About the Test

1. Target
This test is targeted at foreigners whose mother tongue is not Japanese.

2. Objectives of the Test

This test is based on the principles of “The JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education ”a
framework for Japanese-language education with “Japanese language to facilitate mutual
understanding” as its philosophy. The test seeks to measure the kind of tasks the test-taker can
accomplish using Japanese. This test is used to measure the degree of language proficiency
needed by non-native speakers of Japanese to reside in Japan mainly for work, for communicating
in the everyday situations they encounter in life. It is used to assess if they are able to engage in
everyday conversation to a certain extent, and if they have a level of Japanese language proficiency
to be able to engage in everyday conversation to a certain extent and without difficulties in daily life.

3. Testing method
This test is conducted through the Computer-Based Testing (CBT). Questions are set and answered
on computers at test centers in each country. In the booths, test-takers answer questions on the
computer screen based on questions displayed on the screen and audio played through the
headphones.

The test question and choices are displayed on the central area of the computer screen. In addition,
the section name, test name, time remaining and status of answers are displayed on the borders of
the screen.
Figure 1: CBT screen

In this test, all the instructions are displayed in your local language. Read the instructions to
understand the setting or situation and answer the question. To answer, click on your choice. The
color of the choice you selected will change.
Figure 2: Question screen

4. Test structure
This test is composed of four sections: Script and Vocabulary, Conversation and Expression,
Listening Comprehension, and Reading Comprehension. The purposes of this test structure and
questions are shown in Table 1. There are approximately 60 questions, and the test time is 60
minutes. There is no time limit for completing each section.

Table 1: Test Structure and Purposes

Section Purposes of the Question Purposes of the
section question

Script and Test if the test-taker is Word meaning Test the meaning of a
Vocabulary able to read Japanese word.
texts used in
situations and Word usage Test the usage of a
conversational topics word.
in everyday life, and
whether they have Kanji reading Test the hiragana
and are able to use reading of a word
basic vocabulary. written in kanji.

Kanji meaning and Test the meaning and

usage usage of a word
written in kanji.

Conversation Test if the test-taker is Grammar Test if the test-taker

and Expression able to use the can use the
necessary grammar appropriate grammar
and expressions in matching the context.
 Section Purposes of the Question Purposes of the
section question

conversations in Expression Test if the test-taker

specific everyday is able to use the
situations. appropriate
expression matching
the flow of the
conversation.

Listening Test if the test-taker is Comprehending Test understanding of

Comprehension able to listen to and content contents by listening
understand (conversation) to an exchange of
conversations, information or social
instructions, etc. in exchange.
everyday situations.
Comprehending Test understanding of
content contents by listening
(communicating at to an exchange at a
shops and public shop or public place.
places)

Comprehending Test understanding of

content (listening contents by listening
to announcements to instructions and
and instructions) announcements,
audio media, etc.

Reading Test if the test-taker is Comprehending Test reading of a

Comprehension able to read and content short and simple
understand letters, letter, message, etc.
notices, explanations,
etc. in everyday Information search Test if the test-taker
situations. is able to find the
necessary
information from an
everyday billboard,
notice, information
material, etc.

5. Summary of linguistic competence required

for the test
This test follows the framework of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages:
Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR) adopted by “The JF Standard for Japanese-Language
Education” as a guideline for the kind of tasks the test-taker can accomplish using Japanese, and
uses the test-taker’s competence in accomplishing tasks as an indicator of their level. Competence
in accomplishing tasks is presented as their “Can-do” (description of linguistic-competence) and is
divided into six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Please refer to Figure 1 below for an illustration
of the A2 level.
Figure 3: Six levels of Can-do

This test measures the communication skills in the Japanese language required for everyday life in
Japan, comprehensively through the four sections of Script and Vocabulary, Conversation and
Expression, Listening Comprehension, and Reading Comprehension. Using “a level of Japanese
language proficiency to be able to engage in everyday conversation to a certain extent and without
difficulties in daily life,” which are necessary for working in Japan, as a guideline, this test determines
if test-takers have a certain degree of Japanese proficiency at the A2 level.

A summary of linguistic-competence required for A2 level is shown in the middle section of Table 2
below.

Table 2: Summary of linguistic-competence required for A2 level (Comparison with adjacent levels)
level Summary of linguistic-competence required for each level

B1  Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered
in work, school, leisure, etc.
 Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is
spoken.
 Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can
describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and
explanations for opinions and plans.

A2  Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate
relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography,
employment).
 Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of
information on familiar and routine matters.
 Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters
in areas of immediate need.

A1  Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the
satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
 Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details
such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has.
 level Summary of linguistic-competence required for each level

 Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to
help.

About the Test Results



1.Test result notification period and method

Test-takers will be notified of their test result as follows.
*Applicable for the tests of April, May and June 2019, and subject to changes after that.
On the day of the The assessment results will be displayed on the screen when the test
test ends.

Within two weeks The test-taker will receive the official notification of assessment
after the test results (PDF form with his/her face photo) via email.
The official notification includes information as below.
・Examinee ID number ・Name ・Nationality
・Date of birth ・Sex ・Test location ・Test date
・Assessment results ・Total Score
・Percentage of correct answers for each section

2. Test results
The official notification of assessment results includes the total score and the assessment results
based on the score (whether or not the test-taker has reached a level of Japanese language
proficiency to be able to engage in everyday conversation to a certain extent and without difficulties
in daily life). The percentage of correct answers for each section will also be included for the test-
taker’s reference.

The total score is not simply the sum of the number of correct answers. It is a scaled score
calculated using a statistical method called “equalization.” The range of the total score is from 10 –
250 points. If the total score is above the passing score (200 points), the test-taker is assessed to
have reached a level of Japanese language proficiency to be able to engage in everyday
conversation to a certain extent and without difficulties in daily life.
 About the Implementation of the Test
1. Philippines
1. （1）Test schedule
April 13 (Saturday) and 14 (Sunday), 2019
May 25 (Saturday), 26 (Sunday) and 27 (Monday), 2019
June 15 (Saturday), 16 (Sunday), 22 (Saturday), 23 (Sunday) and 24 (Monday), 2019
2. （2）Citiy for the implementation of the test
Prometric Test Center c/o 2/F Ateneo de Manila University (Manila)
130 HV Dela Costa St. Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227, Manila, Philippines
3. （3）Applying for the test
Applications from those who are sitting for the nursing care skills test, which is held at during the
same period, will be prioritized. Information on the method of applying for the Japan Foundation Test
for Basic Japanese will be provided to those who apply for “Nursing care skills evaluation test” and
“Nursing care Japanese language evaluation test.” The tests implemented in May and June are
for those who take Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese for the first time.
4. （4）Test fee
1,500 Philippine pesos