Studying hard isn't enough to pass the JLPT. You need to study smart. Here are 10 strategies that make the difference between those who pass and those who have to try again in December.
1. Start with Kanji, Not Grammar
Counterintuitive? Maybe. But kanji need time to settle. Grammar you can learn in weeks. Kanji require months of repeated exposure. Start early, study a little every day, and by the time you get to grammar, kanji won't be an obstacle.
2. Don't Study Lists. Study in Context.
Memorizing 日 in isolation is nearly useless. Memorizing it inside 日曜日, 毎日, 今日 is useful. The JLPT doesn't ask you to recite kanji. It asks you to understand them in real sentences. Study the way you'll be tested.
3. Train Listening Every Day, Not the Last Week
Listening is the section where most candidates lose points. And you can't recover with a final sprint. Your ear adapts gradually. 10-15 minutes daily of Japanese audio for months beats 10 hours the last week.
4. Do Full Mock Exams Before the Real Thing
At least 2-3 complete simulations, in real conditions: timed, no breaks, no dictionary. You'll discover where you lose time, which sections trip you up, and how to manage mental fatigue. Better to find out at home than at the exam.
5. Know the Exam Structure
Every JLPT level has a precise structure. How many questions per section, how much time, what types of questions. Study it. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and lets you allocate time intelligently.
6. Don't Get Stuck on Difficult Questions
Golden rule: if you don't know the answer in 30 seconds, mark the most likely option and move on. One wrong answer costs 1 point. Three unanswered questions because you wasted time on the first one cost 3 points. The math is clear.
7. Use Spaced Repetition (It's Not Optional)
Spaced repetition isn't a 'trick.' It's how human memory works. Reviewing a kanji at the exact moment you're about to forget it locks it in forever. Reviewing it daily is inefficient. Not reviewing it is useless. Timing is everything.
8. Study Every Day, Even Just 20 Minutes
Consistency beats intensity. Every. Single. Time. 20 minutes daily for 6 months is 60 hours of study. 3 hours on weekends for 6 months is 72 hours... but poorly distributed. The brain learns better with small, frequent doses.
9. The Day Before: Rest, Don't Study
You won't learn anything new in the last 24 hours. But you can mentally exhaust yourself. The day before the exam: light review, sleep well, prepare your documents. Arrive at the exam fresh, not burned out.
10. After the Exam: Analyze, Don't Forget
Pass or fail, the exam gives you valuable information. Which sections went well? Where did you lose points? What hadn't you studied? Use this information for the next level (or for your second attempt).
How Kanjidon Applies These Strategies
Kanjidon is built on these principles. Automatic spaced repetition (strategy 7). Kanji in the context of words (strategy 2). Quizzes that force you to produce answers without hints (like the real exam). Gamified daily study that makes consistency easier (strategy 8).
It's not the only resource you'll need. But for kanji, it's the one that makes the difference between 'I studied them' and 'I know them.'
The Bottom Line
The JLPT doesn't reward those who study most. It rewards those who study best. These 10 strategies aren't secrets. They're common sense applied with discipline. Follow them, and exam day will be confirmation of what you already know, not a surprise.
