Kanken

Japan Kanji Aptitude Test

The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation · JA tests Japanese

UpcomingOfficial site ↗

Nov102026
Online results for the October 2026 paper test
Official date, from 10:00.
Results
Nov212026
Result documents for the October 2026 test start arriving
Sent out in turn from this date.
Results
Jan102027
Registration closes for the February 2027 paper test
Opens 4 December 2026 at 9:00; first come, first served; closes 23:59.
Registration
Feb142027
Public paper test, session 3 (fiscal 2026)
Official schedule.
Test date

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

Taking the test

Fee: Paper: ¥3,200–¥6,700. Computer: ¥3,200–¥4,800. Online: ¥2,700–¥4,800. Depends on level (2026, tax included).
How often: Paper tests at public venues three times a year, on Sundays. Computer tests run on many days at test centres, and the online test runs every Sunday. Levels 1 and Pre-1 are paper only.
Format: Mostly written answers: readings, writing kanji, radicals, stroke order, compounds, idioms and more. 60 minutes (40 for Levels 8–10). Take it on paper at a public venue, on a computer at a test centre (Levels 2–7), or on a tablet at home (Levels 2–10).
Run by: The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation
Apply: Official site ↗

Levels

Level	What it means	Kanji	Pass rate
Level 1	University and general level. About 6,000 kanji, including many outside the jōyō list.	About 6,000	about 12%
Level Pre-1	University and general level. About 3,000 kanji, including some outside the jōyō list.	About 3,000	about 22%
Level 2	High school graduation, university and general level. All jōyō kanji.	2,136	about 31%
Level Pre-2	High school level.	1,951	about 38%
Level 3	Junior high school graduation level.	1,623	about 49%
Level 4	Junior high school level.	1,339	about 51%
Level 5	End of elementary school, 6th grade.	1,026	about 72%
Levels 6–10	End of elementary school 5th grade (Level 6) down to 1st grade (Level 10).	835 → 80	about 85%

To pass you need about 80% of 200 points at Levels 1, Pre-1 and 2, about 70% of 200 at Levels Pre-2 to 7, and about 80% of 150 at Levels 8–10. Pass rates are for fiscal 2025 (April 2025–March 2026), all three sessions combined, from the official figures. Levels 6–10 range from 78% (Level 6) to 94% (Level 10).

What it tests

Tested

Reading kanji
Writing kanji by hand
Stroke order and radicals
Idioms and set phrases
Vocabulary

Not tested

Listening
Speaking
Grammar
Long reading passages

It tests kanji only. There is no listening, speaking or general reading comprehension.

Languages and where to take it

Test language: Entirely in Japanese.
Instructions: Instructions and the website are in Japanese only.
Where: Paper tests at public venues in all 47 prefectures; computer tests at over 200 test centres across Japan; online at home. Schools and companies can also hold group tests, including about ten approved venues abroad (in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia).
How long it counts

What it's recognised for

Many schools use it in admissions: about 2,760 high schools, and about 670 universities and junior colleges (foundation survey, 2025). Some high schools give course credit for it, and companies also consider it in hiring. It is backed by Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT).

About the exam

Who it's for: A test of reading, writing and using kanji. It is mostly taken by Japanese school students and adults, but anyone of any age can take any level.
Levels and scores: Twelve levels from 10級 (easiest) to 1級, including 準2級 and 準1級.