The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) comes up on July 5, so it's time to get studying. What will be your strong points? More importantly, what will be your weak points? The test is divided into three categories — writing/vocabulary; listening; and reading/grammar — and most struggle with at least one. Luckily, there are free Web sites and applications out there to help you, no matter which section you need help in.
smart.fm: Formally known as iknow, smart.fm has revolutionized the flashcard business. The site started out producing only Japanese and English ones, but it has recently branched out to cover all kinds of subjects. Smart.fm lets you keep track of your progress and choose or create lists. It also gives you various methods of studying vocabulary, which means many different types of learner will find kanji a little less painful. Smart.fm even has an application to allow you to study on your cellphone.
Lang-8: Lang-8 is a journal-writing Web site with a twist — when you write something, a native speaker of the language you are learning fixes it for you, using a correction tool that highlights your mistakes to help you to avoid repeating them. It is a sociable learning experience, letting you have fun and make friends that speak the language you're learning, and it goes far beyond boring practice. The two biggest communities are of English and Japanese learners (though all languages are welcome), so as someone taking the JLPT, you won't have any trouble finding people to correct your writing!