In 2019, 45.3% of AP Japanese students scored a 5 on the exam. Although that number may seem small, achieving a 5 on this exam is most definitely possible with the correct approach. In this post, we'll cover the skills you need to perfect to get a 5 on the exam. We've also compiled a list of top tips to help send you well on your way to a 5!

Before we get into the specifics of how to get a 5, let's cover the basics of the AP Japanese Exam. The test consists of two sections: Multiple Choice and Free Response, which are both broken into two sub-sections.

Section 1A: Multiple Choice Listening👂🏼

Listen to audio from public announcements, voice messages, instructions, cultural presentations, radio broadcasts, uncontextualized dialogues, and school debates

Each type of media will have a question set of 2-5 related questions

Read print sources such as journalistic articles, short stories, email inboxes, letters, step-by-step instructions, and travel brochures

Each source will have a question set of 3-5 questions

Read and answer six text-message questions, 10 mins

Write a 300-400 character compare and contrast essay for two related topics and two opposing viewpoints, 20 mins

Engage in a simulated conversation ( 4 prompts, 3 mins)

Deliver a 2-minute presentation about your perspective on a Japanese cultural element or practice (1 prompt, 4 mins prep time, 2 mins delivery time)

The AP Japanese Course and Exam Description from the College Board details eight skills used throughout the course. Mastery of these skills will significantly increase your chances of earning a 5 on the exam. Here they are:

 Use cultural/interdisciplinary information to determine the meaning of a text. Explore how cultural/information is related and explain these connections.

 Identify the audience, theme/main ideas, and purpose of a text. Infer implied meaning.

 Infer the meaning of familiar and unfamiliar words/phrases. Use a variety of vocabulary words in your spoken/written responses on the exam.

 Communicate with others through spoken conversation

 Communicate with others through writing

#2: Immerse Yourself in Japanese Language and Culture🎎

Aside from learning the required course content, it is a good idea to supplement your AP Japanese studies with some real-world materials. Watching anime, listening to Japanese music, listening to podcasts in Japanese, reading Japanese literature, and consuming Japanese media are good examples of further understanding the language.

Immersing yourself in a language is one of the quickest ways to learn. Put on some anime while you do your homework and listen to the language in the background or read a Japanese blog in your spare time. Hearing and reading how Japanese functions in the real world (through written text and spoken word) will help you succeed. All of the audio/written samples you will have to analyze are real-world materials such as news articles and conversations.

Practicing the essays is essential to get a 5 on this exam. Make sure you can form coherent sentences and connect your ideas smoothly. Practice staying focused in your writing, making sure to clearly communicate your responses. The essays are where you can demonstrate a high-level understanding of the Japanese language by making thoughtful comparisons and connections.

To get a 5 on the AP Japanese exam, include advanced vocabulary in your responses and show that you have a super deep understanding of Japanese language and culture. You want to "wow" your exam reader with your knowledge. Immersing yourself in Japanese language and culture and learning phrases used by native speakers are examples of how you can achieve a higher-level understanding. By going "above and beyond" the basics of Japanese, you will give yourself an extra edge, pushing you closer to that 5!

In any AP class, it is crucial to have an approach that works FOR YOU, which is no different for AP Japanese. AP Japanese is a class that, in order to get a 5, requires some outside studying. Deciding how to study outside of class and what resources to use is an integral factor in getting the highest possible score on the exam.

It is essential to understand your own learning style when considering different supplemental resources. This will also help you create a study schedule and what you need help with, specifically. Is there a specific concept that gives you trouble, or do you just need extra practice with grammatical concepts? To find the best AP Japanese resources for you, check out Best AP Japanese Textbooks and Prep Books (coming soon) and Best Quizlets for AP Japanese (coming soon).

Here's some extra AP Japanese advice from successful AP Japanese students! 👇🏼

"Practice your language skills in non-scripted and timed settings (i.e. have a conversation with a friend or give a presentation on a website in the target language) and develop a standard form and/or script for each question and practice with a variety of prompts." - Solomon Kim, Fiveable Student

"I studied for the test. I didn't ever feel stressed out in the class... just watch lots of dramas and movies... know the kanji on the AP list... The college board samples show you EXACTLY how the test is formatted. They tell you EXACTLY what type of problems are on the test." - anniemac, student, via College Confidential

"I watched a lot of dramas, read books/manga in Japanese, and spoke to Japanese friends That helped me a lot." -syua1120, student, via College Confidential

For more AP Japanese resources such as live streams and study guides, bookmark 

! Remember, you're not alone in this journey! You got this 🥳

AP Japanese Exam

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Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

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How to Get a 5 in AP Japanese

Thinking about taking AP Japanese, but aren't sure if it's right for you? Wondering if adding another AP class to your schedule is worth it? In this post, we'll discuss everything you need to know before enrolling in the AP Japanese course. 

Before we get into the specifics, let's cover the AP Japanese Exam. The test consists of two sections: Multiple Choice and Free Response.

