EJU Exam Preparation in English: Complete Study Guide & Past Papers

2026/11/12

If you want to study for a bachelor’s degree at a Japanese university, the EJU is likely the most important exam on your path, and you can take three of its four subjects in English. This guide explains what the EJU is, which subjects you can sit in English, how to register from inside or outside Japan, where to find official past papers, and what comes after the exam: university-specific tests, interviews and the Japanese you will need.

Most readers of this guide share the same starting point. You studied in English or your native language, your Japanese is still developing, and you may be preparing from abroad with few English-language resources. The usual obstacles are knowing which subjects your target university requires, registering on time from overseas, finding reliable practice material, and reaching the Japanese level that the exam and interviews demand. Each section below tackles one of these obstacles in order.

Item	Key facts (2026 official information)
Full name	Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (日本留学試験 Nihon Ryūgaku Shiken)
Administrator	Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)
Sessions per year	2 (June and November)
Subjects	Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science, Japan and the World, Mathematics
English option	Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics only
Score validity	2 years (up to 4 sessions can be used)
Overseas test sites	17 cities in 13 countries and regions, all in Asia

Source: JASSO, Guidelines for 2026 EJU.

What Is the EJU? Its Role in Japanese University Admissions

The EJU is a standardized test that Japanese universities use to measure an international applicant’s academic Japanese and basic academic ability before undergraduate admission. It is run by JASSO with the cooperation of Japan’s education and foreign ministries, and it is designed for people who want to enter undergraduate programs at Japanese universities and similar institutions (JASSO).

The EJU is a score, not a pass/fail exam

There is no passing mark. JASSO states that universities look up your scores and use them as one reference in their own selection process (JASSO FAQ). Whether a score is “good enough” depends entirely on the university and faculty you apply to.

How many schools use the EJU?

As of October 2026, 954 institutions in Japan use EJU scores for admission, including 508 universities. The breakdown below shows where the exam matters most (JASSO).

School type	National	Public	Private	Total
Universities	77	61	370	508
Professional training colleges (専門学校 senmon gakkō)	0	2	214	216
Junior colleges (短期大学 tanki daigaku)	0	9	79	88
Graduate schools (大学院 daigakuin)	9	16	58	83
Colleges of technology (高専 kōsen)	51	0	0	51
Other (online, professional and vocational universities, others)	0	2	6	8

The EJU is not required everywhere

The EJU is widely used, but it is not mandatory for every university or faculty. JASSO confirms that each school decides for itself, and some undergraduate programs, graduate schools and junior colleges do not use it at all (JASSO FAQ). English-taught degree programs, for example, often assess applicants through documents and English test scores instead.

So the first step is always the same: check the admission guidelines (募集要項 boshū yōkō) of each university you are considering. Confirm whether the EJU is required, which subjects, which language, and which sessions are accepted. If you are still deciding between Japanese-taught and English-taught programs, see our guide Can I Study in Japan Without Knowing Japanese?

Pre-arrival admission: get accepted before you travel

Some schools let you apply using your EJU scores without coming to Japan for an entrance exam. This is called pre-arrival admission (渡日前入学許可 tonichi-mae nyūgaku kyoka). As of November 2026, 268 schools offer it, including 112 universities and 51 colleges of technology (JASSO). For students preparing from abroad, this can save a costly trip to Japan.

The Four EJU Subjects and Which Ones You Can Take in English

The EJU has four subjects. Three of them (Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics) can be taken in English or Japanese, while Japanese as a Foreign Language is given in Japanese only (JASSO). You do not take all four. You take only the subjects your target university specifies.

Subject	Time	Score range	Exam language	Format
Japanese as a Foreign Language (日本語 Nihongo)	125 min	Reading + Listening/Listening-Reading: 0–400; Writing: 0–50	Japanese only	Multiple choice + written essay
Science (理科 Rika): choose 2 of Physics (物理 Butsuri), Chemistry (化学 Kagaku), Biology (生物 Seibutsu)	80 min	0–200	English or Japanese	Multiple choice
Japan and the World (総合科目 Sōgō Kamoku)	80 min	0–200	English or Japanese	Multiple choice
Mathematics (数学 Sūgaku): Course 1 (コース1 Kōsu Ichi) or Course 2 (コース2 Kōsu Ni)	80 min	0–200	English or Japanese	Multiple choice

Source: JASSO, Guidelines for 2026 EJU. Scores other than Writing are reported on a common scale, not as raw scores.

