The Eiken Test
Nihon Eigo Kentei Kyokai, or the Eiken Foundation of Japan (formerly the Society for Testing English Proficiency, Inc.), is a public-interest incorporated foundation established in 1963 and based in Tokyo, Japan.
Eiken produces and administers English-proficiency tests with the backing of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) and in cooperation with Japanese prefectural and local boards of education, public and private schools, and other leading testing bodies.
| EIKEN Grade | CEFR Comparison |
Example of recognition/use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C1 | International admissions to graduate and undergraduate programs; MEXT* benchmark for English instructors (Pre-1) |
| Pre-1 | B2 | |
| 2 | B1 | MEXT benchmarks for high school graduates |
| Pre-2 | A2 | |
| 3 | A1 | MEXT benchmark for junior high school graduates |
| 4 | ||
| 5 |
Grade 3
Grade 3 is the first EIKEN test to include a speaking test. The students are given a card with a passage and a picture on it. The students are given 20 seconds to read the passage silently, and then they are asked to read the passage aloud. Then they will be asked 5 questions. Usually 1 question is about the passage, 2 or 3 are about the picture, and 1 or 2 are general questions not related to the card.
A total of 33 points can be gained from this test. 5 points for reading, 25 for Q&A, and 3 for the students attitude.
The pass level is from 19~33 points.
Check out previous tests and watch virtual speaking tests from here.
See also
- Eiken Foundation of Japan
- English Conversation Points (Usable as practice for the interview section of the Eiken)
