During my time in New Zealand earlier this I decided to do the JLPT test level N4 during my 'summer break' in Germany. Back then I knew that there are a lot of kanjis to be memorized, lots of vocabulary to be learned and so many grammar rules to be understood and applied.
After failing an attempt for the N5 test two years ago I made huge steps recently making me confident enough to go even further. I could have played save trying the N5 again, but that wouldn't be the kind of challenge I needed now to move forward.
Back then I failed mostly because my reading speeding was way too slow for being able to finish and a lack of many kanji and grammar rules.
Ready for the test I arrived in Düsseldorf as many more than 500 other people did. Interestingly the most of the participants were applying for the N2 test which I found quite interesting leaving me respect for those reaching that level.
Of course also many were in the N5 one - most of them probably giving it their first shot.
The test
In any case: I gave it a shot in the N4 test and the first session was the vocabulary and character test for thirty minutes. My general impression was quite positive, but in some cases I had to guess the answer since two kanji looked quite similar, but of course just one was the right one.
The second part was the one hour grammar and reading test. I didn't felt really sure in much of the grammar questions since I often couldn't see THE answer, in my view many could have made sense. The texts were alright, I felt like I generally wasn't quick enough and fully focused. I felt that the time is running out and that I should get the 'save' points first, but generally it had an impact on my concentration. Not too mention, that it was also a very hot afternoon.
And as by the end the time really ran out, I had to guess the rest. Not sure, if I reach enough points to get through, but next month I'll know more.
Finally, the listening part came and it was definitely one where I felt I could make up points. The level of the conversations being played were way lower than the previous texts and mostly really easy to understand. The only thing was where I and others I talked to afterwards lost points was - again - the focus. If you drift away when the conversation begins and the questions are asked, you found yourself like: 'Ok, I understood the question, but what did they talk about?!'
But definitely the easiest part of the whole test!
Final thoughts
The question is of course: Did I pass or did I not? Generally this test showed me in which areas I definitely need to improve and although I can read way quicker now then I used to, there's still a lot to be done.
For example certain grammar, I need to understand why certain things are correct and others are not. Plus: I noticed that in terms of kanji I rely too often on furigana. Definitely not the best idea, even though it's convenient. Maybe I should switch them of more often while reading the NHK Easy News.
So, what's next? With myself intending to go on Working Holiday in Japan by the end of next month I definitely plan to do some more courses in Tokyo. Will I even prepare for N3? Probably too soon, maybe I will even do N4 again.
Nevertheless I'm already increasing the vocabulary towards N3 level. Maybe in case of repeating the N4 one it's easier to be a bit more beyond this level.
I met one guy in Düsseldorf even tried the N4 test now for the third time - without being certain if he made it this time.
So time will tell...
ではもっともっとがんばります。