Japanese as a Foreign Language: always in Japanese

This subject measures the academic Japanese you need to follow university classes. It has three parts: Writing, Reading Comprehension, and Listening and Listening-Reading Comprehension. Choosing English for your other subjects does not change this. If your university requires the Japanese subject, you must take it in Japanese, and it is the subject most international students find hardest to raise quickly.

The Writing section is an essay you write yourself. JASSO grades it against fixed criteria, and only certain scores are possible: 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 (JASSO FAQ).

Science: choose two of Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Science is for applicants to science, engineering, medicine, agriculture and similar faculties. You answer two of the three fields, and your university usually tells you which two. A medical or life-science faculty may require Chemistry and Biology, while an engineering faculty often requires Physics and Chemistry.

Japan and the World: the humanities and social science paper

Japan and the World tests the thinking and logical reasoning needed for liberal arts study (JASSO). Questions draw on politics, economics, society, geography and history, often through charts and data, with a focus on modern Japan and its place in the world. Applicants to law, economics, business and humanities faculties usually take it.

Mathematics: Course 1 or Course 2

Course 1 is for liberal arts programs and science programs that use relatively little math. Course 2 is for programs that rely heavily on mathematics, such as science and engineering (JASSO FAQ). Course 2 covers everything in Course 1 plus more advanced topics such as calculus, so do not choose it unless your faculty asks for it.

Rule: you cannot take Science and Japan and the World together

You may not choose both Science and Japan and the World in the same session (JASSO). In practice this splits applicants into two typical tracks.

Track	Typical subjects	Typical faculties
Science track (理系 rikei)	Japanese + Science (2 fields) + Mathematics Course 2	Science, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture
Humanities track (文系 bunkei)	Japanese + Japan and the World + Mathematics Course 1	Law, economics, business, sociology, literature

These are typical patterns only. Some faculties require only the Japanese subject, and some let you choose between Japan and the World and Mathematics. Always follow your university’s guidelines.

Can you take the whole EJU in English?

No. You can take Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics in English, but not Japanese as a Foreign Language. You pick your language when you apply, based on what your university accepts (JASSO). Some universities specify Japanese-language question papers even for math or science, so check before you register.

Also note that the EJU contains no English test. Universities that want proof of English ask for TOEFL, IELTS or a similar score, or run their own English exam (JASSO FAQ).

2026 syllabus revision

JASSO applied revised syllabuses for Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics from the 1st Session of 2026 (JASSO). Download the current EJU Syllabus before you buy study materials, and use it to check that older textbooks still match the exam scope.

EJU Test Dates and How to Apply (Including Overseas Test Sites)

The EJU is held twice a year, in June and November, and registration closes about three to four months before each exam. The table shows the official 2026 schedule, the most recent one JASSO has published (JASSO, Examination Schedule).

Step	1st Session (第1回 Dai-ikkai)	2nd Session (第2回 Dai-nikai)
Application period	Feb 16 – Mar 12, 2026	Jul 6 – Jul 30, 2026
Exam voucher mailed (in Japan)	May 22, 2026 (tentative)	Oct 16, 2026 (tentative)
Exam date	Sunday, June 21, 2026	Sunday, November 8, 2026
Score release	July 28, 2026 (tentative)	December 15, 2026 (tentative)

At the time of writing, JASSO had not yet published the 2027 schedule. Expect the same June and November pattern, but confirm exact dates on the JASSO schedule page before you plan. Missing the application window means waiting another six months.

Which session should you take?

For April enrollment, most applicants take the June and/or November session of the previous year. Because scores stay valid for two years and up to four sessions can be used, many students sit the exam twice and submit their best result (JASSO FAQ). However, each university decides which sessions it accepts, and deadlines differ. A university with an early application window may only accept June scores, so work backward from your target school’s deadline.

