Introduction: Why I Decided to Take the JLPT As someone who has always been fascinated by Japanese culture, language, and technology, learning Japanese has been a personal goal for quite some time. I started studying the language a couple of years ago, with the aim of deepening my understanding of Japan’s rich culture and possibly working or studying there in the future. The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has always been a benchmark for learners like me, and this December, I finally took the N4 level. With my goal set on passing the N3 in July 2025, I wanted to reflect on my journey so far and share what I’ve learned with others who are also on the path to mastering Japanese. Understanding the JLPT: The Structure and What It Tests The JLPT is divided into five levels, with N5 being the easiest and N1 being the most advanced. The test assesses four core skills: vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. N4, which I just completed, tests an intermediate level of profic...