Hello everyone,

With over 10 years of experience living in Japan and having passed the JLPT N1 long ago, I've observed a fascinating paradox. The more advanced students become, the closer they get to the N1 summit, the more susceptible they are to the most sophisticated traps. This trap isn't hidden in super-difficult grammar or obscure vocabulary; it's located right inside our own brains. 🧠

I call it "The Curse of Knowledge" (知識の呪い - Chishiki no Noroi).

Picture this: You're tackling the N1 grammar section. You're stuck on a question, torn between two answers. Option A uses a familiar, simple grammar point. Option B uses a flashy, complex N1 structure you just reviewed last night. You think to yourself, "This is the N1 exam, there's no way the answer is that easy! It must be B!" And then... Bzzzt! You've fallen right into the trap. 😱

If this feeling is familiar, then this article is for you. Let's dissect and break this curse together!

What is the "Curse of Knowledge" in the JLPT?

The Curse of Knowledge is a real cognitive bias: when we know a lot about a subject, we assume others share our level of understanding. In the context of the JLPT, it mutates slightly: we tend to overcomplicate simple problems because we assume that a high-level exam must always be tricky.

It manifests everywhere:

• 📝 Grammar: You see a question where a simple form like 〜てくれる perfectly conveys the meaning. But, driven by the desire to show off your N1 knowledge, you try to force in a more "advanced" structure like 〜てやまない or 〜てしかるべき, even when they are completely out of context.
• 📚 Reading Comprehension: You get a question asking for the author's main point. The answer is actually stated quite clearly in the first and last sentences. But you don't trust it. You dive deep into analyzing a complex sentence in the middle of the paragraph, full of difficult kanji, trying to deduce a more "profound" meaning. As a result, you choose an answer that's completely off the mark.
• 🔤 Vocabulary: A word with multiple meanings appears. The question is using its most common, everyday sense. But you remember a rare, specialized meaning of the word and confuse yourself, assuming the test is trying to trick you with that obscure definition.

Why Do Test Makers Set This Trap?

Don't think they are being malicious. The purpose of these questions is to test a skill more crucial than raw knowledge: a natural feel for the language (自然な日本語の感覚).

1. To Test for Naturalness: In real-life communication, Japanese people don't always use complex, literary structures. They prioritize clarity and naturalness. Choosing an overly formal or dramatic grammar point for a simple context shows you're still thinking like a learner, rather than truly "feeling" the language.
2. To Test Big-Picture Comprehension: At the N1 level, you need the ability to grasp the "skeleton" of a text—the author's main argument (筆者の主張)—instead of getting bogged down in minor details. This trap filters out those who can only translate word-for-word versus those who truly understand the overall message.

3 Secrets to Breaking the Curse ⚔️

Knowing the curse exists is half the battle. The other half is training yourself with these three mindsets:

1. Trust in Occam's Razor: The Simplest Answer is Often the Best 🪒

Occam's Razor is a principle that states: "Among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected." Applied to the JLPT: If a simple answer completely fulfills the question's requirements, don't search for a more complex one.

👉 Action: When debating between a simple and a complex option, ask yourself: "Does this simple answer make the sentence grammatically incorrect or contextually awkward?" If the answer is "No, it's perfectly natural," choose it with confidence. Don't let the thought "This is too easy for N1" fool you.

2. Focus on the Core Message, Not the Fancy Wrapping 🎁

Advanced vocabulary and convoluted grammar structures in a reading passage are often just tools—the "seasoning" used to clarify the main point. They are not the main point itself.

👉 Action: While reading, actively hunt for topic sentences and transition words that show cause-and-effect (だから, そのため) or contrast (しかし, 一方で). Underline the sentences where you feel the author is expressing their opinion. Treat the complex details as servants attending to the "king," which is the main argument.

3. Adopt a "Context-First" Mindset ➡️

Change your approach. Instead of looking at the four grammar options and asking, "What does this mean?", do the opposite.

👉 Action: First, carefully read the question and the context around the blank space. Imagine for yourself what kind of meaning needs to go there. "Okay, this spot needs a meaning like 'someone does something for me out of kindness.'" Only then should you look down at the four options and find the one that fits the meaningful "mold" you've already created. This method helps you choose the most appropriate option, not the most advanced one.

Conclusion

Accumulating a vast amount of N1 knowledge is an incredible achievement. But remember, knowledge is a tool, and a good craftsman knows when to use a sledgehammer and when to use a small mallet. The JLPT exam room is no different.

Don't let your own knowledge become a burden. Learn to trust in simplicity, focus on the core message, and let the context be your guide. When you do that, you will not only break the "Curse of Knowledge" but also reach a much more natural and profound level of Japanese.

Good luck with your studies, and go conquer the exam! 💪