Many years ago, I took the JLPT 4 in Singapore. I remember there was a massive traffic jam where they had only one test centre at the Japanese Association. Apart from that, everything else was very systematic: you bring the official proof of exam, leave your shoes and bags outside the classroom, put your ID and proof of exam on the table and do not turn the test booklet over until the test begins. Recently, I took the JLPT N3 in at the Beijing Technology and Business University and was infinitely put off. People flipped the test booklet incessantly before the test started, checked their mobile phones which were in their pockets during breaks, and you could practically scribble all the test questions on your proof of exam and bring it out of the classroom after the test. Irritated, I raised my hand and asked the invigilator if it was okay to look through the test papers before it began, he said no but did nothing about the evidently audible flipping of papers. 中国人はレベルが低い。
とにかく、it’s tough learning Japanese in China. For the months approaching the JLPT, I had two lessons with a native Japanese teacher instead of one and it set me back about US$250 per month, which could be half a month’s salary or a month’s rent for the locals. I was only at chapter 32 of Minna no Nihongo 2 when I took the test. The English-Japanese notes I brought from Hougang Japanese Language School in Singapore coupled with podcasts from JapanesePod101 really helped with my revision. Fingers crossed till the results in March/April!