Kanji is my favorite part of Japanese. I’m currently JLPT N3 level, but if I’m honest my strong point in the language is Kanji. I can currently write from memory the first 80 Kanji that are taught to first graders in Japan. I’m also familiar with nearly all the readings. I’m interested in taking the Kanji Kentei (æ¼¢å—検定), even at the lowest level.
So many people told me to not bother taking the JLPT N5, but I found it fun and beneficial to my future JLPT test studies. I don’t mind taking the time for lower level tests.
Though I am worried that if I show up at the in-person level 10 (一年生 level) test, it’ll be a bunch of 7 year olds in the room. Would that be true? Or is it common for adults to take the test too? I’d take the computer one at a local center, but they don’t give the test until level 7.
Any insight on the test environment would be great! Thank you!
Edit: Please understand that the JLPT does not test writing and many people with high level JLPT certificates cannot always write kanji, even though they can read it. Writing and reading kanji are very different things.
4 comments
it seems that you know how to write the first 80 kanji and their readings. is that correct? while it is impressive, it’s.. well, little. especially at a N3 level. you can’t consider kanji to be your strong point, sorry..
I don’t think it ever hurts to take tests like that, even lower levels. It was always a good opportunity for me to study with some sort of motivation or goal in mind. Just realize that you’ll probably be surrounded by very small children during the test.
No harm just don’t expect too highly that’s all
I’d say go for it, I got a lot out of taking n5 even though lots of people said to skip it. If you’ve got the time/money/interest, I think an early level test can be a great motivating tool.