🌟 Master Your JLPT: The Ultimate Last-Minute Guide to Passing the Exam (Updated for December 2025)
Advice from a Japanese Teacher, Former Prep School Lecturer, School Principal, and Fortune Consultant
The JLPT is approaching quickly, and many test-takers feel the pressure rising.
With the exam fee increasing in recent years and the test held only twice a year in most countries, this is not an exam you want to take lightly.
As a Japanese language teacher, former cram school lecturer, school principal, and fortune advisor, I have coached hundreds of test-takers over the years. What I’ve learned is simple:
👉 Success on the JLPT = Knowledge × Physical Condition × Mental Stability
This guide summarizes everything you should do from now until December 7, so you can walk into the exam room confident and fully prepared.
1. Reset Your Body Clock to Match the Test Schedule
Many learners study late into the night, but this becomes a serious disadvantage on exam day.
To perform your best:
Wake up 2–3 hours before your test start time
Take a short walk to raise your body temperature
Stop late-night studying about one week before the exam
Your brain must be fully “awake” during the exam hours.
This alone can boost performance dramatically.
2. Avoid Illness: Strong Health = Higher Score
December is flu and cold season, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
Avoid unnecessary outings 2–3 days before the test
Strengthen handwashing and mask usage
Keep your room warm and humidified
Avoid raw food, greasy meals, and cold drinks before the test
No matter how well you’ve studied, you cannot win the JLPT with poor health.
3. Eat Wisely Before the Test
Stomach trouble ruins concentration.
Avoid:
Spicy food
Fried food
Dairy
Cold drinks and energy drinks
Best options:
Bananas
Bread / rice
Warm tea or room-temperature water (ideal)
4. Choose Clothing the Day Before (Fortune Tips Included)
Proper clothing directly affects your concentration.
Wear familiar clothes, not brand-new items
Bring layers (temperature changes quickly in December)
For cold regions: gloves, scarves, and heat-tech layers
Avoid uncomfortable accessories or tight shoes
Luck-boosting tip (from fortune work):
Wear red underwear to boost inner energy
Wear calm-colored outerwear to stabilize your mind
Avoid stripe patterns, which symbolize scattered focus
Many students report increased confidence after following this.
5. Turn Off Your Smartphone Completely
Not airplane mode. Not silent mode.
Power OFF.
JLPT rules are strict:
Even a small vibration or alarm can be considered cheating.
Hold the power button and fully shut down the phone
Place it deep inside your bag
Make sure no alarms are set
Don’t risk losing your score because of a single beep.
6. Bring at Least 3 Pencils (Not Mechanical Pencils!)
This is an extremely important point.
JLPT answer sheets are optimized for HB pencils, not mechanical ones.
Bring 3–4 pencils
Do NOT sharpen the tips too much
Pre-test all pencils by marking sample questions
Blunt pencil tips fill bubbles faster and prevent accidental lead breakage.
7. Study the Exam Location Like Your Life Depends on It
Every year, many students panic because:
They can’t find the right building
The campus is too big
They go to the wrong classroom
Before exam day:
Use Google Maps to check the route
Look up building numbers, floors, and room names
Consider Sunday public transport schedules
Plan to arrive 30 minutes early
This alone saves your mental energy.
8. Warm Your Ears Before the Listening Test
This is a proven technique from my prep-school days.
Cold ears = poor listening focus.
Just before listening:
Cover both ears with your hands and warm them
Gently massage behind your ears and temples
Students say this instantly boosts clarity by 20–30%.
Try it—you will be amazed.
9. Focus on “Not Losing Points” in the Final Week
Last-minute JLPT success depends on smart review, not new knowledge.
Review:
Grammar forms you often mix up
Nouns/verbs with similar meanings
Your weakest reading question types
Listening patterns for numbers, opinions, and summaries
Remember:
👉 JLPT does NOT require 100%.
👉 About 80% is enough to pass.
Time management beats perfectionism.
10. Use the Last 5 Minutes Wisely
The final 5 minutes can change your score significantly.
Check:
Name and registration number
Double-bubble mistakes
Entire rows accidentally skipped
Misalignment of answers
Many students lose 10–20 points simply by rushing.
Slow down and protect your score.
11. During Breaks: Always Go to the Bathroom + Walk
Do NOT discuss answers.
Do NOT recheck the test.
This only increases anxiety.
Instead:
Walk around for 2 minutes
Stretch your arms and shoulders
Breathe slowly
Drink a small amount of water
You must reset your brain between each section.
12. After the Test: Leave Immediately
The JLPT is mentally and physically exhausting.
Your immune system drops sharply afterward.
Go home.
Eat warm food.
Rest well.
Recovery is part of success.
🌈 Final Message: Your Preparation Will Carry You Forward
The JLPT is more than a language test.
It is a challenge of discipline, timing, and emotional control.
This guide combines my experience as:
A Japanese teacher
A former prep-school lecturer
A school principal
A professional fortune consultant
Your ability.
Your effort.
Your preparation.
Your balance.
These four pillars will determine your result on December 7.
I hope this guide gives you clarity and a calm heart leading up to the exam.
You have already come far.
Believe in your training.
Walk in with confidence.
🌟 You CAN pass.
🌟 You WILL pass.
🌟 And I’m cheering for you.
https://sairyu-sensei.com/japanese-tutor-i…-and-confidently/
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