Currently, I’m doing Bunpro’s N5 vocabulary and grammar decks. I have done 70% of it already.
I noticed that many N5 vocabulary words have example sentences above the N5 level, but those higher-level sentences don’t appear in the quizzes. The quizzes seem to stop at N5 sentences, and some items are already marked as Mastered.
When I move to N4, will those higher-level sentences start appearing? Will Bunpro also introduce N4-level sentences for the same vocabulary?
Also, what’s the better approach for vocabulary study:
should I go level by level (N5 → N4 → N3→ N2→ N1), or add all vocabulary decks at once?
I’m planning to take JLPT N3 in 2026, so I’d really appreciate your advice on how to structure this.
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I’ve never really noticed a problem with the level of the sentences on Bunpro (though I have heard this mentioned before). Instead of fretting about the level of the sentences, just read them. It’s a way to pick up words for free, and it’s good to get used to understanding a sentence based on the parts that you do understand. It will take a very long time to be able to understand every single word you read, so get used to it now.
As for the vocabulary, you can really approach it in anyway. I generally go in order, but I do sometimes add words from “higher” levels (especially if it’s something niche that came up in real life conversation).
I will say it’s better not to rush the process. N5 → N3 in less than a year is doable, but definitely very ambitious especially if you want to actually learn how to speak. It all depends on your goals though.
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So, you wanted to get N3 within one year from scratch? Good news, it’s totally doable. I have achieve N3 is a year, and my advices (from my experience) are:
- Take it slowly, but CONSISTENTLY. You have to be able to dedicate learning time daily, not just 3 days or so a week (it can vary but at least do 30 mins/day). So do all the N5, and then N4, and then N3.
- Don’t try to understand everything at first, but try to remember what you’ve learnt with repetitions. It will be way easier to make sense of everything when you’ve remembered enough! Even grammar like には (N2) and とは (N1) can appear very earlier in N4 or N3 reading…
- if you’re doing an SRS review through Bunpro, flashcards, Anki, or Wanikani, etc. , DON’T CHEAT! For example, when you’re kind of sure about what that grammar points is, but you type in the incorrect form of the verb, mark it as INCORRECT! Making things harder and properly at first is the way forwards.
- If you really sure about going all the way to N1, then Jouyo Kanjis (2200+) is a MUST! I suggest that while aiming for N3 this year, get a good way to learn about 1000 Kanjis for N2 as well, as this make reading and learning new words much much faster! (N3 JLPT usually contain some N2 level words as well)
- And again, CONSISTENCY is key to this. This is so important, I love repeating it everywhere haha.
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