r/jlpt

I lived in Japan for quite a while so I had a significant advantage, but I’ll still try to provide some advice based on my experience.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently preparing for JLPT N3 (July exam). I’ve already finished all the essential N3 grammar and I’ve learned around 600 kanji.

But here’s my problem — I haven’t really started vocabulary yet 😓

Now I’m feeling a bit panicked because I know vocab is a big part of the exam.

I’m planning to start the Shinkanzen Master N3 Vocabulary book. Do you think this is enough to cover JLPT N3 vocabulary in this short time?

Also, I’d really appreciate advice on:

• Best way to memorize vocab quickly at this stage

• Whether Shinkanzen alone is enough

• Any extra methods/resources that actually work (especially for short-term prep)

I still have a few months, but I want to use my time wisely and not waste effort.

Any guidance would really help 🙏

It looks like the data for the December 2025 test is out (https://www.jlpt.jp/e/statistics/archive/202502.html)

Now that my MHTCET (PCM) exams are finally over, I want to start learning Japanese instead of just sitting around. I’ve done some research on the JLPT, but I’m still a bit confused about the workload. If I can commit 2 hours a day, how long should it realistically take to reach N5? Any advice for a total beginner

~ 19yr Mumbai 📍

Hi everyone I am (18F) India and looking for people who are preparing or did jlpt exams

I am a beginner and I want to start with enthusiastic people

So help and guide me through it!

Hi everyone,

I've recently been trying to do some practice exams under proper exam conditions and one thing I've noticed is that even after many years of high school and university exams, I still don't test well due to nerves.

My biggest problem is the listening section - as soon as I can't understand the script/I lose my train of thought my mind goes blank and that question becomes a total write-off.

I'm generally ok with the other sections since I can re-read things, but there are moments where I freeze in those parts too.

Does anyone have any advice for exam anxiety aside from breathing strategies and lots of practice? I really don't want to fail on account of panicking during the exam :(

Hi there! I just completed one week of accountability project with my Italki group teacher, we used WhatsApp to communicate daily what we did according to our goal (teacher is also studying a language). This worked really well for me and I am looking for partner to join until my December exam. Can add/change other means of channel than WhatsApp but given I am working full time, new mum with a baby and other stuff, cannot be too complicated.

Some facts about me:

JLPT story: I am in my end 30s, passed N3 in December 2024 with big baby belly, failed N2 December 2025 still recovering from birth, now want to pass 100% sure in December 2026!

Location/ timezone: I am based in New York, not American (European), and at least twice a year for a longer period in Japan. I get up quit early so I am often connected with Europe and/or Southeast Asia time zone . Basically time zone doesn’t matter to me :D

Resources: I am using now Quartet 1 (N3, review) and Quartet 2 (N2, some reviews) as it follows a path accompanied with a weekly group course. Supplementing with Bunpro, Migaku, and Japagesepod101(for listening mainly). I also always read 1 book in Japanese, currently Atomic Habits after someone super helpful here gave me advice!. I am aware of most Japanese resources (completed Wanikani) and have a large selection of Japanese language books (mentioning in case study partner is seeking advice ). I am a BIG FAN of Focusmate :)

Please let know if can commit and preferred mode and then we can decide via DM way forward!

Is it just me or did the JLPT July 2026 result schedule get pushed back a lot?

I checked the official JEES page here in Japan and it says that the Test Result: late September 2026.🥲

Wasn’t the July 2025 result released around late August? Why is 2026 almost a month later?

Hi all,

I signed up for the N5 in July and have just started practicing the exam specifically. I did my first practice exam last night, I sat in my office, put on a 90 minute timer and got to work. I used the Bunpro practice exams and got 63% overall, with 87% in vocab, 55% in grammar and 50% in listening. I currently use Genki as my main study item and I'm on Chapter 9. My vocab is fine, i think my grammar will be fine eventually but I'm concerned about the listening. It genuinely sounds mostly like whitenoise to me. How can I improve my listening? I've tried listening to n5 level podcasts but i feel no improvement whatsoever.

I’m just wondering if 6 months is enough to do N2. What do you guys think?

