Shōronbun Kentei

Japanese Short 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: ¥4,000 (Standard) or ¥5,500 (Master), 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 current-affairs topic, with a short background text. Standard: up to 800 characters in 60 minutes. Master: up to 1,200 characters in 90 minutes.
Run by: Gendai Yōgo Kentei Kyōkai (NPO)
Apply: Official site ↗

Levels

Level	What it means
Master, Level 1	Builds an argument on deep knowledge of major current issues, with convincing reasons based on concrete information. Writes well enough to do well at work or in education.
Master, Level 2	Builds an argument on solid knowledge of major issues, with convincing, objective reasons. Writes well enough for working life.
Master, Level 3	Takes a position on major issues and explains it clearly with objective reasons. Ready for university entrance essays.
Master, Level 4	Gives a position with objective reasons in 1,000+ characters. Ready for high-school entrance essays.
Master, Level 5	Gives a position with objective reasons in 1,000+ characters, but wording and structure need work.
Standard, Level 1	Builds an argument on solid knowledge of familiar current issues, with convincing, objective reasons. Ready for university entrance essays.
Standard, Level 2	Takes a position from knowledge of familiar issues and explains it clearly with objective reasons.
Standard, Level 3	Takes a position with convincing reasons in 600+ characters. Ready for high-school entrance essays.
Standard, Level 4	Gives a position with reasons in 600+ characters, with basic wording and structure.
Standard, Level 5	Gives a position with reasons in 600+ characters, but reasons, wording and structure need work.
Fail	No level awarded and no certificate.

Trained graders score content, expression, and notation and conditions, and your level comes from the total. Essays under 90% of the character limit get no points for length. Master essays must use objective facts or statistics and an introduction–body–conclusion structure. No pass rates are published.

What it tests

Tested

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

Not tested

Listening
Speaking
Reading

Only one handwritten essay is graded. The short background text isn't scored, and there is no listening or speaking.

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 Standard as preparation for university entrance essays and Master for company promotion exams and writing at work. The site doesn't list any school or employer that formally accepts it.

About the exam

Who it's for: Argumentative essays on current affairs, for junior-high students and up. Standard aims at university entrance essays; Master aims at writing for work, including company promotion exams.
Levels and scores: Two courses, Standard and Master, each graded Level 5 to Level 1 (highest). Below Level 5 there is no certificate.