Japan Study Abroad Network > EJU: Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students

EJU: Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students

If you are thinking of going to a Japanese university in Japan and study in a Japanese-taught course, the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is a must-take. Over 800 universities require or encourage you to submit your grades in this test to evaluate your Japanese language ability and your academic capabilities in required fields.

Depending on the university and course you wish to take, you will take a set of subjects from “Science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry)”, “Mathematics”, “Japan and the World”, and “Japanese as a Foreign Language”. All subjects except for “Japanese as a Foreign Language” can be taken in English, but applicants should choose subjects and the language of the test according to the guidelines of their desired university.

Taking this test opens your opportunities to study in Japan. Some universities accept students based on EJU grades and does not require you to take a university-specific exam (pre-arrival admissions). Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) also offers special scholarships to candidates who have achieved a high grade in EJU, known as the reservation program of the Mombukagakusho Honors Scholarships for Privately-Financed International Students.

Official Names

English: Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)

Japanese: 日本留学試験 (にほんりゅうがくしけん / Nihon Ryugaku Shiken)

Purpose / Advantages

The most commonly used examination for international students’ admissions to Japanese universities in Japan. For some universities and applications, taking this examination is mandatory.

Examples of advantages include:

Entry into university or college education course: Over 800 universities and colleges may require applicants to have taken EJU as a reference for their Japanese language ability and their academic capabilities in certain subjects.

Eligibility

The exam itself is open to anyone of age, nationality, purpose of taking the test. There are no prior requirements. However, the examinee can only receive a grade report from JASSO; no certificates will be issued. EJU scores are valid for 2 years.

If you are applying for university or college in Japan that requires you to submit your EJU score, follow the eligibility instructions of the university’s application guidelines.

Testing dates

2 times a year (June and November).

For dates information, see the EJU website.

Testing areas

Testing areas in Japan

Hokkaido, Miyagi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Ishikawa or Fukui, Shizuoka, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Okayama or Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa.

Testing areas outside Japan

Hong Kong, India (New Delhi), Indonesia (Jakarta, Surabaya), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), Myanmar (Yangon), Philippines (Manila), Republic of Korea (Seoul, Busan), Russia (Vladivostok), Singapore, Sri Lanka (Colombo), Taiwan (Taipei), Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai), Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City)

Application process

Taking the test in Japan

- Register online or by mail
- Pay the exam fees
- Take the exam in the designated testing site
- Receive the score report by mail.
- If you are applying to a Japanese university in Japan, your score will be notified directly to the university admissions offices if you indicate your EJU examinee number on the university’s application form.

Taking the test overseas

Refer to the EJU Overseas Representatives for application guidelines. In certain areas and regions, EJU is not being held, in which case the applicant should follow the rules outlined by EJU to take the test in a foreign EJU-hosting country.*Do not register online if you are thinking of taking EJU outside of Japan*For more information, look here.

Subjects and Format

Test Subjects

Choose up to 3 subjects from the following

“Japanese as a Foreign Language” （国語/こくご/Kokugo）
“Science” （理科/りか/Rika）
“Japan and the World” （総合科目/そうごうかもく/Sougou kamoku）
“Mathematics” （数学/すうがく/Sugaku）

You should choose to take one set of subjects from the following. Check the requirements of the university and course that you want to apply to.

1 subject

“Japanese as a Foreign Language”
“Science”
“Japan and the World”
“Mathematics”

2 subjects

“Japanese as a Foreign Language” and “Science”
“Japanese as a Foreign Language” and “Japan and the World”
“Japanese as a Foreign Language” and “Mathematics”
“Science” and “Mathematics”
“Japan and the World” and “Mathematics”

3 subjects

“Japanese as a Foreign Language”, “Science” and “Mathematics”
“Japanese as a Foreign Language”, “Japan and the World” and “Mathematics”

* You cannot take both “Science” and “Japan and the World” on the same test date.

* Language options: You can choose to take “Science”, “Japan and the World” and “Mathematics” in either Japanese or English. “Japanese as a Foreign Language” is available only in Japanese.

Test Format

Japanese as a Foreign Language

Writing (30 min.), Reading (40 min.), Listening and Listening-Reading Comprehension (55 min.). Maximum total score: 450.

This test is designed to measure your academic Japanese language skills.

The reading, listening and reading-listening comprehension sections are mark-sheet (computer scored answer sheet) format tests, meaning that they are multiple choice questions.

The writing section is a paper-based test.

Science

Test duration: 80 min. Maximum total score: 200.

You will be asked to choose two subjects out of three (Physics, Biology and Chemistry). Check the subjects requirements of your desired university.

The test is mark-sheet format (computer scored answer sheet, multiple choice).

Japan and the World

Test duration: 80 min. Maximum total score: 200.

Questions in this test range from politics, geography and modern history.

The test is mark-sheet format (computer scored answer sheet, multiple choice).

Mathematics

Test duration: 80 min. Maximum total score: 200.

There are 2 courses in the test booklet, and you will be asked to choose one. Follow the subject requirements of your desired university.

The test is mark-sheet format (computer scored answer sheet, multiple choice / indicate the correct number).

For more information, look here