TEST OF PRACTICAL JAPANESE(J.TEST) has been conducted since 1991 as a test to objectively measure the Japanese language proficiency of non-Japanese.
Approximately 60,000 people take the test each year, including foreigners working for Japanese companies, international students, and Japanese language school students.
A distinctive feature of J.TEST is that it places a high emphasis on listening comprehension, with many questions covering expressions actually used in everyday life and at work.
Another notable feature is the inclusion of essay-style questions not often found in other Japanese language tests, such as questions requiring students to write the readings of Kanji and write short essays.
Some Japanese universities and vocational schools use J.TEST results as proof of Japanese language proficiency. As a result, some people take the test in order to enter university or vocational school.
Japanese language learners also often take the test to gauge their own Japanese language proficiency.
This page explains the overview of the J.TEST, target, difficulty, pass rate, etc.
Overview
J.TEST has been conducted since 1991 as a test to objectively measure the Japanese language proficiency of non-Japanese.
J.TEST is operated by the Association for Testing Japanese /J.Test Office and GOBUN KENKYUSYA Co.,Ltd
There are three types of J.TEST: A-C level test, D-E level test, and F-G level test, and the following are measured:
⚫︎ Character, Vocabulary, Kanji
⚫︎ Reading Comprehension
⚫︎ Listening Comprehension
⚫︎ Writing
Writing questions are only included in the A-C level test and the D-E level test, and include questions such as writing the readings of Kanji and writing short essays.
There are no writing questions in the F-G level test, and all questions are multiple choice.
Target
Only people whose native language is not Japanese can take the J.TEST.
Even if you are a Japanese national, you can take the test if your native language is not Japanese.
This test is for junior high school students and above.
Test Date
A-C level test and D-E level test are held six times a year. F-G level test is held twice a year.
In 2024, the A-C level test and the D-E level test are held on January 14th, March 10th, May 12th, July 14th, September 8th, and November 3rd.
The D-E level test is held on May 12th and November 3rd.
Difficulty
There are three types of J.TEST: A-C level test for advanced learners, D-E level test for beginners to intermediate learners, and F-G level test for entry level learners.
A-C level test
The A-C level test is of equal or greater difficulty than the JLPT N1 and N2. Some questions measure more advanced communication skills than the JLPT N1.
You will be graded as Special A Level, A Level, Pre-A Level, B Level, Pre-B Level or C Level depending on your score.
⚫︎ Special A Level
Able to understand and respond to specialized topics in a variety of fields and situations, and possess advanced communication skills that allow you to
⚫︎ A Level
Able to understand specialized topics in a variety of fields and situations, and possess sufficient communication skills.
⚫︎ Pre-A Level
Able to understand most general topics in a variety of fields and situations, and possess sufficient communication skills.
⚫︎ B Level
Possess sufficient communication skills in general fields and situations.
⚫︎ Pre-B Level
Possess sufficient communication skills in daily life and at work.
⚫︎ C Level
Possess basic communication skills in everyday life and at work.
D-E level test
The D-E level test is of similar difficulty to JLPT N3 and N4.
You will be graded as D Level or E Level depending on your score.
⚫︎ D Level
Possesses a certain level of communication skills in limited situations in daily life and at work.
⚫︎ E Level
Able to communicate in beginner level Japanese in limited situations in daily life and at work.
F-G level test
The F-G level test is of similar difficulty to JLPT N5.
You will be graded as F Level or G Level depending on your score.
⚫︎ F Level
Able to communicate within beginner level Japanese.
⚫︎ G Level
Able to communicate within the entry level of Japanese.
Passing Criterion
The maximum score and passing score are different for the A-C level test, D-E level test, and F-G level test.
A-C level test
To pass the A-C level test, you need to score 600 or above out of a total of 1000. Your level will be determined according to your score.
However, if you score 0 in even one of the eight areas of the test, you will fail test.
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| Special A | 930 or above |
| A | 900 or above |
| Pre-A | 850 or above |
| B | 800 or above |
| Pre-B | 700 or above |
| C | 600 or above |
700 scores is the same level of difficulty as JLPT N1. 600 scores is the same level of difficulty as JLPT N2.
D-E level test
To pass the D-E level test, you need to score 350 or above out of a total of 700. Your level will be determined according to your score.
However, if you score 0 in even one of the eight areas of the test, you will fail test.
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| D | 500 or above |
| E | 350 or above |
500 scores is the same level of difficulty as JLPT N3. 350 scores is the same level of difficulty as JLPT N4.
F-G level test
To pass the F-G level test, you need to score 180 or above out of a total of 350. Your level will be determined according to your score.
However, if you score 0 in even one of the eight areas of the test, you will fail test.
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| F | 250 or above |
| G | 180 or above |
250 scores is the same level of difficulty as JLPT N5.
Pass Rate
The number of test takers and the number of people per level in 2020 are as follows. Information for 2021 and after has not been made public.
A-C level test
| Level | Test Takers (persons) | People per Level (persons) |
|---|---|---|
| Special A | – | 83 |
| A | – | 109 |
| Pre-A | – | 362 |
| B | – | 613 |
| Pre-B | – | 2,262 |
| C | – | 3,802 |
| Fail | – | 13,889 |
| Total | 21,121 | 21,121 |
D-E level test
| Level | Test Takers (persons) | People per Level (persons) |
|---|---|---|
| D | – | 6,075 |
| E | – | 13,369 |
| Fail | – | 16,780 |
| Total | 36,224 | 36,224 |
F-G level test
| Level | Test Takers (persons) | People per Level (persons) |
|---|---|---|
| F | – | 4,708 |
| G | – | 4,890 |
| Fail | – | 6,214 |
| Total | 15,812 | 15,812 |
Procedure To Take the Test
If you are taking the test in Japan, follow the steps below.
1. Pay the test fee to the designated account at an ATM or bank
2. Take photos of your face, ID and bank transfer statement
3. Access the J.TEST website, enter the required information, and make a provisional registration
4. Receive an email of registration, follow the link in the email, upload photos, enter the required information, and register (1.5 months – 1 month before the test)
5. Receive an email of registration completion, follow the link in the email to access your My Page, download and print your admission ticket (approximately 12 days before the test – test day).
6. Take the test
7. Access the J.TEST website to check your results (approximately 23 days after the test).
Receive your score report (sent approximately 1 month after the test).
If you are taking the test overseas, the procedure for taking the test varies depending on the region, so you will need to check with the office in each country.
A score report will be sent to all test takers, and successful candidates will also receive a certificate.
Testing Site
The test is held in some prefectures in Japan.
You can select your testing location when you register.
The testing sites for A-C level test and D-E level test are as follows.
⚫︎ Chiba, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Fukuoka (January, March, May, July, September, November)
⚫︎ Sapporo, Sendai, Saitama, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Oita, Okinawa (May, November)
⚫︎ Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Ishikawa, Gifu, Mie, Okayama, Takamatsu, Kumamoto (January, September)
The testing sites for F-G level test are as follows.
⚫︎ Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka (May, November)
You can also take the J.TEST overseas, and the test is held in the following countries and regions:
⚫︎ China
⚫︎ Taiwan
⚫︎ South Korea
⚫︎ Thailand
⚫︎ Mongolia
⚫︎ Vietnam
⚫︎ Bangladesh
⚫︎ Indonesia
⚫︎ Philippines
⚫︎ Brazil
⚫︎ Nepal
⚫︎ Myanmar
⚫︎ Laos
The test may not be held on certain days depending on the country or region.