3 or 4?

[billy-jay]

So, I've decided to take the JLPT this year, but I'm not sure which test I should shoot for. I think I should be able to handle 4 with moderate studying. I wonder if I shouldn't be trying for 3, though. I'm not sure I can put forth the effort to make a decent run at it, but it would be a greater challenge and it may push me to study harder. On the other hand, if it's too big a hill to climb, I don't want to burn myself out.

Any thoughts?

[clay]

I don't know when the application is due, but you could try studying hard for 3 kyuu until then. If you feel at that time you have a good shot, go with 3 kyuu; Otherwise you may want to go with the sure shot 4 kyuu.

[paul_b]

billy-jay wrote:
Any thoughts?

You'll get more benefit from failing 3 kyuu than passing 4 kyuu. So if you think you have the slightest chance of passing 3 then go for that and study your socks off.

[billy-jay]

*bump*

I just took the 2005 level 4 test and scored 87.27% on part 1, 76.47% on part 2, and 57.14% on part 3. What this says to me (besides the fact that my Japanese sucks) is that I can pass this test with very little further effort.

So, level 3 it will be.

Thanks, Paul for the advice and thanks, Clay for selling me a bunch of books to get ready.