JLPT N1

4th July, Independence Day. Nothing much to do with me, except that I took the new format JLPT level N1 which is equivalent to the old JLPT1 on that day this year. My 4th attempt, though the previous 3 attempts were in the old format. I wasn’t too sure how I was gonna fare this time. In fact, I was dead sure I was gonna fail till I saw the passing requirements on the official JLPT site. It was then that I thought I may not pass. If that wasn’t clear enough, it was kinda like “sure fail” and it became “may fail”. So the results arrived today at the school. We weren’t told that we were supposed to receive it from our homeroom teacher and she didn’t say anything during the morning class. So, when we found out about it from another teacher, we headed straight to the teacher’s office during lunch but she wasn’t around. I, then, headed to Domy’s to get my lunch bento and as I got back to school, I saw 佐野先生 standing at the lobby handing out the result slips.

I went up to her, got my slip and was about to walk off when she asked if I was gonna open it there and then. So, I put my bento box on the table nearby and opened it on the spot. Wasn’t sure if I was nervous because I was hoping to pass or I was worried about disappointing my teacher. And I opened it…

I finally passed my JLPT level 1! Though I’m not too pleased with the result I got and am thinking of taking it again. Also, I’m interested in doing the 漢字検定 after watching Q-さま。The 漢字 masters were brilliant.

Passing requirement for N1~N3 is released but not for N4~N5.

For JLPT N1, you need to fulfill ALL of the criteria below:
1) To score an overall 100 points and above.
2) To score at least 19 points in each of the 3 sections.

For JLPT N2, you need to fulfill ALL of the criteria below:
1) To score an overall 90 points and above.
2) To score at least 19 points in each of the 3 sections.

For JLPT N3, you need to fulfill ALL of the criteria below:
1) To score an overall 95 points and above.
2) To score at least 19 points in each of the 3 sections.

For more information, click here.

Criteria may no longer be as high as the previous 60% and 70% but they’re looking for actual ability to use and a balance in ability. As for comments on the new format JLPT, I must say the listening test is a lot less taxing and simpler as it’s got more to do with real everyday conversation as opposed to really weird content that you probably won’t use in your life. However, the reading and writing was ridiculously difficult for me. I spent 3 months on JLPT N1 prep class and read the entire 完全マスター grammar book for the old JLPT1 and none of the grammar points nor new vocabulary words came out. NONE!

It was said that the change in the format was due to the fact that many people who passed the level 1 before couldn’t speak or use the Japanese language at all as grammar and vocabulary lists were released and most who passed merely took the list and memorised them. Which is to say, they knew pretty much nothing else outside the list. So, this time, they decided not to release any lists and the questions can and will come from anywhere and everywhere.

Am getting a headache now from the lack of sleep but a passing result slip is good medicine. Then again, not good enough to cure my pain. Gotta sleep…

3 Comments

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *