N5 and N4 gaps after beginner textbooks
Use official samples to separate language-knowledge, reading and listening gaps.
Use an exam task as the baseline
Read the target N5 or N4 description and attempt official samples while retaining first answers. A completed Minna or Standard Japanese volume is course progress, not pass evidence. Separate strong vocabulary from weak listening; apparent speed problems may involve retrieval or missed conditions.
Repair the weakest task with textbook work
For slow reading, distinguish form parsing from information search; add short timed tasks only when comprehension is available. For missed time or negatives, use a matching textbook segment and recheck with a new question. Do not replace weak-task repair with more of your favourite vocabulary items.
Allocate a limited preparation window
With eight weeks and 30 minutes daily, diagnose a small sample first, assign the main slot to the weakest task and retain old-error checks. Use a fresh comparable item weekly instead of mandate lessons per day. A short window does not guarantee a pass; revise the goal and allocation when multiple gaps remain.
Example
Original listening-information task: 「明日は行きません。土曜日に行きます。」Recover the actual day rather than the first day heard. This is not an official exam item.
Check your understanding
Classify a sample error as vocabulary, form, relation, time/condition or task instruction.
Explanation
Repair with a small related textbook task and check a fresh item; a corrected familiar answer alone is insufficient.
Find your question
- I finished Standard Japanese beginner books and N4 is eight weeks away. With 30 minutes daily, what should I prioritise?
- I finished Minna Elementary II but N4 reading is slow. Should I work on grammar or timed short passages?
- N4 vocabulary is strong but listening is weak. How can I stop practising only my strongest question type?
- I lose marks on negatives and time in N4 samples. How can I find relevant textbook tasks?
- I finished the beginner book but N5 listening still feels fast. How do I choose a repair task?