Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: university recommendation/JLPT

  1. #1
    Junior Member Female
    Join Date Apr 8, 2007
    Location singapore
    Posts 3
    Singapore

    university recommendation/JLPT


    国際交流パーティー - Tokyo International Party

    Hi. I was wondering if it is possible to take JLPT Level 1 without taking JLPT Level 4, 3 and 2. I know it's going to be tough but I am going to take one year off to study for it - self study. I have learn bahasa indonesia, malay and chinese [self study too] within one year so I am praying and hoping that this would not be a problem for me too.
    Could anyone recommend a good university for someone who is interested in economics and computer engineering? A friend of mine recommended Keio, Waseda and Meiji.
    And is USD1500 per month enough for a student?
    I am thinking of studying and staying put in Japan in two years time
  2. #2
    Back Male
    Join Date May 19, 2006
    Location Rotterdam - ロッテ
    Posts 1,214
    Netherlands
    [FONT="Trebuchet MS"] Hi. I was wondering if it is possible to take JLPT Level 1 without taking JLPT Level 4, 3 and 2.
    I certainly hope so!! I plan to do the same this year..
  3. #3
    Resident Realist Male
    Join Date Aug 8, 2005
    Location All Over
    Posts 4,167
    USA - California
    You should take whichever level you feel comfortable with; it does not matter if you have taken any other test before. Have you been studying Japanese long, or are you just starting? You would be quite a demon to pass level 1 after only a year of study.

    I would recommend doing a bit more research into universities, and what kind of programs they offer for non-native students. If you intend to compete with native Japanese students, you have your work cut out for you.
  4. #4
    遠いから行きません Male
    Join Date Nov 25, 2004
    Location Tokyo
    Posts 1,205
    Japan-Tokyo
    You would be quite a demon to pass level 1 after only a year of study.
    I do not think this is possible. There are bits in the test that require knowing intricacies that the human brain cannot memorize in a mere year. There are parts of the test you must "feel", and you're not going to get that out of a book.

    That, mixed w/ the fact that everyone I know that's passed it lived in Japan for years doesn't help.
  5. #5
    Tubthumper Male
    Join Date Mar 5, 2006
    Location Japan
    Age 30
    Posts 1,423
    Japan-Kyoto
    I heard about a guy who passed after about 2 1/2 years of study. I was pretty incredulous, but apparently it's true. 1 year does sound impossible to me.
  6. #6
    Just me Male
    Join Date Aug 20, 2003
    Location Hokkaido, Japan (American)
    Posts 2,965
    Japan-Hokkaido
    If you are just starting out to study Japanese, it will be a miraculous feat to pass 1-kyu. I don't think there is any restriction against people taking it, but you have to be some sort of wizard or have tons of time on your hands to pass within a year through self-study.

    USD1500 amounts to about 178,000 yen at today's exchange rate. Bare subsistence wages, but I don't know what dormitories ask, or if you plan to stay in your own apartment. Go the latter route, and you may have to pay 5 times that amount just to move into a bare apartment (that means nothing there, from appliances to light fixtures). You're going to need pretty high level Japanese to attend those schools, too, but I think you already realize that and may just be planning ahead. If so, I'd say plan further ahead.
  7. #7
    Junior Member Female
    Join Date Apr 8, 2007
    Location singapore
    Posts 3
    Singapore
    Hahahahaha...
    Thanks guys for the information =) Maybe one year seem very short but I am taking the entire year off from school to study intensively for this exam with help from my Japanese friend. At current moment, I could only speak and hold a full conversation but writing and reading ... that's a whole different story unless of course it’s in romanji.
    I am no demon by the way... hehehehe. I started out 5 months ago with LOTS of help but sadly, my grammer still need alot of brushing up. Easiest way to learn it is to use it in your daily conversation. It's fun when you speak and others gave you the confused look =)
    And yeah, I know that Keio, Waseda and Meiji are hard to get in but who knows ... might not be impossible but I would never dream of getting into Todai - I think its way off my limits. But plan of studying in Japan are not finalize yet. I may just start working before you know it after sitting for the JLPT exam as in my country, those who have the ability to speak in Japanese are well sought after and the income are quite lucrative – from what I heard ah.
    But I just want to know if it is possible to take JLPT Level 1 without the need to take Level 4, 3 and 2 because I find taking each Level per year rather time consuming and I do not think I have that. At most two years.
    So.... is it possible??
  8. #8
    Resident Realist Male
    Join Date Aug 8, 2005
    Location All Over
    Posts 4,167
    USA - California
    Even with a lot of work, considering your current level of literacy, level 2 would be quite an accomplishment. Again, you can sign up for any level you want, but you should look at the sample tests and decide which one is the most appropriate.
  9. #9
    Delusions of Adequacy Male
    Join Date Mar 15, 2002
    Location Japan
    Posts 8,703
    Japan-Gunma
    Why is it that seemingly everyone who has huge plans for coming to Japan also is in one hell of a hurry?
  10. #10
    Back Male
    Join Date May 19, 2006
    Location Rotterdam - ロッテ
    Posts 1,214
    Netherlands
    Why is it that seemingly everyone who has huge plans for coming to Japan also is in one hell of a hurry?
    Maybe they're afraid the novelty will have worn off by the time they finished the preparations?
  11. #11
    遠いから行きません Male
    Join Date Nov 25, 2004
    Location Tokyo
    Posts 1,205
    Japan-Tokyo
    I think a year of intensive university (3 hours a day of class, plus study time) would still not be enough for a passing 1-kyu grade... regardless of history of other langauges.

    I can buy 2 1/2 years if the person lived in Japan the whole time. Took me 10, but I didn't really study (well, not much) for years 4 through 9.
  12. #12
    Junior Member Female
    Join Date Apr 8, 2007
    Location singapore
    Posts 3
    Singapore
    No harm trying to accomplish it within one year. If I failed, atleast I tried and there is always a second try
    Good question ... why am I in a rush? I don't know. Maybe pressure from my family? I am the youngest and I am the only one who knows four languages while the rest know more than that. Trying to keep up with the family I guess.
  13. #13
    Tubthumper Male
    Join Date Mar 5, 2006
    Location Japan
    Age 30
    Posts 1,423
    Japan-Kyoto
    Well, having learned that many languages you'll probably have an easier time than someone who only knows only one, but it still sounds farfetched. You said you learned Chinese in one year so I assume that means you can read about 3000 Chinese characters, yes? You need to know about 2000 to pass JLPT 1, but Japanese of course does not use them exactly like Chinese does. Good luck, at any rate.

Similar Threads

  1. anime recommendation for me
    By Alma in forum Anime & Manga
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: Mar 28, 2011, 15:33
  2. Shop recommendation to buy SLR digicam
    By ghettoracer in forum Japan Practical
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: Apr 2, 2007, 13:16
  3. Replies: 5
    Last Post: Jan 4, 2007, 11:46
  4. Looking for Book Recommendation
    By Kaian88 in forum Textbooks, tests and language schools
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: Jun 22, 2006, 20:24
  5. recommendation!!!
    By nkhking in forum All Things Japanese
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: Nov 6, 2002, 20:04

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

About JREF

JREF is a travel, language and study guide on all things Japanese, with a constantly growing travel section, a discussion forum, a section on Japanese language, a Japan gallery, a comprehensive directory, a Japan-related classifieds section and a place where you can find Japanese friends, pen pals, or more.
Copyright © 1999-2013 Japan Reference All Rights Reserved