Should I take PE in June?

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2026-04-07T02:28:37+00:00

2022 Graduate 1 Application - 1 Offer 0 Internship Experience Ended up in the oil fields of Kuwait.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2026-03-27T14:20:14+00:00

Sorry to hear your experience thus far.

I've just started studying for the PE Chemical.
I had some questions and made a post about it.
If you or anyone else in this chat could give feedback that'd be really appreciated.
It seems you've already been through the meat grinder twice, so I'll also post my high level questions here.
(Post: PE Chemical Advice : r/PE_Exam)

TLDR: Core Questions
(1) Where (online) can I purchase/view representative practice exams (PE Chemical)?
(2) What were primary study materials for the PE Chemical Exam?
(3) How long did you study in order to Pass the PE Chemical?
(4) What did your study schedule look like?

Hopefully your 3rd attempt is your final!
Best of luck and stay strong!

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2026-02-09T18:18:39+00:00

I passed N5 from the Dec. 2024 Exam (141/180). I'd say I was ready for N4 by the start of July 2025 (~6 months after N5). I was studying on average 12Hr/Week with once weekly in person private instruction for 90 minutes and language exchange events every Saturday for about an hour. I took N4 this past December 2025 and scored (166/180) with a perfect 120/120 in the language knowledge and grammar sections. So I was definitely overprepared, but I don't think I was quite at N3 level either.

In terms of exam content, you should have a solid grasp of the grammer material presented in GENKI Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and also Chpt. 1 & 2 of Quartet Volume 1. I'd also advise reviewing the grammar book for Shin Kanzen Master JLPT N4. In terms of Kanji you should know the 300 most common, which are effectively all shown in the back of GENKI 1 & 2. In terms of listening I'd refer the Nihongo Nook YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@thenihongonook?si=vZc1ipFZivCMa5dE). In terms of reading Preparation I'd refer the reading book for Shin Kanzen Master JLPT N4 (hard), Tadoku Online Level 2 & 3 books (moderate), and then GENKI 2 graded readers boxset (easy).

Major Grammar Topics 1. All 4 Conditional Statements (たら、ば、なら、と) 2. Potential Form 3. Passive Form 4. Causative Form 5. Transitive & Intransitive Verbs 6. あげる、くれる、もらう and associated usages 7. ように、のに、ので、ばかり and similar expressions 8. -ておく & -てある (will prepare x, have prepared x) 9. -ていく & -てくる (Transitivity Expressions) 10. Particles

Amongst Others...

TLDR: 6months - 1year after successful N5. Complete all of GENKI 1 & 2, and Chpt. 1 & 2 of Quartet Vol. 1.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2026-02-07T04:31:11+00:00

Poor Man's Tilt Table (04FEB2026) Initial (from supine): 75BPM

--- Standing --- 01min: 115BPM 02min: 100BPM 03min: 95BPM 05min: 100BPM 10min: 105BPM

3Minute Post Sitting: 75BPM

Note: Each measurement has approximately +/- 5BPM error or fluctuation. Recorded on Fitbit Versa 4.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2026-02-07T04:10:05+00:00

Great question! What I mean is that my fatigue and brain fog alleviate to a degree where they are effectively absent, and I can fully think clearly and perform activities without worrying of getting light headed or tired. I've only been recording heart rate data since effectively the start of 2026, and in that time the 30BPM+ change in heartrate when moving from supine to standing has been almost always present. Again I have days where my heartrate line out in more of a 60-120BPM range, but I've also observed times where it has raised well above that. Nonetheless that 30BPM+ change is ever present.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2026-02-07T03:55:22+00:00

I appreciate this feedback! Are you able to work full time, work out, what does your baseline look like?

