Ikenbun Kentei

Japanese Opinion Essay Test

Gendai Yōgo Kentei Kyōkai (NPO) · JA tests Japanese

UpcomingOfficial site ↗

Nov182026
Applications close, 2nd session 2026
Topics are announced on 6 November. Official schedule.
Registration
Dec152026
Essay deadline, 2nd session 2026 (postmark)
Papers are sent out by 30 November. Official schedule.
Test date
Jan292027
Results mailed, 2nd session 2026
Sent by this date. Official schedule.
Results

Dates are from the organisation's official announcements. Always confirm on the official site before you apply.

Taking the test

Fee: ¥3,500, tax included (2026).
How often: Twice a year, in the first and second half of the school year. Groups can ask for other dates.
Format: One handwritten opinion essay of up to 400 characters in 40 minutes, on the official manuscript paper.
Run by: Gendai Yōgo Kentei Kyōkai (NPO)
Apply: Official site ↗

Levels

Level	What it means
Level 1	Forms an opinion from solid knowledge and experience, including current issues, and argues it clearly with convincing reasons. Ready for high-school entrance essays.
Level 2	Forms an opinion from knowledge and experience and explains it clearly with reasons, with the language and structure to persuade.
Level 3	Has an opinion on everyday matters and backs it with reasons. Ready for junior-high entrance essays.
Level 4	States a clear opinion on the question; reasons, wording and structure still need work.
Level 5	Has an opinion and states it, but reasons, wording and structure are not yet enough.
Challenge (not passed)	Not certified yet. You still get a Challenge certificate.

Trained graders score content, expression, and notation and conditions, and your level comes from the total. You should fill at least 90% of the 400-character limit. No pass rates are published.

What it tests

Tested

Writing
Stating an opinion with reasons
Grammar
Vocabulary
Writing kanji by hand
Manuscript-paper (genkō yōshi) rules

Not tested

Reading
Listening
Speaking

Only one handwritten essay is graded. There is no reading, listening or speaking section.

Languages and where to take it

Test language: Entirely in Japanese. You write your essay in Japanese.
Instructions: Instructions and the website are in Japanese only.
Where: You take it at home or at school, time yourself, and post your essay to the office in Kawasaki. Schools, cram schools and companies can apply as a group and act as the venue.
How long it counts

What it's recognised for

The organiser presents it as preparation for junior-high and high-school entrance essays and a first step toward short essays. The site doesn't list any formal recognition.

About the exam

Who it's for: Opinion writing for upper elementary students and up: giving a view on everyday topics with clear reasons. It sits between the composition test and the short-essay test.
Levels and scores: One course, graded Level 5 to Level 1 (highest). Below Level 5 you get a Challenge certificate.