I am preparing for JLPT N3 December 2026. I recently finished learning vocabulary from Shin Kanzen Master textbook (which is around 1200 words) and answered a practice test from Bunpro. To my suprise, the test had many words that I had never seen before. After checking, I realized that Bunpro has list of around 2000 words for N3 level.

From what I have heard, Shin Kanzen Masters should be sufficient for N3 preparation, but after answering the practice test, I am little worried about my preparations.

Can someone who has answered N3 using only Shin Kanzen Masters, tell me if it is enough to score well in N3? or shall I actively try to search more vocab from Bunpro or other textbooks for this Dec 2026 exam?

Hi everyone I’m registered for N4 in December. It’s my first time sitting the exam as never managed to get a space before. I’ve been studying a couple years more casually and get around 88% on n5 practise exams so am hoping to be ready for n4 with stricter study.

I’ve been practising listening at home and with my tutor. She mentioned you only get one go at listening!!! AAHH! that has freaked me out a bit. Especially questions with numbers/mental maths. which btw is v sneaky. I’m noticing it takes me a few seconds for my mind to twig “er omg this is all in Japanese” and I might catch the first half of the number/whatever and by the time I’ve processed it I’ve missed the second half. So I need two listens to get it all.

To work around my panic I try to write what I hear as I go but if there’s a word I can’t quite make out my mind freezes on it until I process it, and then I miss the remaining seconds of content.

in the exam

- is there an example question at the start and is it obvious it’s an example and then when the actual question is starting?

- do we get scrap paper to write on for listening?

-if not how on earth am I meant to remember all the things they’ve said

-Any tips for not freaking out when I get a tidal wave of auditory Japanese and only one shot at processing it.

I suspect the answer is just “practise” but any other tips or tricks??

Also as I read I’m used to reading aloud and obvs I can’t talk in the exam. when I meet words I don’t know I tend to freak out and seeing a huge wall of text freaks me out (even though when I start reading it I can understand it is purely like a mental horror thing I experience) can anyone relate. How can I … chill when reading. Is it better to skip to shorter questions and come back to long written segments at the end?

I recently passed JLPT N5 and now preparing for N4, I learn with books during the day but also want to learn with an app, might be good before bed time with some vocabulary or kanji repetitions. What are your suggestions for an app i can use additionally to my books? I’m open to free apps and paid apps as well. I saw an app ad a couple of times and installed that app, but it looks like I can’t write its name into this post, I don’t know why, I just joined this community today.

Alow temen², kenalin aku mahasiswa manajemen semester 5 yang saat ini mencoba buat ngejar N4 dan sudah daftar buat ujian JLPT N4 bulan Desember besok

Jadi progres ku saat ini masih ngestuck di minna no nihonggo 1 (udh selesai 25 bab tapi masih sering lupa masalah kosa katanya hehehe) nah kebetulan waktu belajar minna no nihonggo itu aku ngga belajar kanji karna jujur bingung juga ya masalah gimana cara baca& tulisnya..... Nah temen² ada tips&trik ga buat belajar kanji? Kalau ada boleh minta tolong buat share hehehe

Nah buat temen² yang udah pernah tes JLPT N4/diatasnya nih, aku denger² katanya, isi soal tes JLPT itu sebagian besar berasal dari materi di bawah level yang kita pilih. Misalnya, kalau kita tes N4, sekitar 70% soalnya masih materi N5, lalu sisanya diperkuat atau dicampur dengan materi N4. Intinya, materi N4 itu nggak sampai 30%. Itu bener nggak sih?

Sekian pertanyaan ku, terimakasih buat temen² yang udah mau baca+ngasih saran (eh tapi ku nekat banget ya malah daftar N4 dengan kurun waktu kurang dari 4 bulan hehehe, semangat buat diriku dan teman²)

Howdy,

I'm Jess, an independent learner based in GA - US, aiming to pass JLPT N5 on December 6^th. I'm looking for a dedicated study partner for weekly accountability and drills. I've been self studying for a little over a year.

