Exams & Assessment
This is for guidance only. The Japan Foundation cannot take any responsibility for the changes to the information below. Please contact the exam board directly for the latest information.
Exams covered on this page
International AS Level Japanese (AS Level only)
Cambridge Assessment International Education
Learn moreGCSE Japanese – Pearson (Edexcel)
The Department for Education can provide a straightforward explanation of the GCSE system.
Exam details
Secondary school pupils, adults
Not stipulated. Depends on the pupils and their starting point.
If you are not registered at a school or college but wish to sit GCSE Japanese, please check the link below for more information or contact Pearson (Edexcel) directly on 020 7010 2187 (within the UK) or +44 (0)20 7010 2187 (outside the UK).
Please click here to see example resources for teaching GCSE Japanese.
The English Baccalaureate was introduced in 2010 as a performance measure that recognises where pupils have secured a C grade or better across a core of academic subjects: English, mathematics, history or geography, the sciences and a language. GCSE Japanese can be taken as part of the English Baccalaureate. For more information, please click here.
Please contact Pearson (Edexcel) directly for more information about the exam schedule, and follow the links below for official information from the Pearson (Edexcel) website.
Useful links
GCSE Japanese – Pearson (Edexcel)
- Current specification, examiners’ reports, past papers and other relevant documents (opens in a new tab)
- Where can I take Edexcel exams? (private candidates) (opens in a new tab)
- Check the dates of upcoming Pearson (Edexcel) exams (opens in a new tab)
- English Baccalaureate (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab)
GCE (A Level) Japanese – Pearson (Edexcel)
Please note that the specification for both the A Level exams has changed. Please be sure to use the correct specification. Follow the links below for official information from the Pearson (Edexcel) website.
Exam details
Post-16 students
Not stipulated. Depends on the pupils and their starting point.
If you are not registered at a school or college but wish to sit A Level Japanese, please check the link below for more information or contact Pearson (Edexcel) directly on 020 7010 2187 (within the UK) or +44 (0)20 7010 2187 (outside the UK).
Please see page 55 of the current specification for resources suggested as bibliographies to support study of the prescribed topic or text in Unit 2. Click here for other recommended resources for teaching A Level Japanese. Please note that most resources are still based on the old exam specification.
Number of candidates sitting the GCE (A Level) Japanese exam, by year
- 2019: 216
- 2018: 249
- 2017: 226
- 2016: 236
- 2015: 222
- 2014: 260
- 2013: 261
- 2012: 280
Useful links
Exam board contact details
Tel: 020 7010 2187 (within the UK)
Tel: +44 (0)20 7010 2187 (outside the UK)
Web: Contact Pearson
I-GCSE Japanese – Cambridge
Please contact Cambridge Assessment International Education directly for more information about the exam schedule and for the current syllabus.
Please note that the last examination for this subject will be November 2021.
International AS Level Japanese (AS Level only) – Cambridge
Please contact Cambridge Assessment International Education directly for more information about the exam schedule and for the current syllabus.
IB – AB initio, Language B – International Baccalaureate
The AB initio course is for beginners and is designed to be taken over two years by students who have no previous knowledge of learning the target language.
IB exams are for registered schools only. Please contact the exam board for more information.
Exam board contact details
Churchillplein 6, 2517 JW, The Hague, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 70 352 60 00
Fax: +31 70 352 60 03
Email: support@ibo.org
Web: www.ibo.org
Practical Languages – ABC Awards
Features
- Entry 3 Award in Speaking and Listening in Japanese
- Entry 3 Award in Reading and Writing in Japanese
- Entry 3 Certificate* in Practical Japanese
- Level 1 Award in Speaking and Listening in Japanese
- Level 1 Award in Reading and Writing in Japanese
- Level 1 Certificate* in Practical Japanese
* The certificate covers all four skills.
Providers can choose the topics they want to cover and will be free to develop assessment activities, which meet the qualification criteria, to suit individual circumstances and learners. Assessments are internally set and marked as well as internally and externally moderated.
Exam details
Any learner from age 14 to adult
Minimum entry age is 14. (This includes Year 9 pupils.)
No specific resources are recommended, however, exemplar materials and further supporting information are available from the awarding body on request.
Pass / Fail. Achievement is based on sufficient evidence meeting the qualification assessment criteria.
Recommended number of contact hours
| Award in Speaking & Listening | Award in Reading and Writing | Certificate in Practical Japanese | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry 3 | 60 | 90 | 150 |
| Level 1 | 90 | 90 | 180 |
Exam board contact details
Robins Wood House, Robins Wood Road, Aspley, Nottingham NG8 3NH
Please contact the awarding organisation through its general enquiries route.
Entry Level Japanese Vocational (QCF) – WJEC
Since September 2012, WJEC has offered a suite of QCF qualifications in six languages including Japanese.
The qualifications are available at Entry Level (3), Level 1 and Level 2.
For further information, please see the WJEC qualifications website or contact WJEC directly.
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) – Japan Foundation
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has been offered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services since 1984 as a reliable means of evaluating and certifying the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers.
The test is held twice a year worldwide, once in December and once in July. Please note that not all test centres hold the test twice a year, and if in doubt please contact the test centres for more information. Click here to check our What’s On page for upcoming JLPT dates.
In the UK, the JLPT exams are hosted by SOAS University of London, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Leicester and King’s College London. For further information about the test in your region please check each institution’s website. For further information about the test in the Republic of Ireland, please contact the JLPT office in Dublin.
Test format
In 2010 the old 4-level JLPT changed into a new 5-level JLPT: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. A middle level (N3) has been added to bridge the gap between the former Level 3 and Level 2. More information about the content of the test can be found at the JLPT website, where a comparison of the pre-2009 and post-2009 exams is also available.
Exam details
Carried out both in Japan and abroad for the measurement and certification of Japanese proficiency for non-native speakers.
Non-native speakers of Japanese.
Linguistic competence required for the JLPT is expressed in terms of language activities, such as Reading and Listening. Language Knowledge, such as Vocabulary and Grammar, is also required for successful execution of these activities. More details about these requirements can be found here.
A list of books and references for studying the JLPT can be found here. Selected questions taken from past tests are also available at the JLPT website.
Pass / Fail. All examinees are informed of their scores.
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guide (including application forms and sample questions).
The application period for the July test usually runs from early March to early April, although it may vary.
The application period for December is usually from early August to early September each year.
Please note that the registration at each test centre may close early when the test centre has reached its maximum capacity.
Useful links
About the JLPT
- JLPT official website (opens in a new tab)
- Test sections and levels (opens in a new tab)
- Comparison of the pre-2009 and post-2009 exams (JLPT FAQ) (opens in a new tab)
- JLPT sample questions (opens in a new tab)
- Summary of linguistic competence required for each level (opens in a new tab)
- Books and references for studying the JLPT (opens in a new tab)
Applications will be accepted online from the websites shown below.
Exam board contact details
10 Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
Tel: 020 7898 4555
Email: jlpt@soas.ac.uk
Web: JLPT at SOAS
Paterson’s Land, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ
Tel: 0131 650 4400
Email: jlpt@ed.ac.uk
Web: JLPT at Edinburgh
University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH
Tel: 0116 252 2662
Email: jlpt@leicester.ac.uk
Web: JLPT at Leicester
Strand, London WC2R 2LS
Email: jlpt@kcl.ac.uk
Web: JLPT at King’s
For applications in the Republic of Ireland, please contact the JLPT office in Dublin.
Kanji Aptitude Test – Nihon Kanji Noryoku Kentei Kyokai
Please click here for more information about this test.