The test voucher for this year’s JLPT came in recently. I’ll be taking level 2, which will be held at Singapore Management University on 6th December.
Unlike last year’s level 3, which was a breeze, I lack the confidence that I can pass this round’s paper. That really shouldn’t be happening.
For the mock tests, I’m averaging at around 300/400, which is really horrible. The 360 mark seems really far away. I think most of the problem lies in listening. The more I practice, the harder I find it to catch the gist of the dialogue. That really puzzles me.
One thing I’ve never really been was consistent. Something I could have done might not be possible for me to do later. That’s something I really hate and fear. Imagine the embarrassment when people laugh at you for having a certain certification of the language, but still making grammatical errors or not being able to remember the readings for some kanji that you should have known. Or failing to translate properly when they ask of you to.
I’ve not been studying much except for the weekly grammar homework, which I’m not doing too well at too. Unlike how I was playing Team Fortress 2 before last year’s paper, there’s the realisation that I have to somewhat study in order to pass this year’s paper. Still, I’m not motivated enough to do anything. The thought of school work. JLPT, driving lessons and some additional stuff which I really shouldn’t be thinking about has left me feeling drained psychologically. It’s the horrible feeling of having so much to do, but not knowing where to start from.
I really need to get my game on soon.
Unhappy matters aside, is anyone else taking the exam at the same venue too?
I’m taking JLPT 2 aswell but in London, revision hasn’t been going well for me too, especially the listening and grammar. Since I paid may aswell take the exam to see how I do. If I don’t pass (most likely) there’s always next year.
Taking JLPT4 at SMU too. I think all the exams will be held there.
JLPT4 is almost too easy lol. But my turn will come eventually. D:
Lol.. good luck!
All the best and good luck for your upcoming JLPT2.
Thanks for all the good luck wishes!
Good luck Double! I”m sure you’ll do well. XD
Good luck in the test. I think you will do fine.
Seriously, I’m just aiming to pass right now.
Although 75% sounds quite good, I still want to aim for something better. I believe I do have more potential to do better than just that, so I think somewhere around 90% would be a good goal.
Taking JLPT 3 for myself this year.Hopefully can do well ^^
がんばれ！きっと合格するだろう。
I believe that you will fare quite well. ^.~ All the hard work will not go down the drain.
頑張るぜ！
Might be sitting beside you :X
for the consistency thing, don’t worry about it or your mind will spiral downwards because of doubt. Genki Sudo mentioned the reason for his early retirement was writing above a public bathroom stall that read “One step forward”.
most likely taking the exam with you. i am more worried. i left japanese for a 3 years and chose level 2 to come back. now that i am preparing, i feel that i have gone nuts to even attempt this!
Hi, I took the test yesterday and I’m confident that I failed, but it’s OK. I have never taken level 4 or 3 and have lived in Japan for 3 years. My friends who took the test told me that 4 or 3 would be too easy for me and that I should go for 2. I studied for about 6 months by myself in my free time but couldn’t cover all the grammar, kanji and vocabulary needed to pass the test with flying colors. I was only able to learn about half of each of the JLPT books and when I took the test, I was only able to answer about half of the questions with confidence. Which tells me that with another 3 to 6 months of study I have a good chance of passing. I suppose it goes to show that this test is all about memorization. You either know it or you don’t.
The listening parts were fairly easy, but I live in Japan and work in a junior high school so that helped a lot.
I did want to say something else about you’re post. It seems you’re looking for perfection. I consider myself a perfectionist and can understand but that is the wrong attitude toward learning a language. Even people who have been speaking a foreign language for most of their adult lives make mistakes from time to time. Even simple ones. Translations are never perfect, you just have to come as close as you can and that’s it. Even between 2 languages that share a lot in common, something is always lost in translation. Sometimes, even translations between 2 dialects of the same language can’t convey the same meaning.
Good luck with your Japanese studies!
Took JLPT2 yesterday at SMU too… I know your feeling.. =|
Juan > I’m not really striving for perfection, but rather, striving towards attaining the level of a native Japanese. Besides the language, I’ll have to work on my accent and pronunciation too.