EJU Exam 2026 – Guide to Japanese University Admission for International Students
Introduction
Japan hosts more than 330,000 international students (latest JASSO statistics), making it one of Asia's leading study destinations. But, to become a part of the Japanese education system, many Japanese universities require international undergraduate applicants to take the EJU, although requirements vary by institution and program. Let's learn more about it.
What is the EJU Exam? (Overview & Key Details)
The EJU is a standardized examination used by many Japanese universities as part of undergraduate admissions for international students. Whether it is required depends entirely on the university and program. It evaluates whether the international applicant who is willing to study at the undergraduate level at universities or other higher educational institutions in Japan possesses the Japanese-language proficiency and academic abilities required to study there. Approximately 479 universities and 190 junior colleges currently use EJU scores.
The purpose of EJU is
➤ To assess academic skills for university education
➤ To evaluate Japanese language proficiency for academic purposes
➤ Provide a standardized assessment accepted by many Japanese universities.
➤ Support universities in selecting qualified international students.
Who Should Take the EJU Exam?
→ International students who wish to study in Japan for an undergraduate program.
→ Applicants seeking admission in national, public and private universities.
→ Students applying for certain Japanese scholarships where EJU exams are required.
EJU Exam Pattern & Subjects (Detailed Breakdown)
EJU exams have a certain pattern, which includes subjects, marks, duration, etc., and these are decided by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). The universities decide which EJU subjects' applicants must take based on their chosen program.
EJU exam structure
| Subjects | Duration | Maximum score |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese as foreign language | 125 minutes | 400 + Writing (50) |
| Science | 80 minutes | 200 |
| Japan and the World | 80 minutes | 200 |
| Mathematics | 80 minutes | 200 |
1. Japanese as a Foreign Language
This exam is mainly taken by students applying for Japanese-taught undergraduate programs and for students who are applying for universities offering Japanese-medium courses.
| Section | Time and marks | Skills Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Included in total: 400 (combined) | Reading Ability |
| Listening Comprehension | Included | Understanding spoken Japanese |
| Listening- Reading Comprehension | Included | Integrated listening and reading |
| Writing (Essay) | 50 (Total Time: 125 minutes) | Written expression |
2. Science
This exam is recommended for students applying for Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, agriculture, and Natural Science. Total marks and duration are 200 and 80, respectively. The question formats are given in the form of multiple-choice questions, data interpretation, scientific reasoning, and graph analysis. Candidates choose two subjects rather than three.
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| Physics | Mechanics, Waves, Electricity, Magnetism, Thermodynamics, Modern Physics |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Reactions, Atomic Structure |
| Biology | Cells, Genetics Human Physiology, Ecology, Evolution, Biotechnology |
3. Japan and the World (Comprehensive Test)
This exam is recommended for students who want to apply for programs like Business, Economics, Commerce, Law, Humanities, social sciences, and International Relations. Total marks and duration are 200 and 80, respectively.
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| Politics | Government, Democracy, International organizations |
| Economics | Markets, Inflation, Trade, Banking, Public finance |
| Geography | Physical geography, Human geography, Environment, Population |
| History | Japanese history, World history, Modern developments |
| Society | Contemporary issues, Globalization, Sustainable development, Social systems |
*Skills Tested for this exam are Interpretation of charts and graphs, Reading comprehension, logical reasoning, General knowledge and Problem-solving
4. Mathematics
This exam is divided into two parts according to the courses the students choose. Course 2 is intended for programs that require more advanced mathematics, while Course 1 is for programs with less intensive mathematical requirements. Total marks and duration are 200 and 80 respectively.
| Course | Suitable for | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics 1 | Humanities, Economics, Business, Some Agriculture | Algebra, Functions Quadratic equations, Probability, Statistics, Trigonometry, Basic Calculus |
| Mathematics 2 | Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Architecture, Natural Sciences | Advanced Functions, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Vectors, Matrices, Complex Numbers, Coordinate Geometry, Advanced Trigonometry |
How to Use Your EJU Score for Admission to Japanese Universities
After completion of the EJU, applicants use their EJU scores to apply for admission to Japanese universities. There are certain steps that are followed by the candidates to proceed with the admission process.
Check whether your chosen universities require EJU or not: More than 670 Japanese higher education institutions, including universities and junior colleges, use EJU scores for admission in some programs. Applicants should always confirm the latest admission requirements with each institution.
Choose the right subjects: Candidates choose sections based on what their target program requires: Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics.Candidates can't take both the Science test and the Japan and the World test because they happen on the same day. So it's necessary to pick whichever matches your intended major. Since EJU uses score equating, scores from different examination sessions are designed to be comparable.
Sending EJU scores to the universities: Applicants authorize JASSO to provide their EJU score reports to participating universities during the application process , and JASSO makes EJU score reports available to participating institutions according to its score reporting procedures.
Combine with other requirements: EJU is rarely the whole picture. Some institutions don't rely on EJU scores alone but also use their own entrance exam and/or an interview.
Scholarships and pre-arrival admission: High EJU scores may help privately financed international students become eligible for consideration for the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students, provided they satisfy JASSO's eligibility requirements for that year.
Around 200 Japanese universities and colleges participate in the Pre-arrival Admission system.
Fees for EJU exams
| Centre | Fees |
|---|---|
| India (Overseas Centre) | The examination fee for India is determined by the authorized overseas representative and may vary each year. Applicants should confirm the latest fee during registration. |
| Japan | The examination fee in Japan is announced by JASSO each year and differs depending on the number of subjects selected. Applicants should check the latest fee schedule before applying. |
EJU Exam Dates, Fees & Test Centers in India
| Session | Application period | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Session (June) | Application periods for the June and November 2026 examinations will be announced by JASSO. | Tentative (subject to official JASSO announcement). |
| 2nd Session (November) | Application periods for the June and November 2026 examinations will be announced by JASSO. | Tentative (subject to official JASSO announcement). |
Sources
Scholar Santa
Expat Japan
Scholarship Union
Study in Japan
Migaku
Japan Student Services Organization
The Japan Foundation
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
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