Hi everyone, as someone who has battled through and passed the N1, I know how immense the pressure of the JLPT can be, especially in the Reading (読解) and Listening (聴解) sections with their tight time limits.

Today, I'm sharing a skill that's not in textbooks but is a lifesaver in the exam room: 消去法 (shoukyohou - the Process of Elimination).

🎯 What is 消去法?

Simply put, instead of trying to find the single CORRECT answer among four options, you should focus on finding and crossing out the options that are definitely WRONG. It's often easier to spot a specific error than to confirm an answer is 100% correct.

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🤔 Why is this method so effective for the JLPT?

The JLPT, especially at higher levels, loves to set traps with answers that "look correct." They might contain words that appeared in the reading/listening passage but convey the wrong meaning.

By using elimination, you will:

• Minimize Risk: Eliminating just one or two wrong answers significantly increases your probability of choosing the correct one.
• Save Time: Quickly narrow down your choices to focus your analysis on the remaining options.
• Boost Confidence: Actively take control of the situation instead of feeling lost in a sea of possible answers.

🚀 Applying 消去法 to Each Section

1. 📖 Reading Comprehension (読解)

This is where 消去法 shines the brightest. Immediately eliminate answers that are:

• Factually Incorrect (事実に反する): The content directly contradicts the passage.
• Not Mentioned (書いていない): The option might be true in real life, but there is no information in the text to support it.
• An Exaggeration (言い過ぎ): Uses words like 「必ず」(always),「絶対」(definitely),「〜だけでいい」(only need to...) when the passage uses softer language like「〜傾向がある」(has a tendency to...),「〜かもしれない」(might be...).

2. ✍️ Grammar (文法)

When you're torn between 2-3 similar-looking grammar points, find a reason to eliminate:

• Incorrect Connection (接続): The grammar point doesn't correctly conjugate with the word/verb before it.
• Wrong Nuance (ニュアンス): The passage is formal, but the answer is a casual, spoken-language form (e.g., using 〜じゃん in a newspaper article)? Eliminate it!
• Illogical Sentence: Plugging in the grammar point makes the sentence nonsensical.

3. 🎧 Listening Comprehension (聴解)

Traps in the listening section often involve words you heard but used in the wrong context. Eliminate options that:

• Are Negated Immediately After: 「Aがいいと思ったけど、やっぱりBにします」(I thought A was good, but I've decided on B after all) -> Option A is wrong.
• Are Someone Else's Opinion: The question asks about the main speaker, but the answer reflects a secondary character's thoughts.
• Are Only Half-Right: The first part of the answer is correct, but the second part is wrong.

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Conclusion

The Process of Elimination is not just random guessing; it's a logical deduction process to find the most accurate answer. Start practicing 消去法 when you do mock exams. Good luck with your studies, and I hope you achieve a high score! 💪