JLPT Speed Master N3 Katakana

JLPT Speed Master N3 Katakana covers 670 katakana loanwords selected for JLPT relevance. Part 1 reviews 80 N5-level words and Part 2 covers 130 N4-level words, each with two rounds of review drills, a practical test in JLPT format, and a katakana word list. Part 3, the main section, works through 460 N3-level words organized into 15 categories using five drill types: matching words to images, matching to similar-meaning Japanese words, choosing correct definitions, learning meaning and usage from example sentences, and selecting the right katakana for a passage. Part 4 has exam-format practice questions in three types: meaning, paraphrasing, and usage.

This is a niche book. The 2010 JLPT revision increased katakana vocabulary on the test, and for learners whose native languages don't share English loanword roots, katakana words can be one of the harder parts to memorise. Neither Sou Matome nor Shin Kanzen Master has a dedicated katakana book. The progressive N5-to-N3 structure means it doubles as review for lower levels, so it works for anyone from N5 up. If katakana loanwords are a weak point for you or your students, this is the only dedicated drill book for it at this level.