About EIKEN
EIKEN
Japan's most widely used English test
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What is Eiken
The Eiken is Japan's largest English qualification exam, with approximately 4.2 million people taking the exam in 2022.
As the exam that can measure the four skills of reading, listening, writing and speaking, it plays an important role in Japanese English education.
The Japan Ministry of Education has set a target of over 50% for junior high school students to have English skills equivalent to the Eiken Grade 3, and high school students who have English skills equivalent to the Eiken Grade 2.
Getting the Eiken test is advantageous at many universities, and the number of applicants is still increasing year by year.
It is expected to continue to become an increasingly important test in the future.
The Eiken exam consists of different levels of difficulty, from beginner to advanced. The levels are as follows:
- Grade 5
- Grade 4
- Grade 3
- Grade Pre-2
- Grade Pre-2 Plus
- Grade 2
- Grade Pre-1
- Grade 1
| EIKEN Grade | EIKEN CSE Score | CEFR Comparison | Example of recognition/use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 | – | – | |
| Grade 4 | – | – | |
| Grade 3 | 685 – 1700 | A1 | MEXT benchmark for junior high school graduates |
| Grade Pre-2 | 1728 – 2400 | A2 | |
| Grade Pre-2 Plus | 1829 – 2500 | A2 | |
| Grade 2 | 1980 – 2600 | B1 | MEXT benchmarks for high school graduates |
| Grade Pre-1 | 2304 – 3000 | B2 | |
| Grade 1 | 2630 – 3400 | C1 | International admissions to graduate and undergraduate programs; MEXT(*1) benchmark for English instructors (Pre-1) |
| Grade | Recommended Level | Passing Standard | Test Format | Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 | Beginning of junior high school level | Can understand short stories and sentences on everyday topics using basic vocabulary, and can express simple ideas using basic language. | Reading Listening Recorded Speaking Test |
Gateway to usable English Foundation building |
| Grade 4 | Mid-junior high school level | Can grasp the gist of short stories and express opinions or feelings on everyday topics using basic vocabulary. | Reading Listening Recorded Speaking Test |
Foundation building |
| Grade 3 | End of junior high school level | Can understand the main points of short texts and express opinions or feelings with reasons using basic vocabulary. | Reading Writing Listening Interview |
High school entrance level Real English communication |
| Grade Pre-2 | Mid-high school level | Can grasp the main idea of everyday topics and express information or opinions using basic vocabulary. | Reading Writing Listening Interview |
|
| Grade Pre-2 Plus | Upper-high school level | Can understand details, key points, and summaries on familiar social topics and express information or opinions in detail using a wider range of vocabulary. | Reading Writing Listening Interview |
|
| Grade 2 | End of high school level | Can understand structure, main points, and details of social topics and express information or opinions clearly with structure. | Reading Writing Listening Interview |
University entrance level Start of study abroad Recognized on resumes |
| Grade Pre-1 | Intermediate university level | Can understand complex texts and discussions on social topics and express information or opinions logically, with clear claims and evidence. | Reading Writing Listening Interview |
English for leaders with dignity |
| Grade 1 | Advanced university level | Can understand complex and abstract texts and reasoning on specialized topics, and express information or opinions logically and in detail with clear argument and support. | Reading Writing Listening Interview |
For the latest info : Please see Eiken official information