I’m signed up for the JLPT. I really want to understand the step by step experience so I don’t get spooked. Thank you in advanced for anything you can tell me.
I have a practice test book that came with an audio CD. But, the audio CD is only for the Audio part.
So my guess is :
When you sit down, where your book is (or however it might work), I am guessing they will announce something like “you have 105 minutes to finish the reading section. Open your books and start now.” Then the room is quiet for 105 minutes. And, they will announce “close your books now.” All in Japanese of course.
Then you will be given the Audio book and do the audio portion.
As for the reading portion how close am I? I really want to get a feel for the process… particularly the reading portion because I can’t find information on how it will all come together, what announcements will be said, and I don’t want to accidentally start early or maybe I am supposed to only do a portion of tge reading section at a time.
If anyone can help, I would be infinitely grateful.
Thank you!
15 comments
I last took the JLPT in 2018 for my memory is a bit wonky but you have the gist.
There are actually 4 sections I believe? I know grammar, kanji/vocab, reading, and listening.
When I took it we had like a 10 minute break between each section which was nice.
But yea each section is timed, the announce the start time and end time. And I think for my session they told us if we had like 10 minutes left?
But still good luck! I’m taking the JLPT this December as well.
Don’t take anything with writing on it. Shirts, hats, bags, etc. I remember getting singled out for wearing a hat while they totally ignored the other three people wearing hats, and mine only had a small patch of English text on it.
Make sure you’re back on time if you leave the room during breaks.
At my last test, a girl left when they announced 5 minute break remaining, and came back a minute after break had ended, when they were already handing out tests for the next section. They wouldn’t let her back in, and she had a shouting match with a staff member in the hall. Eventually they let her back in just to get her bag so she could leave.
Turn off your phone. Amy noise from it and you get kicked out.
Have you never taken a standardized test before???
silent and switch off your phone.make sure not even an alarm is on. no smartwatches. even take your eraser’s cover off. no pens only HB pencils . take your 受験票 + identification ( they once asked me for identification , last time when I took the exam they only checked the picture with face ).
don’t open the paper book+ answer sheet until they told you to.
write your name and mark your number when they say.
and when they say to stop immediately put your pencil down and close the booklet ( they can be very very strict). obviously don’t look around while exam is going on.
they give you papers separately so it’ll be easy to understand. in hearing test you can take notes on your paper.
ah be there early. try not to wonder around between interval.
good luck.
I need calories and sunlight during the breaks so last time I checked how long it took to walk outside. Got a few minutes of fresh air and ate an energy bar before the next section. The indoor break area was super crowded. As a previous comment mentioned, don’t be late back though!
BRING A WATCH!!! There are often no clocks in the room. You can buy a watch at Daiso.
Also, all the instructions are in Japanese. So, be ready to listen carefully.
I haven’t done it in over a year, so the procedure may have changed, but if I recall correctly from last time…
Find your room based on your ID number on your JLPT notification postcard. Sit down in the room at your seat.
Turn your phone off and put it in the plastic bag they provide, and put the plastic bag with your phone into your backpack/under your chair. You can have your pencils and eraser on your desk – but the eraser “jacket” (the cardboard bit on it) must be removed. No drinks etc. allowed during the test. No digital watches allowed either, take an analogue watch (often there are no clocks in the test room, and they usually don’t give a warning before the test ends so a lot of people have failed because they thought they would be told).
Once the test procedure starts, the examiners will come around and check your postcard. If you’re wearing a mask, you’ll have to pull it down briefly to show your face. In the past I think they checked ID too, but I don’t think they did the last time I took it. Then they’ll hand out the test papers. You’ll be told to check your ID number and name are correct and match. Don’t pick up any pencils until instructed to write your name on the question book, or they’ll scold you. Put your pencil down after writing your name, and wait for the test to start.
At the end of the test, put your pencil down and wait for the paper to be collected before doing anything else. Once all the papers are collected, you can take a break. Same thing will happen all over again for the next section.
When you practice for the listening test don’t use headphones to listen to the tracks. You need to get used to struggling to hear it, so try to distract yourself by leaving the TV on or something. This will help you focus in the weird room on the day (it’s always a strange experience).
When I’ve taken it (n3), usually I cannot finish the reading section so in the final minute be prepared to check all the remaining answers off before they stop the test. They shout to put your pencils down immediately.
Understand it’s a process. Almost half the time is spent passing out and collecting papers, then counting the papers, checking your test ticket (postcard you get before the test) to make sure you match your picture. Have at least three sharp pencils. Take the case off your eraser. Sometimes, it seems like the proctor doesn’t know what they are doing. Definitely bring a watch. Also, don’t stress about it! I actually found the experience fun!
Turn your phone off. Like off off. Don’t trust silent mode. Someone in my exam had their phone go off and they were distraught they were so sure it was on silent mode, but if it sounds during the exam that’s it, you’re done, you are disqualified from the test automatically.
Also the listening audio is played out loud to the entire room, they will play a test track first and that is your only chance to say something if you can’t hear it well. Someone in one of my tests was moved to a different seat because they were so close to the speakers and it was too loud for them. You cannot change anything once the test starts so pay attention and raise your hand if you have any problems concerning the audio.
It depends what level of the JLPT you are taking as to how the test is delivered. For N5, N4 and N3 it is 3 exams vocab and kanji, then reading and grammar, then listening. For N2 and N1 the kanji, vocab, grammar and reading are all ok one test.
I’m assuming as you’ve mentioned 105 minutes, that you are taking N2? They do not help you with timing. You have 105 minutes and it’s up to you to manage your time properly. Bring a watch as there aren’t clocks in the rooms. If you have basic common sense you will know what to do, they will announce when you can start so unless you aren’t paying attention you won’t start early or anything. Just listen and don’t space out.
It has been a while since I took one. Do they still have the lengthy volume check at the beginning where various voices repeat “the weather’s nice so let’s go for a walk” until all the test-takers start to giggle?
Everything you need to bring to the classroom is written on the back of your exam voucher already. The exam consists of two parts with a break between two. How you plan your time is up to you, I personally focused on reading and passed N2 with my highest score from reading.