No Test Content Specifications!?

[qwyrxian]

I've used the main site for quite a while, studying for level 3 (old), but i've never posted on the forums before. I am planning to taking N3 in 2010...I was looking at the official material today, and I see that they are intentionally not releasing a Test Content Specification guide. I don't get it. How is it possible to study kanji and vocabulary without some sort of baseline for what level we need to be reaching? I can understand not releasing a vocabulary list--most foreign language exams don't (TOEFL and TOEIC come to mind), although the tests are well established, with only a single level, so numerous private companies have done a good job compiling key lists. But with kanji, you're in a position where you either know a given kanji, or don't. There are no roots or affixes (or, what there are are more often misleading than helpful), there are no other languages to reference (save for Chinese), no other strategies you can use.

Without a list, it seems like, at least for kanji (and vocabulary to a lesser part), I honestly can't think of anywhere to start other than just learning as many of the Old level 2 as I can. I mean, even Japanese native students have specific list, decided by the government, of what they need to study. And that's all they'd really need to do--say, N4 = Grade 3, N3 = Grade 6, whatever.

Any one have any ideas? Reading that there would be no content specifications just made my stomach crash.

[Gabriel]

I just bought yesterday a book called [新しい日本語能力試験」ガイドブック]. It`s made by the compagny Bonjinsha [凡人社]. It`s a test preparation book for the new test, level N3 N2 and N1.

I`m an 1kyuu(old) beginner and by browsing through this book I think that you`ll have no other choice than to aim for the completeness of 2kyuu(old).

The equivalent of Xkyuu in NX should be, from the information I picked up on the net, like this:

4kyuu = N5
3kyuu = N4
2kyuu = N3 and N2
1kyuu = N1

The problem is, "where" is the 2kyuu splitted half? What will be in N3 and what will be in N2? Like you wrote, there won`t be a Test Content Specification guide. All I can say is be safe and study for the 2kyuu.

Don`t forget that the most important thing is not the "I passed" paper but the knowleged earned.

[spurrymoses]

[NeWbY]

Weren't they gonna add a rule stating you need to pass every individual section with at least x% to pass?

I don't really care whether they keep it secret or not, but I agree with your statement for N3 people. Since there is no way of knowing what will show up and what won't your best bet is to study for JLPT2 with N3 in mind. Even though this is far more than necessary.

[Zashiki Warashi]

I believe that for N3 one would need to know about 600-700 kanji. If I'm correct, grade 1 to 6 Jouyou kanji list consists of 674 kanji. The 4kyuu and 3kyuu lists consist of 284 kanji, all of them are also in grade 1 to 6 Jouyou list. N3 should require all 3kyuu kanji + 316-416 more. Due to the fact that the number 674 is included in the 600-700 interval, I believe that N3 would require all Jouyou kanji up to secondary school list and maybe a few more common secondary school ones. I think that's how I would study for N3 if I had to.

[ericspinelli]

[spurrymoses]

[Zashiki Warashi]