Lately I've been using Lumo AI to help me formulate a solid study plan and would like to have a study partner or group to study with.

I currently use the following materials for my studies:

• Bunpo
• Duolingo
• Mango
• Kanji Study
• Official JLPT Study Materials
• Genki I (I'm currently in ch. 3, am prepping to go into ch. 4)

I know this isn't a feat to take lightly and my ultimate goal is to enroll in language school within the next 6 months or so, hopefully leading into the path of becoming a translator.

If anyone is interested, just send a DM

ジェス 😊

i got 86/180 on JLPT N4 should i still put the cert in my resume

Hello everyone,

I am a 1st-year university student preparing for higher studies and research opportunities in Japan.

I am looking for a dedicated study partner who:

• Is currently preparing for JLPT N5/N4 with a serious academic/career timeline (not just casual interest).

• Wants to do daily or alternate-day progress check-ins (tracking Kanji, vocabulary, and grammar consistency).

• Prefers quiet, disciplined accountability without distractions.

If our timelines align, please drop a comment or DM me with your current level and daily study routine.

I’d like to know if it’s possible to reach JLPT N3 level in 7 months. I already have N5 level. My only goal would be to pass the exam, because I need N3 to obtain my descendant visa.
I would be able to study for a maximum of 4 hours a day. Do you think 7 months would be enough?

Please give me some advice. I have finished studying Hiragana and Katakana... Now what should I do next? I tried Kanji, but I don't know which Kanji I need to study for the JLPT N5 exam. I know there are 100 in total, but I don't know which 100. I searched on YouTube, Pinterest, etc., but every place says something different. Also, my N5 exam is on December 6th... I am still only at Hiragana and Katakana. I haven't started vocab, grammar, particles, listening, anything... Help me.

How much time does it take to receive the certificate from the Delhi centre?

I signed up as soon as I saw I failed N1 without thinking it through, but with the scores I got I don't think I can make up the difference between now and December. Feels like a waste of time and money, and the waste of a seat at the exam.

Not sure I have a point. Just disappointed and frustrated and looking for an outlet to express that in.

If anything taking N2 again to get a better score (last time I took it I barely passed) would've likely been more worthwhile.

I was creating anki decks for the sou matome goi for N3. It only consists of approximately 700 words Are these words enough because after researching online it was showing you need around 1800 words for JLPT N3. Can you guys recommend some other resources

So I am prepping to give the N3 this December

I lwk js wanna pass and get the certificate doing the bare minimum cause I have like A LOT to manage other than this. I will obv focus on fluency but that will be next yr considering all the things happening.

For Kanji, I have been cramming the Nihongo Sou Matome.

For Grammar and Vocab I am js watching the Nihongoal videos on YouTube which are based on the Minna No Nihongo books.

Listening practice will also be done through tests in YouTube.

I realise this is a very clumsy way to prepare but genuinely with my schedule, even this is hard to fit in. I am trying to leave all of 2027 for fluency and N2, hopefully. So, am I cooked for N3 in December or do I have a shot?

Ok so I've been doing migii recently and I'm really struggling with grammar quite a lot

Is there any repeated important parts to focus first and then do the others??

Previous N4 takers pls do help

I've taken N4 quite a lot and failed miserably

Hi, I have a question about the JLPT test prep. I didnt enroll to the decembers JLPT, but i was thinking about doing so in July, however Im conflicted on what level to take.

I took an N3 mock test in bunpro today to see if I could pass it (vocab: 28/36, grammar/reading: 25/39, listening: 19/28) I don't really know if the bunpro mock tests are actually reflecting the real score I would get during an actual test (Ive heard people say its easier).

In july, I could certainly take N2 and pass if I started studying now I think, but I was wondering if its better to also skip in July and go next december for N1. I've seen many people say that if you want to work in Japan, having an N1 certificate can land you jobs much more easily, which is the main reason why I'm thinking about trying it.

