The Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT) is designed to assess and evaluate your practical Japanese language skills often required in business settings. Other than reading and listening skills, to achieve a high score on this test you will need critical and statistical analysis skills.

BJT is a computer-based test. Test results will be displayed on-screen after you have taken the test, so it is more efficient and is available more frequently.

BJT measures Japanese language fluency skills that are more advanced compared to the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and can be used for job applications, proof of your language and business-related skills, or to help with university applications.

Official Names

English: Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT)

Japanese: ビジネス日本語能力テスト (びじねす にほんご のうりょく てすと / Bijinesu Nihongo Nouryoku Tesuto)

Purpose / Advantages

To evaluate and serve as proof of your practical Japanese language abilities.

Examples of advantages include:

• Additional proof of your Japanese language and business-related skills: Results of the test can help you with your job applications, promotions, university applications and in other settings.

Eligibility

The exam is open to people of any age, nationality, or purpose of taking the test. There are no prior requirements.

However, you can only take the test once every 3 months.

Testing dates

The exact dates of the test differ according to test center itself. Applicants can choose a testing date that suits their schedule, and as such there are no set deadlines to apply.

Testing areas

Testing areas in Japan

Available in the main cities of most prefectures across Japan.

Testing areas outside Japan

China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, India, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, France, USA, UK, Germany. (Bound to open in Italy)

A full list of testing sites can be found in the online application form and testing sites search.

Application process

Register and pay the exam fees online.

Subjects and Format

BJT is a computer-based test.

Total test time: approximately 1 hour 45 min.

Format: 3 sections, total 80 questions

• Listening (approximately 45 min.)
• Listening and Reading Comprehension (approximately 30 min.)
• Reading (30 min.)

Subjects

• Listening section: questions range from situational, conversational and general comprehension.
• Listening and Reading Comprehension section: integrates spoken explanations and conversations with visuals and written Japanese.
• Reading section: questions include vocabulary and grammar knowledge and text comprehension.

For more information, look here.

Sample questions are available here.

Levels and Results

Test scores will be available onsite on the screen. You will be able to download score reports.

Additional score reports will can issued and mailed upon request (differs according to examination site and address of the examinee).

Scores range from 0 to 800 (not a pass/fail exam).

On the score report, you will also receive a band score (6 bands from J5 (lowest) to J1+ (highest)) based on your overall results.

For each section, you will also receive a 7-ranked evaluation.

For more information, look here.

Official Websites

Official website: https://www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/english/ (Japanese)