<p>Hey CCers, I have a couple of questions about the AP Japanese Exam.</p>
<p>First of all, I have been self-teaching myself Japanese for about 1 year now since classes are absent at my school. I'm an upcoming senior student and I know about 250 of the 410 AP Kanji.</p>
<p>I'm just wondering what you guys think about this, because I have had some thoughts about not taking it since most of the colleges and universities I'm applying to don't really take into account your score on a AP Japanese Exam.</p>
<p>Also, if anyone can post personal experiences, thoughts, or recommendations regarding the exam, that would be wonderful. :)</p>
<p>I posted my story about self-studying Spanish. If it’s something you love, which I can tell Japanese is for you, then go for it. The key to learning a language is immersion. Besides that, just get comfortable with practice exams.</p>
<p>All the AP language exams are aimed at about 3 to 5 years, I think that taking it after only a year of self study would be difficult. I think that you could do it but you would have to be really diligent.</p>
<p>A diligent Japanese learner can learn far more in a year than a school class can in three years. Japanese classes seem to go even slower than other foreign language classes.</p>
<p>If the universities you apply to don’t take into account your AP Japanese score for placement, don’t take it, since you won’t be able to put it on apps or anything. Would it be feasible for you to take the Japanese SAT II in November (the only month it is offered) instead? </p>
<p>If you do choose to take the AP test, it looks like kanji could be a problem for you, try to focus on them more. Are you good with romaji? Surprisingly, portions of the AP and SAT II test are written in romaji, which can throw off some students who learnt mostly in kana.</p>
<p>@keenezy786 and @Robodl95- Yeah I’ve immersed myself in the language to the point where my parents tell me to take a break every now and then. It’s a really fun language and I really want to test myself whether by means of the AP Exam or the SAT II.</p>
<p>@katica- Yeah, through a year of studies I am very familiar with romaji, though I really hate it. I usually read and write my Japanese in kana/kanji. XD</p>
<p>Just thought I would put it out there, I’ve heard from a couple people who said that it tripped them up at first to not see real Japanese on the test.</p>
<p>So i took it this year and i got a 5 on it. It wasnt hard for me at all cuz i have been learning the language since i was little. (I’m not japanese -.-) All i have to say is that, whatever language it is that you are learning, dont just treat it as a class that you have to pass, really have some passion in it. I know a lot of people who learn japanese b/c of anime their drama and such, thats actually good cuz you have a motivation, plus watching shows in japanese is REALLY helpful in learning the language. So my suggestion is that, if you have the time and interested in anime and their drama, simply watch a lot of them. im not saying taking notes at the same time, you could if you want, but just purely watching it will increase the sense you have in the language. And for kanjis, b/c i have lived in china when i was little so i’m 100% ok with them, for you i guess just write a lot practice a lot make flashcards, you should be fine. I hope this is helpful.</p>
<p>PM me if you have any questions beyond this or need help in japanese im open to help</p>
<p>I got a 5 this year, and as a fellow self-learned for Japanese, I have a trick to learn Kanji.
I learned Kanji by playing games or by reading audiobooks. That way, you can see how they look like and hear how they’re pronounced. 'Cause, see, you don’t need to be able to write the Kanji with your own hands in AP! (you’ll need to in JLPT, cmiiw…)
But, of course, you need to expand your vocabs in order to understand what the kanji means. So, you know, no easy way out.</p>
<p>By the way, just for your information, I learned Japanese subconsciously by watching anime. Like, all of a sudden, I know how to form a sentence saying “Oh, I study Japanese at home.” From there, I just watched tons of anime and expanded my vocabs. So, really, watching anime helps expand your vocab, if anything. Don’t count on it for formal language though, 'cause it’s not commonly used there (hence the reason why i struggle with keigo)</p>
<p>The test itself is mostly English. I know it sounds weird, since it’s a Japanese AP test, but srsly. I was shocked to see how little Japanese was actually in the test. So, no worries on not understanding the question, 'cause they’re in English.</p>
<p>^ if you took Japanese far enough, you’d know that some sounds have dozens of Kanji that’ll appear with the space bar. Flaunting your kanji by putting incorrect kanji makes your writing have unintended meanings.</p>
<p>Couple questions to all those that took the test;</p>
<ul>
<li><p>How much kanji is there? I can recognize 165/410 as of oct, but we’re suppossed to cover 200 more this year. Can you infer in readings?</p></li>
<li><p>Are you required to answer in keigo? Is everything in formal forms?</p></li>
<li><p>How do you interpret spoken Japanese so fast? When I talk to natives, I resort to small head nods while they think I’m following every word.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>How good/motivated is your Japanese and what was your test score? I am super motivated (I listen/watch/read/talk Japanese, and I know lots about Japanese social and historical culture- plus minor otaku).</p>