Many people believe that to achieve good results on the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), you simply need to be excellent at Japanese. While language proficiency is certainly important, the reality is more nuanced than that.
The key to JLPT success lies in understanding the test's patterns, knowing what knowledge and skills are being assessed, and studying strategically based on that understanding. Here's an important truth that many learners don't realise. The JLPT doesn't perfectly measure your overall Japanese ability. It's a standardised test with specific formats, question types, and patterns. This means that even if your Japanese isn't perfect, you can still achieve a high score by understanding how the test works. Conversely, even students with strong Japanese skills sometimes struggle if they aren't familiar with the test format.
Let me show you some concrete examples of the knowledge and skills that are particularly valuable for JLPT success.
Here's a powerful technique for tackling JLPT reading comprehension questions. When you see "shikashi" (しかし/however/but), pay close attention to what follows.
In Japanese writing, "shikashi" often signals a shift in the author's argument or introduces their main point. Writers frequently present one perspective first, then use "shikashi" to introduce a contrasting view, which is usually what they actually believe or the key message of the passage.
When you encounter "shikashi" in a JLPT reading passage, slow down and focus on the sentences that follow. There's a high probability that the answer to the comprehension question will be right there.
Another crucial aspect of JLPT preparation is recognising paraphrasing. The test frequently uses different words or expressions to convey the same meaning between the passage and the answer choices.
For example, a passage might use "困難" (konnan/difficulty), while the correct answer uses "大変" (taihen/tough). Or the text might say "増加する" (zouka suru/to increase), whilst the answer option says "多くなる" (ooku naru/to grow in number).
This means effective JLPT preparation requires more than just memorising vocabulary in isolation. You need to learn synonyms and related expressions together. When you encounter a new word, don't just memorise its meaning. Learn other words and phrases that express the same idea.
For instance, when learning "重要" (juuyou/important), also study 大切 (taisetsu), 大事 (daiji), and 欠かせない (kakasenai), which all convey similar meanings.
This approach will dramatically improve your ability to spot paraphrased information in both passages and answer choices.
JLPT success requires more than just general Japanese proficiency. You need to understand the test format and question patterns, know specific strategies for different question types, and approach your preparation strategically. This includes everything from studying vocabulary with synonyms and paraphrasing in mind, to reading the answer choices before listening to audio passages, to recognising key structural markers like "shikashi" in reading sections. Each section of the test has its own set of techniques that can significantly improve your performance when applied effectively.
This is where quality instruction makes all the difference. At SuikaTalk, we have experienced tutors who specialise in JLPT and other test preparation. These tutors don't just teach Japanese. They teach you how to succeed on the JLPT. They know the test inside and out, and provide targeted training that addresses the specific skills and strategies you need.
You can find our JLPT-specialised tutors here.
Rather than spending countless hours studying without clear direction, learn from tutors who can guide you efficiently towards your goals. With SuikaTalk's JLPT specialist tutors, you'll develop both the language skills and the test-taking strategies necessary to achieve the results you're aiming for.
Ready to approach your JLPT preparation strategically? Let SuikaTalk's specialist tutors guide you to success.
