A YouTuber named akodearest shared in one of her videos that sll her teachers told her that she can simply skip N5 and go straight to N4. I was stunned because I’d been stuck learning N5.
Of course, I have no problem with N5 kanji (as long as I keep refreshing it in my memory). N4 seems like s decent level to actually hold a small talk and N3 for a decent conversation.
I just want to know if anyone actually skipped N5.
Just so you know, I just learned whatever vocab and grammsr points I needed. I don’t have intentions on taking a JLPT exam when I get to Japan or something. I just saw it as a “rough guide” for my proficiency.
…but just in case I do take the JLPT exam, I want to increase my chances of passing N3 somehow… with God’s help…
25 comments
If you don’t have the intention to take the JLPT, why do you care about these arbitrary levels? If you want to do anything meaningful with Japanese, you’ll need a lot more than an N4 level.
If by N5 you mean the test then both N5 and N4 are worthless since they don’t have any real value in case you’re applying for something in Japan
If you mean you should skip studying N5 and go straight to N4 then that’s a really bad thing, You need to know a lot of things before studying for N4
If you mean you don’t want to take the official exam then you can just find an old exam, take it and see how much you get
I’m not sure which video this is and I don’t watch akidearest, but I know her because I know about joey the anime man. Note that they live in japan, and have for a while. This could have been a part of the teacher’s reason to tell her to skip to N4
You need to know all the grammar and vocab that is categorised as “N5” because it’s foundations. You don’t need to do the test but you still need to know the stuff.
Please don’t take learning advice from non-learning channels. Especially considering her Japanese [isn’t the best.](https://youtu.be/e_FMQGpLa8E).
N5 is considered worthless as a certification because it only covers the most basic of basics. If you understand the content expected of N5 then keep studying for the N4. If you understand N4, then N3, and so on. Most companies will want N2 if not N1. It’s all cumulative, so even the N1 would expect you to understand N5 kanji, vocab, and grammar, even though the N1 exam won’t test you on N5 kanji, vocab and grammar. Even in the case of someone who wasn’t actually going to take the test, you simply won’t get far without understanding the basics covered in the lower levels.
Just go all the way man 😎
It’ll take a while but it’ll be worth it
Just keep grinding till u get N2
I’d recommend skipping n4 as well tbh..
When people say “N5 is worthless”, they’re talking about using it ONLY in a professional sense.
If you’re using JLPT to gauge your progression, for motivation, you enjoy having specific goals, or whatever other reason not related to using it on a resume, then obviously it *can be* worth getting. It all depends on your own reasons for learning Japanese.
Its correct I went straight for N4 after like 3 months of learning
I personally advocate for skipping the N5. In fact, I myself skipped N5.
My personal opinion about N5 and N4 is this: keep in mind that in terms of textbooks, the vast majority of recommendations are either the Genki set or the Minna no Nihongo set- I guess Tobira is also putting out a beginner set, but only the first book is out right now, I think. Genki and Minna no Nihongo are split into two textbooks, because there’s a LOT of basics to cover for Japanese (and any language). N5 is basically a comprehension test for those who only finished the first book in either set. I believe you need to finish BOTH to have a true basic grasp on Japanese, and hence why I think doing N4 is much better than N5, even at such a low level.
So Aki has been living in Japan for definitely more than a year and has a boyfriend who speaks fluent Japanese that helps her practice
N5, N4, and N3 are all irrelevant in so far as being used by employers or educational institutions. That’s the reason why people say you can skip them, is that they don’t have many practical uses compared to N2 and N1.
The point is to take whichever test is closer to your level.
Of course, if by ‘skipping N5’ you mean skipping N5 grammar, that would be an absurdly stupid thing to do. That would be like skipping the part of English where you learn the difference between ‘do’ and ‘did’.
just go for N1 m8
Yes, I skipped N5, it’s not required as a prerequisite take N4, and I’d been studying for a while and was pretty sure I could handle N4. You can skip to any level since it’s just a voluntary way to measure and prove progress, just don’t waste your time and money by going way above what you can handle.
I don’t think anybody suggests N5, and I personally am taking N4 solely to get exposed to the exam structure for when I take N3/N2 down the road. As a person in language school now, the gap between N5 and N4 is laughable if you’re taking any classes.
this is like saying “can you study algebra 2 without taking algebra 1” I guess you can but it’s a horrible idea
Yes. Unless you just want to put it in collection like my brother, many people only take N2 or N1. If they just want to see their progress, take N3 first.
For serious learners, N5 and N4 doesnt really have much use.
Don’t listen to her, ofc in a professional setting n5 is nothing since most jobs will need n2, but the only reason she can do that is because she lives in Japan, takes clases and then has a native speaker boyfriend and probably has nothing to do in the day other than making videos.
there is benefit in taking lower level tests just to learn about the way the test works in a real testing environment, so when you take higher level tests you just sorta know the ropes and can focus on the actual test.
You have to learn N5 lmao. You don’t have to do the test but you can’t just skip to N4. You can’t build a house with just bricks.
Unless you can demonstrate a decent amount of Japanese proficiency, won’t need N3. They’ll just hire you. However, some places would want that N3 just to see that you have proof that you communicate. Silly I know but when I’m doubt japan is all about certs. N3 is the entry point for most part time jobs in Japan. N2 is enough for technical schools and only Japanese majors in colleges. Also some decent full time jobs.
I took the N4 exam without having attempted the N5 first. The material tested by the N5 is obviously important for learning the language, but since it’s a test that you have to register and pay for, you are better off just learning the material for N4 as well, and then take an N4 test, saving the money needed to take an N5 test. I believe that is the context of the advice given by the teacher: don’t waste money paying for a test you do not need to take (because it’s obvious you would pass it).
As mentioned by others, most beginner textbook sets like Minna no Nihongo will comfortably get you to a N4 level if you complete them properly, so it’s not like it will take that much more time to get ready for N4 level, if you are already studying the N5 material.
Don’t take other people’s personal situations as gospel that’s right for everyone. There are merits to taking n5 as a beginner and that is you learn how the test works and how to manage your time under pressure. It’s also $50-60 bucks so it’s no harm to just do it and keep on going.
Don’t overthink it, if you have the time and the money just take it and see how you go.
Simple answer, there isn’t a way to skip most of the material, but you can skip the test.
I agree with her because of how easy it is to get to N5. It can legit be done within a couple of weeks