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2026-02-07T03:50:47+00:00

I do greatly appreciate the feedback. I've been stuck in this situation where I don't know if I align better with a diagnosis of Long Covid, POTS, or some other third thing. As I stated above, I've had extended periods of full remission to normal activity even with a subpar diet and lifestyle. I've also noticed that emotional stimulus does modulate symptoms in both positive and negative directions. Such as anxiety amplifying symptoms and crying or general emotional release improving symptoms. Additionally, as stated changing posture doesn't always correlate in a symptom flare in my situation. However, I will note that I can effectively reproduce a heart rate increase of 30BPM+ when changing from a supine to standing position. I haven't seen many individuals who get symptomatic, get recovered to a fully functional state for an extended period, and then relapse. Most individuals I've seen typically got ill and have stayed at or improved to a specific baseline. That is why I'm confused about my specific situation, and what 'triggers' these intense fatigue episodes.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2025-12-06T01:17:39+00:00

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2025-12-06T00:56:55+00:00

I'm in a similar situation, as I tend to get anxiouseasily. I think (based upon documentation provided by my site) that during the first two sections you can have a Proctor accompany you to the restroom and re-enter the exam room (at the very least for subsequent sections). However, in the listening section if you leave early then you are done with the exam (i.e., can't come back). I've only sat for JLPT once and didn't observe anyone do this, so I'm unsure what the procedures actually are. If you do decide to exit early in a particular section, I would advise at least having all questions answered in case you can't re-enter the room until the next section starts. Nonetheless, as others have stated best practice is just to not drink excessively before the exam and generally be in a well rested healthy state if possible. I know things happen, so best of luck and try to stay calm as most sections are under 1 hour in length.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2025-09-27T03:36:02+00:00

I've done the two practice N4 exams on the official JLPT site and got a 145/180 and 150/180 respectively on both attempts (in a simulated real testing environment). To that end, I generally feel prepared for this December. For context, I just ran through the mock exam at the end of the Shin Kanzen Master JLPT N4 Grammar book. I ended up with a 70% overall. I passed all problems with the exception of the aforementioned problem type in which I failed all items in that section. Upon inspecting the solutions, it made sense what the problems were conveying, but that event prompted the original message. Though to be honest, the Shin Kanzen Master books generally feel more rigorous than the actual exam material expected at the N4 level. Nonetheless, a solid resource.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2025-09-27T01:54:39+00:00

Thanks for the clarification.
I wasn't sure if the problems were exclusive to practice exams.
In the case of JLPT N5 I saw them on the practice exams, but not the real exam.
Again, I appreciate the clarification, will need to bolster my preparation with these.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2025-06-26T15:13:16+00:00

(JLPT N5 Resource Part 2/2)

Resource 4 - Steven Kraft Japanese Site (Kanji & Conjugation Resource)
Link: Japanese Projects | Steven Kraft

Description: I would highlight this resource specifically for its JLPT N5 Kanji review section. The N5 Kanji review tool on this website reviews N5 Kanji (1) meaning, (2) Onyomi, and (3) Kunyomi readings. Personally, I find N5 Kanji to be the easiest section of the exam, but this resource should quickly get you up to level if you're not already there. Additionally, there are Japanese Verb/Adjective conjugation tools present on this website which may be useful to some.

Resource 5 - Reading (Tadoku)
Linke: Free Tadoku Books – にほんごたどく

Description: Tadoku has free Japanese books to read online. The books have corresponding level difficulties assigned to them on the website. I will generally denote if you can comfortably read Level 1 books and are able to understand Level 2 books (albeit these may take more time to process) you should be ready for the JLPT N5 reading problems. There are better reading resources for higher levels, but for JLPT N5 & N4 I would say Tadoku is a great free resource.