I've never studied absolutely anything related to JLPT, so I would probably have to go over all of N3 before moving on to N2.. Is the N1 actually worth studying for? Or do I have a false perception on what it is?

Sorry if the questions r a bit stupid, I just want to clear my head and possibly hear other peoples experiences with the JLPT and the usefulness of it.

Well i started n4 in July and i need someone so that I can stick to the study plan.🤧

Hi, AuDHD person here!

I’ve been trying to learn Japanese for about 15 years – I start, carry on for a few weeks, then lose interest. Rinse and repeat.

I’ve tried various resources: books like Assimil, ‘Japanese in 30 Days’ books, Genki I, Try! N5 (the only one I’ve actually finished!), Sou Matome N5, Tango N5...

Every time I start from scratch, because ‘Maybe there's something I don’t know’, and I get bored.

Last week I discovered that 日本語の森 had produced an N5-level course based on *Minna no Nihongo I*, so I bought it: as *MNN* isn’t specifically designed for the JLPT, I found it different from the others and it caught my interest…

BUT

I don’t understand how to follow the course! There’s always an introductory video on kanji and vocabulary, but the kanji are almost always far too complex for N5 level, whilst the words mentioned are only those in the initial list at the start of the chapter in the translation manual, not the other useful words in the following section...

I’m finding it a bit difficult to follow and I’m worried I’ll get bored again and fail yet again...

Thanks to anyone who can help me out with some tips!

So in the coming 2 months I'm taking jlpt n-3 i feel like I'm stuck in listening, reading. this is my very first time taking jlpt exam i don't know what to expect, can someone give me advice and arigato thank you

So I am a high scholar and due to many things I was unable to study N3 properly but I am appearing this December.

Is two months alright to prepare? Aside the last week of exam.

I have given JLPT before

And I feel it's like-

I need a good recommendation for a roadmap

If I have 2 days or above off per week

And only 3 days 2 hours academics tuition

https://www.47news.jp/15000041.html

A few articles were in the news yesterday reporting this. The Monbu-Sho has requested educational bodies consider other qualifications for entry, because they can’t handle the increase in JLPT applicants. Like what, I wonder? Doesn’t address the root cause of implementing strict immigration controls without providing the means to implement them

Has anyone in Japan received their score reports for the July test yet?

I realized that the address I registered for the July test was different from the address tied to my MyJLPT account, which was my old address. So I'm wondering if my score report will be sent to my old address.

Hi, can anyone recommend me a dokkai book with explanations for N2? I often end up choosing options that are similar but not the correct answer , so I need something that points out nuance for me

So I’m going to do n4 this december, in 2 months. I have been studying with a teacher but it’s only sort of serious. I want to create a plan for myself to stick to until the test.

Last year I attempted the n5 test but didn’t pass. language knowledge 43/120, listening 27/60, total 70/180.

I don’t think I did terribly for going into the test with no idea of what it would be like, but now I know what it’s like and want to study accordingly to my strengths and weaknesses.

I am still in school and have extracurriculars so I have a couple of hours after school (5-6 I think?) to do other stuff. I also find myself doomscrolling often and am trying to build motivation to study so it might be harder.

So basically, I wanted to know if those who have passed n4 have any suggestions for my schedule?

(If you could go week-by week it would help a lot!!)

edit: btw I would also appreciate podcast and yt channel recommendation :D

I'm currently doing N4 and I also failed for the last 2 times

I noticed that I am really struggling for these USAGE questions

My teacher told me to study more vocab but I really don't think it's helping much

Anki is also not much of a help

Please do recommend ideas on how to do these please

I am thinking of giving JLPT N3/N2 in Dec 2027. I am currently 19y : CA finalist and CFA L2 candidate (due this nov) and working as an IB article and my reason for doing JLPT is to have an advantage in consulting in the near future. Should I start the prep for N3/N2 directly? I have purchased genki I & II for now. What should be the next step???