Picking a level

[playadom]

I like the site a lot. Many resources for learning kanji. I know about 250ish. I took bought some practice JLPT 4 exams, got about a 90 on them. What level should i go for?

3?

perhaps 2?

i've been studying since september.

[Kates]

If you know only 250 kanji, you should be safe to take the level 3 JLPT. If you REALLY work hard, you might be able to pass level 2.

[rodegia]

Kanji is almost irrelivant. However, knowing 250, you won't pass 2級. When you say you got a 90, do you mean you got a 90%? was this just on the kanji? there's more to the JLPT, there's also listening, grammar and reading. However, by next December, you should be able to easily pass 3 (assuming you study with that in mind)

[Infidel]

Katesさん wasn't saying that 250 was enough for level 2. She was saying that it is a good enough base that could pass level 2 if he works really hard, 1 year of hard work on top of what he knows should be enough.

[Mukade]

Keep in mind that there's a pretty big jump from level 3 to level 2. Much bigger than the difference between level 4 and level 3.

I know that when I first learned about the JLPT, I took some sample level 3 tests and aced them pretty easily. I got pretty cocky and decided to sit down with the level 2 questions...and was quickly reduced to tears.

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Edit:

I just looked it up to illustrate my point. Here are the numbers for the different levels of the test:

4 - 800 words and 100 kanji
3 - 1,500 words and 300 kanji
2 - 6,000 words and 1,000 kanji
1 - 10,000 words and 2,000 kanji

There's only a 700 word and 200 kanji jump from 4 to 3, but a 4,500 word and 700 kanji jump from 3 to 2. So you're only doubling your words and kanji from 4 to 3, but quadrupling your words and tripling your kanji from 3 to 2!

Keep that in mind as you study, and hopefully you'll be able to avoid a bout of depression like I experienced...

Either way, good luck!

[playadom]

I recently bought some tests for level 3. They are rather difficult, but i managed to pass...
Let's just say it was a little ギリーギリ. The listening comprehension is the hardest part for me. Any ideas on where I can find good resources to improve this?

[saintbe]

I haven't done any JLPT yet but I've been studying Japanese for years now ... Nihongo Journal is perfect to practice your listening skills.

They stopped printing last year but I've heard they started again ...

Good luck !

[taku]

you should start by the basic ones:ichi,ni,san,shi,go.....

[Kates]

playadom: There are some worksheets and study aides at http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp. They are currently in the process of remaking the JLPT study guides for the 2006 test; they should be ready in another few months.

If you go to NHK's website, there are some dialogues to listen to there. Here's the link: http://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/. I think there's a new one every week. Enjoy!