defintely enough. To get 100%, that really depends on which year. There are occasionally still grammar points that show up on some of the exams (in several levels, not just N1) that we do not have on the site yet, or that we have on the site as vocab while other resources teach them as grammar.

You can see many of the older exams here and compare what we have already against the questions, but I very rarely see grammar points that aren’t already here.

Edit - The Jump from N2 to N1 is far greater in terms of vocab and kanji. Not so much grammar.

7 Likes
#5

Ok, good to know. Thanks!

2 Likes
#6

I passed N1 in December despite having studied only half of the TRY! N1 book, which is equivalent to about1/3 of the N1 grammar on bunpro. My marks in the grammar section were terrible but that didn’t matter because the pure grammar section isn’t worth so many points, certainly not comparative to the amount of time it takes to learn all the grammar!

Tbh the most challenging thing about the exam is the huge (and at times random) range of vocabulary it includes, and the speed at which you have to be able to read. I would recommed focusing on vocab at least as much if not more than grammar, (depending on your current strengths of course) and practising reading with a focus on increasing your speed of comprehension.

If you live in Japan and spend a lot of time talking to/listening to Japanese people, the listening section is quite easy. I think for people that don’t live in Japan, this section can be hard - particularly the short response type questions.

Having said all that, I am now working my through all the rest of the N1 grammar on bunpro and some of the grammar I’ve now learnt is very helpful in understanding books/articles that I read- and would have probably sped me up in the exam! Although I still can’t get my head around the difference between every grammar point that contains して… :sweat_smile:

3 Likes
#7

Great advice, thank you!

1 Like