Preparing for JLPT on July 6? That gives you limited time, so you need a plan that’s high-impact, not overwhelming. N5 + N4 together = ∼325 kanji. Here’s how to actually remember them without burning out.
- Study Kanji in Words, Not by Themselves
The JLPT only tests if you can read kanji in context. Don’t memorize 水 = “water”. Learn 水曜日 = すいようび = Wednesday instead. For each kanji, learn 1 or 2 readings and 2 to 3 common words that actually show up on the test. This saves time and matches how the exam asks questions. Kanji is symbolic lipi so make it remember as a image on a character. - Use Radicals + Short Stories to Remember
Break kanji into parts.
Example: 休 = 亻 person + 木 tree = a person resting by a tree = rest.
You only need the 50 most common radicals to decode most N5 and N4 kanji. Make a silly one sentence story for each. Your brain remembers stories better than strokes. And try to make sentences with each Kanji.
- Do Active Recall Daily with Spaced Repetition
Use Anki, Kanji Study, or paper flashcards. Look at the kanji and force yourself to recall the reading and meaning before flipping. If you get it wrong, review it again the same day. If you get it right, the app shows it days later. 30 to 45 minutes of this daily beats 3 hours of passive re-reading. - Follow a 3 Week Sprint Plan
With July 6 coming up, split the 325 total kanji like this. Week 1: Finish all 103 N5 kanji. Week 2: Cover half of N4, about 110 kanji. Week 3: Finish the rest of N4 and switch to mock tests. Spend your last 2 days only on review, no new kanji. This keeps you moving without cramming. - Practice Recognition Through Reading
Every evening, read N5 or N4 level material like NHK Easy News or graded readers. Circle every kanji you know. You’ll start seeing the same kanji repeat in real sentences. This builds the exact skill the JLPT tests and proves to you that you’re actually learning.