Usefulness of JLPT N1 Grammar

Bunpro
#1

I was wondering if anyone had some insight on the usefulness of learning JLPT N1 grammar through Bunpro’s JLPT 1 Deck or just the usefulness of JLPT 1 grammar in general.

I have been focusing on JLPT 2-5 for the past few years with the goal of mastering each point rather than overloading myself with too much grammar. Living and working in Japan, I can honestly say that I regularly see/hear almost every one of the JLPT2-5 grammar points and that they must be known to understand the language (don’t overlook the formal/written forms, they pop up!).

I’ve been told that JLPT N1 is overly booky/rarely used. However, I picked a few random JLPT 1 grammar point sample sentences and read them to my co-workers and they told me that they regularly use them.

Anyone have any insight on the usefulness of JLPT 1 grammar points? Thank you!

#2

I’ve only completed through n2, so dont have super helpful info for you. Just that usually what happens with n1 is people do one of two things : complete it anyway for the sake of completing all available grammar points, or only add new grammar found in the wild through conversation or media

Personally I’m doing the latter route. But seeing as you’re working in Japan with daily exposure anyway, I’d say just do n1 at a comfortable lazy pace. Theres 180 points so even at just 2 a day it’ll only take 3 months. Add reviews for things you come across in your daily life first and supplement with the bunpro n1 path when you dont encounter any. With up to n2 points covered, you can get by without n1 just fine so theres really no rush for n1.
I just think its better to know something and not need it rather than the reverse (to an extent lol )

#3

Thanks for responding, yep those are my thoughts too. I just remember the dreaded pain of starting a new JLPT N# level and being overwhelmed at first with the thought of “I’m never going to remember this!” I know you can overcome it, it’s just a mental barrier that I have starting a new level :laughing:.

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#4

Speaking as a native, I think some of the grammar points taught in N1 are quite rare. However, there are a lot of grammar points that are used not only in formal situations, but also in daily conversations.

I don’t know what you do for work so I can’t say for certain that you will use N1 grammar for work, but some of the grammar points are definitely used in some professions. So, I don’t think it will be a bad idea to study N1 grammar!

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#5

In my experience, I feel it’s at least worth going through N1 once to be aware of what’s in there.

Some of them are even super common casual expressions that you’ll hear often.
A few that come to mind:

https://bunpro.jp/grammar_points/～るまでだ

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#6

From my experience, the usefulness of the N1 grammar varies a lot. Some I see all the time and some my tutor pretty much says not to worry about.

I’m currently working through the Try! N1 grammar book with a tutor (using BunPro for my reviews). And the Try! series does a great job of marking which grammar points are the most common/important, so I can focus my efforts to get the most real-world effect.

So maybe a resource like that they helps prioritize would be helpful along side BunPro?

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