EJU Exam Guide: Subjects, Scores and Free Practice

EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students), run by JASSO, is the entrance exam international students take to apply to Japanese universities. It covers Japanese, science, general education and math.

Japanese（Language｜450 pts）

Tests Japanese language comprehension and expression required for study in Japan. Consists of three components.

💡 Most national universities only count Reading + Essay (250 points total). Whether listening is required varies by university.

General Education（Japan & the World｜200 pts）

Tests understanding of Japanese and international politics, economics, and society. Suitable for humanities and social science programs.

💡 35 multiple-choice questions, 200 points total, 80 minutes. Questions emphasize application and conceptual analysis — memorization alone is not enough.

Math Course 1（Humanities & Sciences｜200 pts）

Designed for humanities and social science applicants. Covers high school mathematics with emphasis on algebra and probability/statistics.

💡 30 questions, 200 points, 80 minutes. Course 1 does not include calculus and is less difficult than Course 2 (for science/engineering applicants).

How EJU scores work

Each subject is scored separately — there is no single overall pass mark for the EJU. Universities set their own required scores, and which subjects they look at depends on the faculty you apply to.

Except for the Japanese writing section, results are reported as scaled scores: because each session uses different questions, JASSO equates them with item response theory so scores from different sessions are comparable.

EJU rules, straight from JASSO

Can I take EJU subjects in English?

Yes. The question booklets for Science, Mathematics, and Japan and the World are available in both Japanese and English, and you choose one. The Japanese as a Foreign Language test is written only in Japanese. You must declare your preferred language when you apply.

How do I choose subjects, and what are the restrictions?

You select subjects according to what your target university and department require. You may not take both Science and Japan and the World. If you take Science, you must choose two of physics, chemistry and biology on exam day — answering only one means that section is not graded. For Mathematics you choose Course 1 (liberal arts, or science faculties needing less mathematics) or Course 2 (faculties needing higher-level mathematics).

How is the score calculated? Is it a raw score?

Except for the Writing section of Japanese as a Foreign Language, results are reported as scaled scores. Because the questions differ between sessions, JASSO equates the results using item response theory so scores from different sessions are comparable. Writing is graded against a separate standard and is not scaled.

How long are scores valid? Does taking it multiple times help?

Scores are valid for two years. You can take the exam more than once and submit the highest score among those sessions when you apply.

How often is it held, and where?

Twice a year: the 1st session in June and the 2nd session in November. It is held in multiple cities in Japan and, outside Japan, mainly across Asia — including Taiwan (Taipei), Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Mongolia. Exact dates and the venues open in a given session are announced by JASSO.

How is EJU different from the JLPT?

They serve different purposes. The JLPT measures general Japanese proficiency as a language certificate. The EJU measures the academic Japanese and the basic academic ability needed to study at a Japanese university — it is used in university admissions and also covers subjects such as science and mathematics. Some universities also use EJU results for pre-arrival admission.

Rules above are taken from JASSO’s official English pages. Exam dates and open venues change every year — always confirm the current session on the official site.