How to Use Anki for JLPT Success

Anki is the most powerful SRS (Spaced Repetition System) tool for JLPT preparation. This guide will help you use it effectively.

Why Anki Works

The Science

• Spaced Repetition: Review right before forgetting
• Active Recall: Forces memory retrieval
• Efficiency: Focus on what you're forgetting
• Long-term Retention: Move info to long-term memory

The Numbers

• Traditional study: 70% forgotten in 2 days
• With Anki: 90%+ retention after weeks
• Time saved: Review 80% less while learning more

Getting Started

Installation

Desktop (Free):

• ankiweb.net/downloads
• Available: Windows, Mac, Linux

Mobile:

• Android: Free (AnkiDroid)
• iOS: $25 (AnkiMobile) - worth it!

Web:

• ankiweb.net (syncs across devices)

First-Time Setup

1. Create account at ankiweb.net
2. Install desktop app
3. Sign in to enable syncing
4. Download decks (covered below)
5. Adjust settings (covered below)

Best JLPT Anki Decks

For Vocabulary

Core 2K/6K/10K:

• Best for: All levels
• Content: Most common Japanese words
• Order: Frequency-based
• Download: AnkiWeb shared decks

JLPT Tango N5/N4/N3/N2:

• Best for: Exam-specific prep
• Content: Vocabulary in context sentences
• Order: By JLPT level
• Bonus: Audio included

Genki Vocabulary:

• Best for: Textbook learners
• Content: Follows Genki I & II
• Order: Textbook chapter order

For Kanji

Recognition RTK:

• Best for: Recognizing kanji
• Content: 2,200 kanji
• Method: Recognition-focused
• Time: 6-12 months complete

Kanji Koohii:

• Best for: Heisig RTK method
• Content: User-created mnemonics
• Bonus: Community stories

JLPT Kanji N5-N1:

• Best for: Exam focus
• Content: JLPT-specific kanji
• Includes: Multiple readings

For Grammar

Bunpro Anki Deck:

• Best for: Grammar patterns
• Content: All JLPT grammar
• Format: Fill-in-the-blank

Japanese Grammar Flashcards:

• Best for: N3-N1
• Content: 300+ grammar points
• Format: Example sentences

For Listening

Japanese Core With Audio:

• Best for: Listening + vocabulary
• Content: 6,000 words with audio
• Practice: Both directions

Optimal Anki Settings

New Cards Per Day

Conservative (sustainable):

• N5/N4: 10-15 new cards/day
• N3: 15-20 new cards/day
• N2/N1: 20-25 new cards/day

Aggressive (time-limited):

• N5/N4: 20-30 new cards/day
• N3: 25-35 new cards/day
• N2/N1: 30-40 new cards/day

Reality check:

• 20 new cards/day = 600/month = 7,200/year
• Start conservative, increase if comfortable

Recommended Settings

Go to Deck Options → Settings:

New Cards:

• Learning steps: 1m 10m 1d
• Graduating interval: 3 days
• Easy interval: 4 days
• Insertion order: Random (prevents pattern learning)

Reviews:

• Maximum reviews/day: 200-300
• Easy bonus: 130%
• Interval modifier: 100% (start)
• Maximum interval: 365 days

Lapses:

• Relearning steps: 10m 1d
• Minimum interval: 2 days
• Leech threshold: 8 lapses

Creating Effective Cards

Good Card Principles

1. One Idea Per Card ❌ Bad: Front: すし / Back: sushi, rice, fish, Japan ✅ Good: Front: すし / Back: sushi

2. Include Context ❌ Bad: 取る = to take ✅ Good: 写真を___。(to take a photo) / 取る

3. Add Audio

• Helps with pronunciation
• Improves listening skills
• Makes reviews more engaging

4. Use Images

• Visual memory is powerful
• Especially good for concrete nouns
• Google Images is your friend

5. Include Example Sentences

• Shows real usage
• Provides context
• Helps with grammar

Card Templates

Basic Vocabulary:

Front: [Kanji/Kana]
Back:
- Reading: [hiragana]
- Meaning: [English]
- Example: [sentence]
- Audio: [pronunciation]

Grammar Pattern:

Front: [Example sentence with blank]
何時___家に帰りますか。
Back:
- Answer: に
- Pattern: [time] + に
- Meaning: at [time]
- Note: Specific time particle

Kanji Recognition:

Front: 飲
Back:
- Readings: の(む), イン
- Meaning: drink
- Examples: 飲む、飲み物、飲料
- Mnemonic: [your story]

Daily Anki Routine

Basic Routine (30-45 min/day)

Morning (15 min):

• Review due cards
• Quick, consistent
• Before work/school

Evening (15-30 min):

• New cards
• More thorough review
• When you're fresh

Advanced Routine (60-90 min/day)

Morning (20 min):

• Vocabulary reviews
• High priority decks

Midday (20 min):

• New vocabulary cards
• Light review

Evening (40-50 min):

