Shit. I mean, not that this isn't a good idea, but it means the specifications of all my prep materials will be out-of-date. Plus, I'm kind of annoyed that old tests won't be made public anymore. Damn, damn, damn.
It's the world of the modern internet. Most of the sites that had tests available with answers up to now, have all been technically illegal anyway, and the method for getting the questions won't change.
Bottom line, I think as long as you can search the internet in Chinese (or ask a forum where someone else will do that work for you!) there will be no shortage of places to find all the test questions with answers.
But, I'll admit I don't care about piracy when it comes to such things. I think they should make the past questions and answers public, but if they won't, well, other people illegally did it.
I should note that I've bought a number of test booklets, and plan to buy more. Not even necessarily out of anti-piracy feelings, but because it's a lot more convenient to study from that way too. And didn't those illegal sites just copy the official booklets? I really don't see how they'll be able to sneak cameras into the test sites just to provide illegal copies online.
The ones I saw looked like camera photos, at least the answer part. I have no idea how they get the cameras into the test sites.
But, it seems some get the questions from released books, but then give answers from photos.
If someone puts the tests with answers for sale, then I agree it's easier to just buy them. But if it's a situation where they won't, there are no shortage of people who just want to learn who scan the things, they always have. How the get the source I have no idea.
Back when I was in school, the university I went to made a point of selling old exams with answers (for engineering classes anyway) because they know it's one of the best ways to study, just do endless problems with feedback. If they hadn't sold it, well, all the frats will sell it, but then the non-frat kids are at a disadvantage. So, they sold it.
I'm not sure just what the JLPT people think they achieve, if they will not release the old tests and answers for sale. They keep it all mysterious, to the point that most ordinary Japanese people have no idea what's on the test since they never see it.
But meanwhile high school entrance test practice materials are available in tons of places, if you can do those the JLPT is easy :)
In the US I see no shortage of TOEFL guides, which are pretty much the same thing.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 04:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 04:54 am (UTC)Okay, let's ganbaru our asses off and whoop the 2kyuu's butt!
BTW, how'd the 3kyuu go?
no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 04:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 04:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 04:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 05:35 am (UTC)Bottom line, I think as long as you can search the internet in Chinese (or ask a forum where someone else will do that work for you!) there will be no shortage of places to find all the test questions with answers.
But, I'll admit I don't care about piracy when it comes to such things. I think they should make the past questions and answers public, but if they won't, well, other people illegally did it.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 05:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 06:02 am (UTC)But, it seems some get the questions from released books, but then give answers from photos.
If someone puts the tests with answers for sale, then I agree it's easier to just buy them. But if it's a situation where they won't, there are no shortage of people who just want to learn who scan the things, they always have. How the get the source I have no idea.
Back when I was in school, the university I went to made a point of selling old exams with answers (for engineering classes anyway) because they know it's one of the best ways to study, just do endless problems with feedback. If they hadn't sold it, well, all the frats will sell it, but then the non-frat kids are at a disadvantage. So, they sold it.
I'm not sure just what the JLPT people think they achieve, if they will not release the old tests and answers for sale. They keep it all mysterious, to the point that most ordinary Japanese people have no idea what's on the test since they never see it.
But meanwhile high school entrance test practice materials are available in tons of places, if you can do those the JLPT is easy :)
In the US I see no shortage of TOEFL guides, which are pretty much the same thing.