the most useful strategy is....DON'T TAKE IT! Get out of your house, enjoy the beautiful blue skies and autumn foliage, and use "real" Japanese wherever you go!
That being said, I am a glutton for punishment and have enrolled in the JLPT, Level 1. No, i'm not studying or preparing, and, if the weather is nice on December 3rd, I might actually go for a hike instead of sitting in a room full of people who study Japanese full time and need to pass the test to get a Visa........