The Nihongo Achievement Test (NAT-TEST) is a crucial Japanese language proficiency exam that evaluates candidates in vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. Among these, reading comprehension is often a challenge due to the need for fast processing of kanji, sentence structures, and complex passages. Please find the NAT-TEST Reading Comprehension tips and tricks.
Whether you’re preparing for NAT N5 (beginner level) or NAT N4 (elementary level), mastering reading strategies will boost your score and help you achieve your NAT-TEST Certificate. This in-depth guide provides expert techniques, structured practice methods, and study resources to excel in the reading section of the NAT-TEST.
Understanding the Japanese NAT Test Sections
Before jumping into reading strategies, it’s essential to understand the different sections of the NAT-TEST and how they contribute to your overall score.
๐ Breakdown of the NAT-TEST Sections:
โ Vocabulary & Grammar โ Tests your knowledge of Japanese words, phrases, and sentence structures.
โ Reading Comprehension โ Assesses how well you can understand written Japanese passages.
โ Listening Comprehension โ Evaluates your ability to process spoken Japanese in real-world contexts.
Since reading comprehension requires analyzing different passage types, identifying main ideas, and extracting key details, it is one of the most time-consuming sections. Effective preparation ensures accuracy while managing time efficiently.
๐น Pro Tip: Practice with real exam-style passages to simulate test conditions and increase reading speed.
To enhance your overall performance in the NAT-Test, improving your listening skills is crucial. For a complete guide on mastering listening for the NAT-Test, check out our detailed post on How to Improve Listening Skills for the NAT-Test.
Effective Strategies for NAT-TEST Reading Comprehension
To maximize efficiency and accuracy, apply structured reading techniques that help you grasp important information quickly.
โ a) Skimming & Scanning Techniques
๐ Skimming (้่ชญ โ Soku-doku): Read quickly to understand the overall theme of the passage.
๐ Scanning (ๆพใ่ชญใฟ โ Hiroi-yomi): Look for specific words, phrases, and numbers that help answer questions faster.
๐ฏ How to Apply These Techniques in NAT-TEST:
โ First, skim the entire passage (30-40 seconds) to get the main idea.
โ Next, read the question carefully to determine what information is required.
โ Scan the passage to find specific keywords and relevant sentences.
๐น Pro Tip: Use bolded words, kanji, numbers, and transition phrases as hints to find answers quickly.
โ b) Recognizing Context Clues (ๆ่ใฎๆใใใ โ Bunmyaku no tegakari)
Even if you donโt understand every word, you can still guess the meaning using context clues.
๐ฏ How to Use Context Clues in Reading Comprehension:
โ Look at surrounding words โ Kanji or hiragana around an unknown word often provide hints about meaning.
โ Identify synonyms and antonyms โ Example: If you see ใใใ (shikashi โ however), the next sentence likely contradicts the previous one.
โ Understand sentence structure โ Japanese uses particles (ใฏ, ใ, ใซ, ใ) and conjunctions to show relationships between ideas.
๐น Pro Tip: Even if you donโt know a word, try to guess its meaning based on topic context rather than wasting time translating every single word.
Understanding the NAT Test Format is essential for effective preparation. Familiarize yourself with the test sections and structure to improve your chances of success.
โ c) Identifying Keywords & Connectors for Logical Flow
Japanese text often contains transition words that signal relationships between ideas. Recognizing these connectors will help you predict answers quickly.
๐ฏ Common NAT-TEST Transition Words:
โ ใใใ (shikashi) โ However โ Shows contrast.
โ ใ ใใ (dakara) โ Therefore โ Indicates result.
โ ใคใพใ (tsumari) โ In short โ Summarizes information.
โ ไพใใฐ (tatoeba) โ For example โ Introduces supporting details.
๐น Pro Tip: Underline these connectors while reading passages. They reveal the structure of the text, making it easier to answer questions correctly.
Comprehension Techniques for Different Question Types
The NAT-TEST reading section includes various question formats that test different comprehension skills.
โ a) Answering Main Idea Questions
๐ How to Identify the Main Idea:
โ The first or last sentence often contains the topic sentence.
โ Summarize the passage in your own words before looking at answer choices.
โ Avoid distractors โ Some choices include extra details but not the main idea.
๐น Pro Tip: If two answer choices seem correct, choose the broader, more general one.
To get a better understanding of which level to target for your preparation, it’s essential to know the NAT Test Levels and what each level entails. This will guide you in setting realistic study goals.
โ b) Handling Inference-Based Questions
๐ How to Make Accurate Inferences:
โ Look for indirect hints rather than expecting a direct answer in the passage.
โ Eliminate wrong answers that contradict information in the passage.
โ Use background knowledge โ If a passage is about seasons in Japan, knowing that sakura blooms in spring helps you infer seasonal references.
๐น Pro Tip: Inference questions test logical reasoning, not just word recognition.
