Register for the JLPT

Time to register for the JLPT folks. The test is December 7th, all around the world.

I passed JLPT level 1 back in 2003, but I’m going to take it again as incentive to keep studying Japanese even while back here in the states. I am a slacker by nature, so I need something like a looming exam – that I paid for no less – to keep me going sometimes.

The JLPT [wiki link] is an intense, and very particular test. One of the best ways to prepare for it is to actually attempt it. And to help us out with just that, our friends over at the JapanShop.com have added new JLPT study books to their store inventory.

These study books each include three different past JLPT exams for their corresponding JLPT level. That means that if you buy the JLPT 3 book, you get 3 actual past JLPT level 3 exams. The books include CDs for the audio portion of the test, and the answers are all in the back.

Separate books for JLPT 1, JLPT 2, JLPT 3, and JLPT 4 are available.

With access to three practice tests you can take one test just to see if you’re considering tackling the appropriate level exam, and still have two more samples remainng to attempt throughout your preparation.

When I first took the test I had a book that included 2 sample tests (in fact it was published by the same company, this years version has simply been beefed up to include 3 rather than only 2 samples). It was a little inconvenient, because I had taken both the JLPT 2 and JLPT 1 sample exams in order to determine which level I should sign up for, and then I only had one exam to practice with. I used that exam about 3/4ths of the way through my preparation, but then I had no exams to use at the end of my study.

Three is a good number.

Note that these books give you the questions and answers, but they don’t go in depth explaining things. You’ll want to be sure that you have supplementary books that you can use to look up things that you don’t understand. In the case of Kanji, vocabulary, and idioms, a good dictionary will be all you need, but especially for grammar points you might want a JLPT grammar specific book. I recommend this “Complete Master” series book for JLPT grammar.

So who’s planning to take the test this year?

- Harvey