Section 1A: Multiple Choice Listening 👂🏼

Section 1A: Free Response Written ✍🏼

Like all other AP courses, AP Japanese requires hard work and a genuine desire to succeed. AP Japanese is generally a more niche AP test. Although the AP Japanese crowd is small, they do post some impressive scores. 

As you can see, almost half of AP Japanese students scored a 5 on this exam. The average score from 2019 was 3.9. The high percentage of passing scores is a result of the mix of native and non-native speakers who take the exam. However, no need to worry if you're not a native speaker! The AP Japanese course doesn't need you to become as advanced as a native speaker. To succeed on this exam, you need to demonstrate beginner to intermediate-level proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking.

The AP Japanese Exam tests your ability to communicate in three different modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. On top of that, there are 7 learning objectives that you should be able to meet come time for the exam:

*The last two bullet points refer to the second FRQ section

In addition to linguistics, AP Japanese also focuses on elements of Japanese culture such as art, architecture, pop culture, common jobs, gender roles, and religion. Students are made aware of current and past social, political, and economic issues. You will examine these aspects of Japanese culture in both historical and contemporary contexts 🎎

The Todaiji temple is an example of a culturally important building that reflects aspects of Japanese architecture and religion. 

Whether you're a native speaker or a student looking to learn an exciting and fun new language, AP Japanese is definitely worth it. Many colleges and universities have a foreign language requirement that may be met if you score well on this exam. Additionally, taking AP Japanese in high school may enable you to take more advanced Japanese courses in college. 

Speaking Japanese is a highly valuable skill. Japan has the third-largest economy in the world so having a solid base in Japanese is a major advantage for those considering careers in international relations, business, engineering, and a multitude of other fields. 

To get some additional perspectives, we searched the internet for students' opinions about AP Japanese: 

"I'd say if you understand all the grammar and 70-80% of the vocab on the exam, you're set. Just make sure to practice compare and contrast writing prompts. Also, know how to transition your thoughts and write without having to think too much about your sentences."—anniemac, student via College Confidential

"To become fluent in a language, you really have to listen to it and speak it often outside of the class. If you are interested in anything related to Japanese culture, or anime, their drama, go ahead and watch them, it's really helpful."—nrseries, student via College Confidential

Hopefully, you found this post useful as you try to figure out whether AP Japanese is worth taking. Now that you have learned about the skills required for AP Japanese, the exam logistics, and experiences/suggestions from students and teachers, is AP Japanese a class for you? Our answer: absolutely! You got this 🎉

Is AP Japanese Hard? Is AP Japanese Worth Taking

You want to take AP Japanese, but your school doesn't offer it. So, you're considering self-studying the course, but aren't sure if you should go for it? In this post, we'll discuss the pros and cons of self-studying AP Japanese and everything you need to know before deciding to embark on your journey!

Because self-studying can be such a commitment, you must weigh both your pros and cons before making a final decision. Below, we listed some of the major ones:

When you create a self-study plan, always start with the 

College Board Course and Exam Description 

(CED). The CED details all of the content that will be on the exam and explains the skills used throughout the course. As you read the CED, you will find summaries with the most important content for each unit. 

How to Register for the Test and Where to Take It🏫

To register for an AP test if you are self-studying, get in touch with your school's AP Coordinator. If your school does not have an AP Coordinator, you can contact AP Services to register and find a nearby school where you can take the exam.

AP services will connect you with AP Coordinators from schools near you who are willing to accept outside students for testing. You will need to get in touch with one of them to make testing arrangements. 

#1: Find Resources That Work For You 👍🏼

Since you won't be given a textbook or practice assignments from a teacher, finding your own supplemental resources is essential. How do I find the best resources for me? Check out Best AP Japanese Textbooks and Prep Books and Best Quizlet Decks for AP Japanese for top-notch AP Japanese resources! 

Aside from learning the required course content, it is a good idea to supplement your AP Japanese studies with some real-world materials. Watching anime, listening to Japanese music, listening to podcasts in Japanese, reading Japanese literature, and consuming Japanese media are all examples of ways to further your understanding of the language.  

Hearing/reading how Japanese is spoken/written in real life will help you on the exam.

This is the poster for the Japanese drama 

Dramas like this one are an excellent tool for immersing yourself in the Japanese language and culture. Studying for AP Japanese while watching a juicy teen drama? Yes, please!  Image Courtesy of 

The best way to practice is by talking to someone else. If you are self-studying, you obviously will not have a class full of other Japanese speaking students to practice with. However, you can practice speaking to yourself in the mirror or with other AP Japanese students in the Fiveable community (see link above). 

Time management is key for self-studying an AP class. Before you get started learning the course content, lay out a study plan for yourself, devoting a certain chunk of your day to AP Japanese. Within this designated study time, decide exactly what you're going to learn and set little goals for yourself to keep progress consistent.

Every student has a different schedule and different preferences when it comes to when or how long they like to study, so do what works best for you!

AP Japanese Self-Study and Homeschool

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