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Answering four-choice items in the Class 3 exam

Every Class 3 item has four options and exactly one right answer. Many candidates lose points not because they do not know, but because they misread whether the item wants the correct or the incorrect statement. This page shows how to read each item type.

Last updated: 2026-10-19

Three common item types

Type	End of the question	Choose
Correct statement	適切てきせつなものは次つぎのうちどれか	The true statement
Incorrect statement	不適切ふてきせつなものは次つぎのうちどれか	The false statement
Fill-in pair	（イ）と（ロ）に当あてはまるものの組くみ合あわせ	The right pair of words for two blanks

Step 1: read the end of the question first

Japanese puts the task at the end of the sentence. Before you read the options, check whether it says 適切 or 不適切. In the app you can build this habit by reading the end of each item first.

Step 2: mark each option true or false

Read each option and put a ○ or × next to it (on the paper or in your head). A 適切 item has exactly one ○; a 不適切 item has exactly one ×. If you find two ○ or two ×, reread those two carefully: usually one word differs, such as 大おおきい/小ちいさい or 開ひらく/閉とじる.

Step 3: eliminate in pair items

For fill-in items with (イ) and (ロ), if you are sure of (イ), strike out the two options with the wrong (イ). Two options remain and you only need to decide (ロ). This gets you the point even when you are sure of only half.

Signs often seen in wrong options

Absolute words: 必かならず (always), 全すべて (all), 絶対ぜったいに (absolutely).
Reversed relations: "increases" for "decreases", "before" for "after", "series" for "parallel".
One number or unit changed in a familiar statement.

These are hints, not rules: you still need the technical understanding to be sure.

Managing 60 minutes

Round 1: answer every item you are sure of and flag the doubtful ones. Round 2: return to the flagged items. Last round: check that the mark sheet rows line up. The flag button and question grid in the app train exactly this rhythm. Sample items with answers are on Class 3 sample questions.

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FAQ

What is the difference between 適切 and 不適切?

適切なもの asks for the correct statement. 不適切なもの asks for the incorrect one. Both kinds are mixed in a paper, so read the end of the question before the options.

Should I leave an item blank if I do not know?

Each correct item scores one point, so a blank item certainly scores nothing. Choose an answer for every item, even if you have to eliminate and then guess.

How long should each item take?

60 minutes for 30 items is two minutes each. Answer the easy items first, flag the hard ones and come back, and keep five to ten minutes at the end to check the mark sheet.

Take a 30-item mock paper and see right away which items you missed and why.

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