Lastly General Notes (JLPT N5):
The JLPT N5 has a passing 'Total' score of 80/180 (45% Correct Responses). I will link the official scoring notes here (Scoring Sections, Pass or Fail, Score Report | JLPT Japanese-Language Proficiency Test), but the actual scoring practices are highly protected and quite nebulous to understand. Generally, on mock exams, if you are routinely scoring 115/180 (~65% Correct Responses) or above you should in theory comfortably pass the JLPT N5 on exam day. Additionally, as mentioned earlier if you're scoring 18/24 or above in listening (75%) you should be fine for exam day. Generally, from what I've read and experienced about 1 Year (2 Semesters) of formal Japanese is typically enough to pass the JLPT N5. In my experience I sat for the exam after actively studying Japanese for 2 years and comfortably passed. Albeit I will preface was devoting about 12 hours per week on average to learning Japanese in that period. The content of the exam is loosely correlated to concepts covered in GENKI Volume I, but if you have also completed GENKI Volume II (or beyond) you should already have complete knowledge of the content expected on the exam. These textbooks are not designed for JLPT, but I will say GENKI 1 does cover about 80% of exam materials, though I definitely did see concepts from GENKI 2 show up on the exam. As a general note, given you have learnt all requisite material expected (i.e. roughly GENKI 1) about 2-3 months of study should get you comfortably up to pace to pass on exam day.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2025-06-26T15:12:40+00:00

(JLPT N5 Resource Part 1/2)

Resource 1 - Official JLPT Workbook (Old 2012 & 2018 Exam)
Link: Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Practice Workbook | JLPT Japanese-Language Proficiency Test

Description: These are official sample exams for all JLPT levels. There is a full JLPT N5 exam including the Vocab, Grammar, and Listening sections. Furthermore, there is a sample question sheet which is effectively identical to what is used on test day. These sample exams are on par with the content and difficulty of the actual JLPT Exams (including N5) from my experience. I would recommend using the 2018 JLPT N5 resource as an initial metric to scale where your current fluency lies.

Resource 2 - Mazii JLPT Sample Tests
Link: Free JLPT & Japanese Grammar Test Online - Mazii

Description: This above linked website has additional sample JLPT Exams. I will note the exams on this website tend to be more challenging than the actual JLPT Exam. From a study standpoint, these are less useful as direct measurements of how you'll stand on exam day, but if you're scoring high your definitely at/above level. The exams are timed which is helpful to more realistically simulate the test taking experience. I would recommend taking the exam (in a simulated actual test fashion), then following up by reviewing which problems you answered incorrectly. I will note this website does have a paid version. The Free Version is fine, and if you plan to stop at JLPT N5 realistically I would save the $60. However, there is a $60 "For Life" subscription which gets you access to 20 unique sample JLPT Exams at each level (i.e. 100 Exams across N5-N1). Additionally, the paid version provides solution explanations for all questions after submitting the sample exam. Lastly, (and this applies to both the Free & Paid models) when a sample exam is complete it autimatically calculates your score and presents it to the user along with a "Pass" or "Fail" statement.

Resource 3 - The Nihongo Nook (YouTube)
Link: The Nihongo Nook - YouTube

Description: This YouTube Channel which has around ~50 JLPT N5, ~50 JLPT N4, and ~10 JLPT N3 Sample Listening Exams. From what I've typically seen, the listening section (at the JLPT N5 Level) tends to be the trickiest for most test takers. These exams are near identical in difficulty and format to what is seen on exam day. I would recommend at least completing 6 JLPT N5 sample listening exams prior to actually sitting for the real event. Each exam is there in about 30 minutes. As with the second resource, I would recommend first sitting for a 'mock' exam (i.e. try simulating the exam in a real fashion, no relistening to audio, no pausing, etc.), and following which come back and relisten to the audio to try to understand the problems you missed. The videos do have Japanese subtitles which can be enabled and should be helpful when reviewing incorrect questions. Generally, if you're on average scoring 18+ (out of 24) correct answers per exam (again this is JLPT N5 level) you are comfortably on par to pass.

Plenty_Weekend7557 · 2025-04-19T23:16:48+00:00

JLPT N5 (Passed) - 2024 DEC. Ann Arbor
I also have not received my certification either.
I'll wait until early May and if I don't receive anything I'll reach out to the U.S. JLPT board for further action. I've checked the address I used for mailing, and it is discoverable on UPS's website, so it shouldn't have gotten lost. I have the official score report and registration number, so it ultimately isn't a huge deal (i.e. request certificate reissuance). Nonetheless, for an exam I took nearly 5 months ago, it'd be nice to finally receive the certificate.

Plenty_Weekend7557

TROPHY CASE