Hello Everyone, it has been a long time since my last post. However, I am here to share my experience with taking the JLPT N3 in Yokohama, Japan!
In a nutshell, the JLPT stands for Japanese Language Proficiency Test, and if you've ever dabbled in studying Japanese or live in Japan, you've probably come across the term. The JLPT is big deal for those looking for employment or entrance into university here in Japan. Most places will ask applicants to produce a JLPT N1 or JLPT N2 certificate. Therefore, most textbooks and language learning programs categorize their curriculum based on the JLPT levels.
I wasn't too familiar with the test before entering Japanese language school. After enrolling, it was all everyone talked about. The JLPT is held twice a year in Japan, in July and December, and most of my classmates were hoping to take the JLPT N3, as that would allow them to start applying to vocational schools or take entrance exams for university.
I hadn't planned on taking the JLPT at all, but since all of my peers were taking it, I felt like it wouldn't do me any harm. I signed up on the official JLPT website in August and the test was scheduled to be held the first week of December. While I wasn't sure that was enough time to prepare, I trusted my teachers and vowed to study diligently. I received my test voucher and was excited to take on a new challenge.
Unfortunately, I suffered from a family emergency on November 1st, which caused me to withdraw from school. I fell into a deep depression that prevented me from studying. I nearly convinced myself that I wouldn't take the exam. I studied only sporadically when I gathered enough strength to open a textbook.
The exam took place on Sunday, December 5th at 12:30. I stayed up until 4AM the night before because of the ongoing family emergency and needing round-the-clock support from my family. I told myself, when I finally went to sleep, "If I wake up on time, I'll go. If I don't wake up on time, I'm going to give up on it". By the grace of God, I woke up at exactly 9:30AM and had enough time to make it to the test site. I went to the convenience store, bought two pencils, printed out the health check, and made my way to the test site.
TEST SITE
Although it seems there was a much closer test site in Yokohama where I live, I was assigned to a very far test site at a university in Kawasaki. I had to walk nearly one mile to the test site with the last stretch being uphill. I managed to eat a roll of bread as I hustled to the site, but I made it with a lot of time left.
When I entered my assigned test room, there were already at least 70 students seated. It was a large lecture room, and we all sat a seat apart from our tablemates. We were to place everything under the desk and were only allowed a few writing utensils and caseless erasers on our desk. There was a clear plastic bag placed on everyone's desk. These were used to hold our cell phones and electronics.
Once I settled in my seat, I noticed that the proctors had written a schedule on the board for the times and sections of the exam. I also noticed that there wasn't a clock anywhere. At that time, I also realized that I had forgotten to buy a wristwatch for the exam. I panicked briefly because I heard a lot about running out of time, but I figured there was nothing I could do, and just put it in God's hands.
VOCABULARY
The first section covered vocabulary and language knowledge. I thought that this section might be my strongest section, but it was actually my weakest. I had to guess, use context clues, and use the process of elimination to answer many of the questions. I think this is because my language school did not systematically teach us vocabulary. We only picked-up vocabulary from our grammar or kanji textbooks, and they weren't nearly enough. So, my advice for this section is to study vocabulary in a systematic way, such as with Wani-Kani or with a vocabulary book.
We had about 30 minutes for this section, and I felt like, even for me who did not know a lot of the answers, it was plenty of time. So, while I may need a miracle to pass this section, I do believe that it accurately tests your N3 knowledge and if you know the material, it will be a breeze.
Oh, and someone's phone went off like 10 minutes into this section. Perhaps it was an alarm. They were promptly escorted out of the room. So, yes, make sure to turn off all alarms, ringtones, and electronics!
GRAMMAR / READING
The second section was grammar, and we were granted 70 minutes. I've always been intimidated by grammar because I am just not that good at it. I get particles mixed up and verb endings wrong all the time. However, I found grammar to be much easier than I anticipated. I think this is because of the multiple-choice format. The language school I attended did not use multiple choice EVER, so we really had to know the material. Therefore, I think knowing the parameters and being able to easily know which ones don't fit, helped me a lot.
As for the reading, my language school had us do timed drills with passages of varying lengths, and I swear the reading passages we did in class using the N3 Speed Master were much longer and more complicated. The strategy I used the most during this section was to read the questions first and then find the place in the passage that corresponded with it. That helped save a lot of time since I didn't need to read the entire passage. I also started with the shortest passages first and saved the longer passages for last.
Overall, I had enough time to go back and double-check, and whatever I didn't know, I honestly didn't know.
LISTENING
Fortunately, the speakers and audio were very clear and easy to follow during the test. The listening section is always intimidating though because you can't hit repeat. Therefore, one strategy that helped me a lot was to write down what I was hearing. My tablemate just sat there and listened to the dialogue, and I know if I did that, I'd forget what was said a few seconds earlier. It takes a bit of effort, but I think it is worth it, especially for the questions that do not have questions or answers written down in the test booklet.
I found the dialogue speed average, and I also didn't find the dialogue to be extremely tricky. I was quite pleasantly surprised, to be honest. Maybe my expectations were extremely low though!
OVERALL
Overall, I felt like it was a very good experience. I was expecting to take a test that tried to trick you or make you second guess yourself but it was actually quite fair and objective. Honestly, you either know it or you don't. I don't have any horror stories, aside from the girl in front of me putting her dirty, greasy hair on my desk, and I would recommend all language learners give it a try!
Bring a few snacks for the breaks in between, hydrate yourself, and just do your best.
While I can't say for certain I passed, I do think it accurately assessed where I need to improve. Although I am no longer enrolled in language school, I'm looking forward to trying for N2 in the future!
Oh, and if you are worried about time, wear a watch!!
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