N1 tests advanced comprehension—dense prose, subtle connectors, topic shifts, and abstract argumentation. Your edge comes from breadth, speed, and precision. Treat N1 as an endurance sport informed by precise technique.
What N1 expects
- ~2,000+ kanji recognition and a very large vocabulary (broad estimate)
- Discourse‑level grammar and connective mastery
- Fast, information‑rich listening
28–40 week plan
- Reading depth (weeks 1–40)
- Editorials, essays, explanations. Summarize each paragraph, then the piece, in Japanese. Note rhetorical roles (topic, claim, support, contrast).
- Practice skim → scan → close read on each passage.
- Vocabulary layers (weeks 1–40)
- Collocations, idioms, kanji variants. Maintain a “minimal pair” deck for near‑synonyms and confusables (要旨 vs 要点; 形容 vs 形状 at awareness level).
- Kanji throughput (weeks 1–40)
- 10–15/day of high‑value items; drill similar shapes with stroke order.
- Organize by phonetic series and variant forms.
- Listening structure (weeks 1–40)
- Predict transitions; shadow fast segments; practice selective note‑taking.
- Identify signpost phrases that shift stance (とはいえ、一方で、要するに、にもかかわらず…).
- Weekly full mock (from mid‑plan)
- One full test every 1–2 weeks; spend more time reviewing than testing.
Monthly cycle
- Weeks 1–3: Volume (reading + vocab + kanji + listening); track metrics.
- Week 4: Consolidation and targeted repair; one full mock and deep review.
Precision habits
- Mark discourse signals (一方で、とはいえ、要するに、にもかかわらず…)
- Track errors by type; write a one‑sentence fix for each.
- Maintain a “confusables” list (形容 vs 形状, 需要 vs 需給, 裁量 vs 裁断). Add a short contrastive example for each pair.
- Summarize arguments in 2–3 lines: claim → support → counter → conclusion.
Reading tactics
- Read the question first to define the task.
- Label paragraph roles, then answer; don’t answer while still mapping.
- Time yourself but prioritize comprehension accuracy before speed.
Listening tactics
- Predict likely endings from setup; verify with audio.
- Note distractors and paraphrases; learn to discard “echo” answers.
- Shadow hard segments and rehearse aloud the answer rationale.
Resources
- Editorials/essays with transcripts; advanced graded material
- Idiom/minimal‑pair lists; discourse connector catalogs
- Kanji variant/look‑alike sets with stroke order
Metrics
- Errors by type and fix rate week‑over‑week
- Reading speed vs comprehension on complex texts
- First‑pass listening accuracy on dense sets
- Confusables resolved this month (measured by quick self‑quiz)
How Kanji Koi helps at N1
- Component/phonetic organization streamlines continued kanji throughput.
- Stroke‑order animations reduce interference among visually similar forms.
- Collocation‑friendly cards store idioms and fixed expressions cleanly.
- Adaptive SRS maintains a steady 10–15/day at advanced levels.
- Offline mode supports frequent micro‑sessions for endurance.
Attach your 2–3 line passage summaries to the cards you create in Kanji Koi. When a connector or idiom resurfaces, you’ll recall the argument pattern it lived in—that context speeds recognition and disambiguation on test day.
FAQ
- Q: How to handle fatigue on long passages?
- A: Label paragraphs (role), summarize, then answer; reset between items.
- Q: Should I memorize every rare word?
- A: No—prioritize high‑yield academic/connective vocabulary and collocations.
- Q: How often should I mock?
- A: Every 1–2 weeks from mid‑plan; review > test.
For kanji consolidation, guided stroke‑order plus component families keeps similar shapes apart and speeds reading.