Skipping July JLPT session due to Heatwave in Europe

Japanese
#1

Maybe I’m finding excuses, maybe I’m not ready enough.
But there is no way that I’m sitting in a classroom for 5 hours with no A/C on the 5th of July knowing it’s gonna be around 36 degrees celcius and will feel like 38-39… I did a lot of mock tests during the current heatwave and I’m getting dizzy after 2 hours, and can barely focus enough to store all the info in my brain’s RAM during the listening part…

Last year N3 was already bad with around 28 degrees and no AC. INALCO what are you waiting for to get AC in your classrooms ?? :cold_sweat::cold_sweat:

This year I’m sitting on the winter session, I will have a massive FOMO and 100e wasted in an empty seat but don’t want to pass the JLPT in suboptimal conditions

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#2

I understand, it’s 39-40 Celsius degrees here.

Maybe check the forecast, a bit of relief is forecasted for Europe, the heat dome will shift away.

You can decide even on the day if you would show up or not.

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#3

You could bring one of these and have it buzzing in everyone’s ear while they’re taking the exam.

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#4

DANG that must be miserable… yeah I would skip it too in that case

#5

I asked if I could bring a fan (even a portable one) they said NO :sob::sob::sob:

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#6

On the other hand, “I went to JLPT in 40 C and passed out” is a funnier story to share with friends than “I stayed home and had an icecream” ^^

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#7
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#8

I would honestly ask them for a refund if they cannot provide a room that is in a temperature range that is acceptable. Indoor working at that high temperatures is dangerous. Ask them if the as an alternative would take over liability for any adverse effects and treatments needed based on their negligence…

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#9

If you are not used to such heat, 5 hours in it without adequate cooling or hydration sounds potentially dangerous, especially if it’s also humid. I say take care of your health first!

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#10

I remember taking the DELE exam in the summer of 2020, in the middle of the COVID. Another hot July day, in a classroom with nice big windows, which could not be opened fully of course (to prevent people jumping out, I suppose), wearing masks.

Towards the end my problem was not the exam but simply not to melt and have enough oxygen for my brain.

#11

Drink lots of water and just try, then you can sue them if you get heatstroke. :wink:

I used to get dragged to school with no aircon in 45C, where there’s a will there’s a way… even if it’s miserable. I think unless you have a health issue, are of an age that makes this sort of heat prohibitive, or have literally never experienced this sort of heat before, you should try.

Freeze a bottle of water before you leave, the ice block if it’s big enough should keep it cold for a while. You can place this ice bottle on your neck too, right where you can feel your pulse, to help take your body temperature down. If it’s not humid also splash some water on your face and let it evaporate during the break.

#12

Tbf it’s one thing if you’re used to it and have been able to acclimatise, and it’s another if it’s a heatwave that you haven’t acclimatised to at all

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#13

Love this guy, each and every one of his words are golden and his style is unforgettable.

Edit: and now off to do more JLPT mock tests.

#14

I did my graduation in a crammed hall in a suit + uni robe in the UK heat wave of December 2022 (39 or 40 degrees that day), granted it was only 1.5-2 hours and not half a day of tests lmao.

I think they will take precautions given how hot things have been lately. If not, then they will probably let you freeze in the exam hall in winter too :stuck_out_tongue: good luck!

#15

I’m so relieved I chose to bypass N3 in July and try in December instead aha, one cramed 40°C room in Paris would have been hell. It really doesn’t sound fun and can actually be dangerous for your health, I think waiting for a winter session is perfectly reasonable if that’s what you end up doing

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#16

Supposedly the heatwave should end before the weekend for a large part if not all of Europe. Depending on where you are taking the test there might be temperatures below 30°C.

Still hot, but way better compared to last week.

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#17

Yeah it sucks that the rules are so strict about helping us in warm weather but I’m not going to give up on a years work, I am in constant pain, so I’m already studying in very hard mode, heat just increases the difficulty more.

Best of luck to everyone taking the test, sorry to hear that you’re stepping away OP.

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#18

It’s up to you but I would skip it. Last year I took N2 exam and it wasn’t as bad as this year but none of the test rooms had AC and I was sweating like crazy. Water helped a bit but not a lot. During the listening part the sun was at such an angle that it was constantly blasting my face with heat. I couldn’t focus to the point that I didn’t listen to audio at times, I was just thinking how much I want to leave the test room and hide in some shade, and overall I was missing 5 points and didn’t pass the exam. And after the exam my face hurt for several hours so yeah, the sun was really bad. I’m never taking the exam in summer again. If you know you’re not feeling well during summer heat and it affects your focus, there’s no need to force yourself.

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#19

Hey @GudGud07 Seems we are supposed to join the same test center in Paris this Sunday :hot_face:
I’m also a bit concerned about the heat, should be around 32c outside, but I have no choice I already paid for my train and hotel room (coming from south of France) and it would a big waste of money. I’m taking N3 so it will be 2h20 of exams + breaks and waiting time, I really want to pass so I’ll take my chance. What level are you enrolled in ?

#20

You were right @GudGud07 , it was extremely hot in the Inalco’s rooms. Really a shame. I really struggled and was really about to give up. The reading section was painful and I think I failed again. What a shame. I’m done with JLPT. I will focus on conversation and daily reading. Good luck for December !!