Japanese Exams

Language School

EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) is generally not required for language studies. EJU is primarily a test for international students who wish to enter universities or vocational schools in Japan. It assesses Japanese language proficiency and academic knowledge, but for language studies, the goal is to learn the basics of Japanese, so EJU scores are typically not required.

Japan University Admission Examination（EJU）

The EJU is an examination for international students wishing to enroll and study at Japanese universities (as undergraduates, etc.). It tests basic academic knowledge in the subjects of Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics. There are no limitations on the number of times examinees may take the EJU or their age. Examination scores are valid for two years.

A total of 479 Japanese universities (over 60% of all such universities in Japan), including most national universities, require submission of EJU scores as part of their application procedures. Other benefits are that certain schools offer “prearrival admission” allowing students taking the exam to be admitted prior to arriving in Japan, as well as a reservation program for honors scholarship for those achieving high scores on the EJU.

Some schools only accept test scores from a certain date, so please check the application requirements of the school you are planning to apply to.

Examination Period and Locations

[Examination period]
Held two times per year
First round: June (Application in February-March, notification of results scheduled for around July)
Second round: November (Application in July, notification of results scheduled for around December)

[Locations]
In Japan: 17 prefectures
13 countries and regions outside of Japan, including 17 cities:
India (New Delhi), Indonesia (Jakarta, Surabaya), Republic of Korea (Seoul, Busan), Sri Lanka (Colombo), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai), Taiwan (Taipei), the Philippines (Manila), Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City), Hong Kong, Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Myanmar (Yangon), Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar)

Subjects

The EJU tests an individual’s Japanese proficiency, as well as their basic understanding of “Science,” “Japan and the World,” and “Mathematics.” The “Japanese” subject tests an individual’s ability to study Japanese at the university level (academic Japanese), and it includes a reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and listening/reading comprehension section for a total of 400 points and 50 points total for the writing section.

The “Science,” “Japan and the World,” and “Mathematics” sections are worth 200 points each, and the tests are offered in both English and Japanese. For “Science,” you will choose two subjects from physics, chemistry, and biology, and for “Mathematics” you will be taking “Course 2,” which tests advanced mathematics skills necessary for the undergraduate level, as well as “Course 1,” which is for other undergraduate level courses.

When taking the EJU, you should take the subjects and language of examination designated by your preferred university.

* You cannot select both “Science” and “Japan and the World.”
* “Japan and the World” is a subject unique to the EJU, and it is a combination of three subjects taught at the high school level in Japan, including “Civics,” which focuses on politics and economics, “Geography,” and “History.”

Advantages of the EJU

Reservation Program for Scholarship

Privately financed international students achieving high scores on the EJU and wishing to enroll in Japanese universities (undergraduate level), junior colleges, colleges of technology (third year and above) or post-secondary courses at specialized training colleges are determined as reservation holders for the “Reservation Program for Monbukagakusho (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students.”

Scholarship benefits: 48,000 yen/month (changes may occur each school year)

Application method: When applying for the EJU, indicate your interest in applying for the scholarship

Selection method: Students who achieve exceptionally high scores on the EJU will be selected

Prearrival Admission

Some schools offer “prearrival admission,” meaning applicants can apply for and receive an offer of admission from the university while remaining in their country/region of residence. You can search for schools offering “prearrival admission” below. The list is updated as needed. For details regarding “pre-arrival admission,” please contact each school directly.

Japanese Language Proficiency Test（JLPT）

The purpose of this test is to measure and certify the overall Japanese language proficiency of non-native speakers of Japanese in terms of how much they know about Japanese characters, vocabulary and grammar, and how well they can use this knowledge in their communication. To take the examination, examinees fill in a scantron. There are 5 levels from N1 to N5, with N1 being the highest level. The N5 and N4 levels test the basic understanding of students who learned Japanese in their Japanese class. The highest level, N1, is for students who are able to read newspapers and understand spoken lectures in detail.

Examination Period and Locations

[Examination Period]
Held two times per year
First round: July / Second round: December

[Locations]
In 47 prefectures in Japan
Outside of Japan: 96 countries and region (280 cities)

Differences between the Japan Admission Examination (EJU) and the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

We will explain the differences between the Japanese language subjects of the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) and the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). The Japanese language subjects of the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) are intended to measure Japanese language proficiency (academic Japanese) that is suitable for studying at Japanese universities. On the other hand, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is aimed at measuring general Japanese language ability.

Other Tests

Proof of English Proficiency

「TOEFL®」「IELTS」「TOEIC®」Practical Skills English Test
*Most Japanese universities require proof of English proficiency in their application, so be sure to check with the university and prepare in advance.