• Grammar and kanji
• Comprehensive new cards
• Thorough reviews

Common Anki Mistakes

❌ Too Many New Cards

Problem: Burnout, unsustainable workload Solution: Start with 10-15, increase gradually

❌ Not Doing Reviews Daily

Problem: Cards pile up, system breaks down Solution: Reviews MUST be daily priority

❌ Making Cards Too Easy

Problem: False sense of mastery Solution: Make yourself think

❌ Making Cards Too Complex

Problem: Card has multiple answers Solution: Break into multiple simple cards

❌ Not Suspending Easy Cards

Problem: Wasting time on known items Solution: Suspend cards you've mastered

❌ Giving Up After Missing Days

Problem: Letting reviews accumulate forever Solution: Use "Reschedule" or reduce daily limit temporarily

Advanced Anki Techniques

1. Filtered Decks

Create custom study sessions:

• Cramming before test
• Reviewing specific tags
• Lapsed cards only

How: Tools → Create Filtered Deck

2. Tags and Organization

Organize by:

• JLPT level (N5, N4, etc.)
• Category (food, travel, etc.)
• Source (Genki, anime, etc.)
• Difficulty (hard, medium, easy)

3. Cloze Deletions

For sentences with multiple learning points:

{{c1::彼は}}{{c2::昨日}}{{c3::本を}}{{c4::読んだ}}。

Creates 4 separate cards from one sentence!

4. Image Occlusion

Label diagrams/images:

• Kanji stroke order
• Grammar structure diagrams
• Vocabulary mind maps

Addon: Image Occlusion Enhanced

5. Card Maturity Analysis

Stats → Card Info shows:

• Young cards (< 21 days)
• Mature cards (> 21 days)
• Retention rate
• Review history

Essential Anki Add-ons

Must-Have:

1. Japanese Support: Automatic reading generation
2. AwesomeTTS: Add audio to cards
3. Heatmap Review: Visualize study streaks
4. Review Heatmap: Track progress
5. Additional Card Fields: More customization

Nice-to-Have:

6. Image Occlusion Enhanced: Label images
7. Customize Keyboard Shortcuts: Speed up reviews
8. Pop-up Dictionary: Quick lookups
9. Speed Focus Mode: Auto-reveal answer
10. Night Mode: Easier on eyes

Anki for Different Study Styles

Visual Learners

• Add many images
• Use color coding
• Create mind map cards
• Image occlusion for diagrams

Auditory Learners

• Add audio to all cards
• Use text-to-speech
• Listen-and-repeat cards
• Focus on listening decks

Kinesthetic Learners

• Type answers (not just think)
• Use cloze deletions
• Stand while reviewing
• Physical mnemonics

Troubleshooting

"Too Many Reviews!"

Solutions:

• Reduce new cards to 0 temporarily
• Increase daily review limit
• Use "Reschedule" to spread them out
• Delete decks you don't need

"Cards Taking Too Long"

Solutions:

• Simplify card content
• Remove unnecessary info
• Use more yes/no recognition
• Set time limit per card (15-20 sec max)

"Not Retaining Information"

Solutions:

• Check your interval settings
• Make cards harder (more challenging)
• Add more context
• Review related grammar/kanji

"Lost Motivation"

Solutions:

• Reduce new cards temporarily
• Gamify with streaks/goals
• Find accountability partner
• Remember your 'why'

Anki Study Plan by Level

N5 (3-4 months)

• Core 2K deck (first 500 words)
• N5 JLPT kanji deck
• 15 new cards/day
• 20-30 min daily reviews

N4 (6 months)

• Core 2K complete
• N4 JLPT kanji + vocab
• 20 new cards/day
• 30-40 min daily reviews

N3 (8-10 months)

• Core 2K/6K (3,000 words)
• N3 grammar deck
• 25 new cards/day
• 45-60 min daily reviews

N2 (12+ months)

• Core 6K complete
• N2 vocabulary + grammar
• 30 new cards/day
• 60-90 min daily reviews

N1 (12-18 months)

• Core 10K
• Advanced grammar deck
• 30-40 new cards/day
• 90-120 min daily reviews

Final Tips

DO:

✅ Review every single day ✅ Start with pre-made decks ✅ Adjust settings to your needs ✅ Use across all devices ✅ Trust the algorithm ✅ Celebrate milestones

DON'T:

❌ Skip days (breaks the system) ❌ Make perfect the enemy of good ❌ Give up when reviews pile up ❌ Ignore lapsed cards ❌ Forget to sync

Success Metrics

Track these monthly:

• Cards reviewed: Should increase steadily
• Retention rate: Aim for 85-90%
• Mature cards: Should grow consistently
• Study streak: Longer is better
• Time per card: Should decrease over time

Conclusion

Anki is not magic - it's a tool. Used consistently and correctly, it's the most effective way to retain massive amounts of information for JLPT.

The Formula:

• Good decks + Optimal settings + Daily consistency = JLPT Success

Start small, stay consistent, and adjust as needed. Your future self will thank you!

頑張ってください！