Sakubun Kentei

Japanese Composition 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: ¥2,800 (Basic) or ¥3,200 (Advanced), 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 essay on a set theme, on the official manuscript paper: 40 minutes, up to 300 characters (Basic) or 400 (Advanced).
Run by: Gendai Yōgo Kentei Kyōkai (NPO)
Apply: Official site ↗

Levels

Level	What it means
Advanced, Level 1	Thinks deeply about the theme and expresses feelings vividly in their own words, with expression and structure that reach the reader.
Advanced, Level 2	Understands the theme and expresses feelings in their own words, with some care for expression and structure.
Advanced, Level 3	Grasps the theme and tries to express feelings; expression and structure need a bit more work.
Basic, Level 1	Thinks deeply about the theme and writes vividly in their own words, with a full grasp of composition basics such as manuscript-paper rules.
Basic, Level 2	Understands the theme and expresses feelings in their own words, using composition basics to finish the piece.
Basic, Level 3	Grasps the theme and writes their feelings, finishing a piece of about 200–300 characters.
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. In the Basic course, a finished piece of 200 characters or more earns at least Level 3. No pass rates are published.

What it tests

Tested

Writing
Grammar
Vocabulary
Manuscript-paper (genkō yōshi) rules

Not tested

Reading
Listening
Speaking

Only one handwritten piece 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 a fun first step that lays a base for later writing, and one school uses it for all its students to check progress. The site doesn't list any formal recognition.

About the exam

Who it's for: Japanese composition for children from preschool and early elementary school up, though adults can take it too. It builds the habit of writing what you notice, feel and think.
Levels and scores: Two courses, Basic and Advanced, each graded Level 3 to Level 1 (highest). Below Level 3 you get a Challenge certificate.