Level up your Japanese! Use these proven tips to prepare smartly and pass the JLPT N3 with confidence.

📝 1. Know the Exam Format

JLPT N3 bridges beginner (N4) and intermediate (N2) levels. It includes:

• Language Knowledge (Vocabulary + Grammar) – ~30 minutes
• Reading Comprehension – ~40 minutes
• Listening Comprehension – ~40 minutes

👉 Tip: Time management is key—practice with real past tests.

📚 2. Deepen Your Grammar Understanding

Expect intermediate grammar like:

• ～ようにする (make an effort to…)
• ～てしまう (do completely / accidentally)
• ～ばかり (just did…)
• ～ことにする (decide to…)

👉 Tip: Don’t just memorize—apply grammar in writing and speaking.

🉐 3. Expand Vocabulary & Kanji

For N3, aim for:

• 3,000–4,000 words
• 600–700 kanji

👉 Tip: Study in themes (e.g., health, business, school) and focus on context, not isolated words.

Use apps like:

• Anki – Spaced repetition
• KameSame / KaniWani – Reverse vocab practice
• WaniKani – Kanji learning with mnemonics

📖 4. Build Reading Skills

The reading section includes:

• Short essays
• Notices and ads
• Opinion texts

👉 Tip: Read every day—news apps like NHK Easy, graded readers, or manga with furigana.

Focus on:

• Identifying the main idea
• Skimming and scanning for answers
• Recognizing transition words (しかし, だから, それに)

👂 5. Train Your Listening

Audio is faster and more natural than N4. You’ll hear:

• Conversations at work or school
• Public announcements
• Short opinion exchanges

👉 Tip: Shadow native audio and pause to repeat phrases. Try listening to JLPT podcasts, or use apps like JLPT Listening Practice, or YouTube channels with transcripts.

📆 6. Study Strategy: Smart & Consistent

• Set a weekly study goal (e.g., 50 new words, 5 grammar points)
• Mix active and passive learning:
  📖 Read aloud, 🗣️ speak daily, 🎧 listen everywhere
• Take mock exams every 2–3 weeks to track progress

👉 Tip: Review mistakes deeply—understand why you got it wrong.

🧘‍♀️ 7. Test Day Tips

• ✅ Arrive early, with your ID and test voucher
• ✅ Listen carefully—audio is played only once
• ✅ Don’t dwell on hard questions—move on and return if time allows
• ✅ Stay calm and confident—you’ve trained for this!

✅ Final Advice

JLPT N3 is a big step. But with consistent effort, it’s absolutely achievable. Mix fun (dramas, anime, light novels) with study to stay motivated.

“習うより慣れろ” – Practice makes perfect.