💡 Why I Decided to Build Versant Pro Trainer

📊 Seven Years of Versant — and the Same Problem Again and Again

I've been working with the Versant test for over seven years now. In my teaching and coaching, I've used it to assess students' levels at the start of their course, and again at the end to measure improvement.

It's an excellent test when used correctly — fair, data-driven, and surprisingly accurate at showing real communication ability.

But over the years, I kept seeing the same frustration from learners:

Pearson doesn't provide much official material. Outside Japan, learners can pay around $12 to take a practice test — which is basically the same price as the real thing. In Japan, the options are even fewer: there's a short demo version, and in some cases, you can request a practice test — but you can't do that often.

Otherwise, the only option is to pay more than ¥6,000 for the real test and "hope for the best."

📺 YouTube Isn't the Answer

Many learners turn to YouTube. You'll find recordings of people taking the test, or giving "tips" from their experience.

Some of it's fine. Some of it's not.

And almost none of it comes from educators.

So for anyone preparing for the new Versant 2.0, the vast majority of what's online is already outdated.

👀 What I've Observed as a Coach

I've had access to many actual test recordings over the years, and I've spent a lot of time analysing what makes some people perform better than others.

What stood out to me was this: most test-takers don't reach their potential.

And for Japanese learners in particular, I think the reasons are clear:

• They're not familiar with the test format, because they don't get enough chances to practise.
• They're used to TOEIC-style testing, where you can think and plan — but Versant is about fast, natural responses.
• Many learners hold back because they think only a "perfect" answer will score well. So when they're unsure, they say nothing.
• That silence costs points — even though they actually could have given a decent answer.

🛠️ So I Built My Own Solution

I wanted a tool that could do what nothing else could:

That's how Versant Pro Trainer started.

The idea was simple: give learners a safe, realistic way to practise every part of the test — before they have to pay for the real one.

🎯 Built for Real Learners, Not Just Test-Takers

Every feature in the app comes from what I've seen learners need most.

It doesn't yet give an official CEFR level or predicted score — but it helps you understand how you're performing and what to improve.

That feedback loop is what most learners have always been missing.

🚀 My Goal Going Forward

This app is still growing. Over time, I want to:

• Add CEFR-based performance insights
• Include more question sets and difficulty levels
• Provide deeper analysis of fluency and accuracy
• Build partnerships with schools and companies who want to train more effectively

But for now, Versant Pro Trainer is here for one reason: to make proper, meaningful Versant practice finally possible.

💬 A Personal Invitation

If you're preparing for the test, I'd love for you to try it.

Your support helps me improve the app and keep building better practice tools for learners everywhere.

I created Versant Pro Trainer because I believe everyone deserves a fair chance to show what they can really do — not just what they can do under pressure and uncertainty.

So start today, practise smart, and let's raise your score — together.