I am currently studying for jlpt N4 in july, but I admit, I immerse A LOT. I tried mock exam for N3 and I would pass it with 67 % ....

not a brag just wondering....

I mean they probably would have to limit it to like N2 or N1 level, because there wouldn't be enough examiners. They could use some kind of AI examiner but in the end a human would have to verify it. What do you think?

I have N3 coming up in July.. haven't finished N4 yet half-way there

Also started reading Yotsuba! ( great read highly recommend uses basic japanese and you can look up the difficult words using google lense )

I need to know how do you study N3 vocabulary and grammer part ... up until now it was smooth sailing using Nihongoal but it only has 16 chapters for N3

And Kanji my worst nightmare, how do i do that ? Seriously how? Do I read all 650 readings individually or learn words ... but there are so many words... 😭

Any help here would be greatly appreciated...

Also self learner here and does the N3 paper have furigana reading for every kanji?

Hello everyone! I’m self-studying for JLPT N5 using Genki and looking for a study buddy. We can practice vocab, basic grammar, and maybe do simple convos.

Hey guys!! I' ve seen around people recommending the Wanikani app for learning kanji and vocab. Ive passed the N4 and Im preparing for the N3. Should I start using it now? Is it useful at this point or should I continue with anki? Also, will I have to start from the beginning or can I tailor my learning to an intermediate level?

Hi everyone!

So basically I'm studying N2 vocabulary using the Jtango N2 app that I have found as an apk (no longer available in Google Store). Recently the audio for the app is no longer available, and since it needs internet connection I'm scared it'll simply stop functioning. I haven't found a better app yet. Do you have any recommendations? Or is there a way I could use this app offline?

We have two months left until the JLPT in July. How is your studying going so far?
Are you confident? Nervous? Cooked?

Personally, I'm feeling pretty good about my chances of passing if I keep up my study habits until test day. I'm gonna take a Mock test next month and see where my weak points are for some last minute tweaks.

I have been studying japanese for 3 years and a half now using the ajjat methode and plan to take the n2 in december this year. Most of the grammar points i know i accuired through immersion but to fill in the blanks i decided to study grammar using the sou matome grammar n2 text book, i already finished the text book, now i am just revising from scartch the grammar points to get them in my head, i was wondering if thoses grammar points really show up in the n2 because i never took a test before or did a mock test i wanted to wait until i fully revised the text book then do a mock test.i know that sou matome isn't popular in the community for not clear explanaion but my method i just see the grammar point and look it up and youtube and i use the drills in the book to help them stick,i also considered studying the shinkanzen but i still have listening and reading and vocab, so don't really have time to study another text book.
my question is anyone had sucess with the sou matome book and how do you study grammar for the test? and i want advice how can i study grammar the most optimal way.

I have about 7 months until JLPT N1, and I’m trying to close a gap that feels… larger than I expected.

Right now, the friction shows up in a few places.

In exam questions, I can’t answer quickly and move on. I’m aiming for ~10 seconds per question, but I often get stuck parsing grammar or second-guessing vocab.

In reading, there are stretches where I miss key words or lose the thread entirely. It reminds me of when I first tried reading *The Economist* or *The New York Times* as a teenager. English is my native language, and even then, I had to build that reading muscle over time. So I’m trying to keep that perspective.

My current plan, and I’m not fully confident in it, is to read 10 to 60 minutes a day depending on mental capacity, and split these 7 months into phases. I was considering using a vocab primer that covers ~8000 common JLPT words, then dividing that across the months and just consistently pushing through it.

Part of me wonders if that’s too ambitious. Another part wonders if it’s the only way to close the gap.

So I guess my questions are:

Should my strategy change as I get closer to the exam, or is consistency the main thing?

Is aiming for ~8000 words in 7 months realistic, or more of a stretch goal?

And for those who passed N1 after not being mock-ready mid-year, what actually moved the needle for you?

I’m not passing mock papers right now, which is uncomfortable to admit, but I’m hoping that changes by December.

I’m open to adjusting course if needed. Just trying to be deliberate about the next 7 months rather than guessing my way through them.

Where do you guys give mock tests , whenever i try to give it , tge same question appears. Do you guys know any other different websites???