โ c) Tackling Vocabulary & Kanji Questions
๐ How to Recognize and Decode Kanji Efficiently:
โ Practice high-frequency NAT N5 & N4 kanji before the exam.
โ Use radicals to guess unknown kanji meanings (e.g., ๆฐด in ๆณณใ = related to water/swimming).
โ Use past NAT N5 mock tests for kanji and vocabulary exercises.
๐น Pro Tip: When unsure about a kanjiโs meaning, compare it to similar words in the passage to find clues.
How to Improve NAT-TEST Pass Score
To increase your reading comprehension score, apply these daily study habits:
โ Read for at least 30 minutes daily โ Choose articles, stories, or news in Japanese.
โ Practice past exam papers โ NAT-TEST follows a consistent question format.
โ Summarize passages in Japanese โ Helps reinforce comprehension skills.
โ Use online dictionaries (Jisho, Yomiwa) โ Builds efficient vocabulary recognition.
โ Time yourself โ Work on speed and accuracy to finish within the allotted test time.
๐น Pro Tip: Simulate the real exam experience by setting a timer and avoiding distractions.
Understanding the NAT Test Fee is crucial for budgeting your Japanese language proficiency journey. Be sure to check the specific fee structure for your region to plan accordingly.
NAT N5 & N4 Mock Tests โ Importance & Benefits
Preparing for the NAT-TEST (Nihongo Achievement Test) requires more than just studying vocabulary and grammar. To truly excel, you must practice under real exam conditions, and the best way to do this is through mock tests.
Mock tests simulate the actual exam environment, allowing you to test your skills, build confidence, and refine your time management strategies. Hereโs why regularly taking NAT N5 & N4 mock tests is crucial for achieving a high score:
Why Are Mock Tests Important?
โ 1. Get Familiar with the NAT-TEST Format & Question Types
The NAT-TEST follows a specific structure, and each section comes with unique challenges. By taking mock tests, youโll develop a deep understanding of:
๐น Question formats โ How different questions are framed and what to expect.
๐น Difficulty level โ The complexity of questions in NAT N5 (beginner) vs. NAT N4 (elementary).
๐น Common patterns โ Certain question styles repeat in every exam; recognizing them gives you an edge.
๐น Pro Tip: Regular exposure to mock test patterns will help reduce exam anxiety and boost your confidence on test day.
โ 2. Improve Reading Speed & Accuracy Under Time Constraints
In the actual NAT-TEST, time is limited, and slow reading can cost you valuable points. Mock tests help you:
๐ Train your brain to process Japanese faster.
๐ Develop efficient skimming & scanning skills to find answers quickly.
๐ Avoid wasting time on difficult questions by practicing smart time allocation.
๐น Pro Tip: After each mock test, analyze how long you spent on each section. If reading comprehension takes too much time, practice skimming strategies to boost speed without losing accuracy.
โ 3. Identify Weak Areas & Targeted Improvement
Mock tests highlight your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus on areas that need more practice. After every test:
โ
Review your mistakes carefully to understand where you went wrong.
โ
Analyze difficult kanji or grammar points and add them to your study list.
โ
Recognize patterns in wrong answers โ Are you misinterpreting questions? Are you guessing too much?
๐น Pro Tip: Keep a “Mistake Journal” where you write down errors, their corrections, and an example sentence using the correct structure. Reviewing this weekly will significantly improve retention.
โ 4. Build Exam Stamina & Confidence
Taking a full-length NAT mock test helps you develop the endurance needed for the actual exam. Many students struggle with fatigue when reading long passages under pressure. Mock tests will help you:
โ Strengthen focus and mental stamina.
โ Get used to sitting for an extended period without distractions.
โ Reduce stress by practicing in real test conditions.
๐น Pro Tip: Mimic the real exam by taking mock tests in a quiet environment with a timer. This trains your brain to handle the exam setting efficiently.
Final Tips to Ace NAT-TEST Reading Comprehension
โ Focus on understanding meaning, not translating word-for-word.
โ Practice real NAT N5/N4 test questions to simulate exam conditions.
โ Use reading strategies like skimming, scanning, and keyword spotting.
โ Build kanji and grammar knowledge to recognize patterns quickly.
โ Develop a habit of reading Japanese daily to improve fluency.
By applying these strategies, youโll boost your NAT-TEST reading comprehension score and be one step closer to achieving your certification!
FAQ Around NAT-TEST Reading Comprehension
1. What is the NAT exam for?
The NAT-TEST assesses Japanese language proficiency, similar to JLPT, and is used for education, jobs, and residency applications.
2. How is the NAT-TEST pass score determined?
The passing score varies by level, but generally, scoring above 50-60% is required to pass.
3. How can I prepare for the NAT reading section?
Practice reading Japanese passages, use reading strategies, and take NAT N5 mock tests regularly.
4. What is the best way to improve kanji recognition for NAT-TEST?
Use kanji flashcards, read Japanese articles, and take mock exams frequently to build familiarity.