How to apply in Japan

If you take the exam in Japan, you apply online through EJU Online after reading the EJU Bulletin (JASSO). The application closes at 5:00 p.m. Japan time on the last day. Your exam voucher arrives by mail before the test.

How to apply from outside Japan

Overseas, you apply through the EJU Overseas Representative in your test city, not through JASSO directly. Depending on the site, you submit the form in person or by mail, and only a few sites accept online applications (JASSO). Find your local office on the EJU Overseas Representatives page and contact it early, since the paperwork and payment methods vary.

Overseas test cities and fees

The EJU is offered in 17 cities across 13 countries and regions, all in Asia (JASSO FAQ). There are no test sites in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa or Oceania, so students there must travel to Japan or an Asian test city.

Country / region	Test city	2026 fee
Japan	17 areas nationwide	JPY 12,000 (1 subject) / JPY 23,000 (2–3 subjects)
Hong Kong	Hong Kong	HKD 600 / HKD 1,150
India	New Delhi	INR 1,300
Indonesia	Jakarta, Surabaya	IDR 110,000
Malaysia	Kuala Lumpur	MYR 90
Mongolia	Ulaanbaatar	MNT 70,000
Myanmar	Yangon	USD 20
Philippines	Manila	PHP 750
South Korea	Seoul, Busan	KRW 65,000 / KRW 110,000
Singapore	Singapore	SGD 65
Sri Lanka	Colombo	LKR 1,850
Taiwan	Taipei	TWD 1,500 / TWD 2,000
Thailand	Bangkok, Chiang Mai	THB 400
Vietnam	Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City	VND 275,000

Source: JASSO, Guidelines for 2026 EJU. Where two amounts are shown, the first is for one subject and the second for two or three subjects.

If you live outside Asia

You can travel to Japan or to any overseas test city to sit the exam, but you must arrange your own visa. Neither JASSO nor the overseas representatives can issue visa documents for the EJU (JASSO FAQ). If travel is impractical, look first at universities that offer pre-arrival admission or that do not require the EJU.

Checking your scores

Scores are released on EJU Online on the announced date, and universities registered with JASSO can look them up directly from the same day (JASSO). Keep your examinee number and EJU Online login safe, as you will need them for university applications.

Scholarship tip: tick the box when you apply

When you register, you can mark the box for JASSO’s Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship reservation program. Applicants with top-ranked EJU scores are selected as reservation holders, with no separate scholarship application at that stage (JASSO). Ticking it costs nothing, so do not skip it. For MEXT and other funding options, see How to Get a Scholarship in Japan.

How to Get Official EJU Past Papers and a Subject-by-Subject Study Plan

The most reliable practice material is JASSO’s own past exams, which you can access free online or buy as official booklets. Both include English versions of Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics.

Option 1: Free past papers on the JASSO website

JASSO posts real exam questions and answers from past sessions on its Past exam questions page. The collection covers sessions from 2010 to the 1st Session of 2021, with some gaps. For the 2nd Session of 2018 and later, the Japanese and Japan and the World papers are still marked as in preparation, and only questions with copyright clearance are shown (JASSO).

These papers are protected by copyright. You may use them for personal study, but you may not upload or redistribute them, even for non-commercial purposes.

Option 2: Official question booklets (with audio CD)

JASSO’s official booklets reproduce a full year of exams, including the listening audio you need for the Japanese subject. Since the 2024 edition, one booklet is published per year. The latest is the 2025 edition from Bonjinsha, priced at JPY 2,420 including tax (ISBN 978-4-86746-038-2) (JASSO).

Edition	Publisher	Price (tax incl.)	Notes
2025 EJU (2025年度 nisen-nijūgo nendo)	Bonjinsha (凡人社 Bonjinsha)	JPY 2,420	Latest edition, with audio CD
2024 EJU (2024年度 nisen-nijūyon nendo)	Bonjinsha (凡人社 Bonjinsha)	JPY 2,420	First single annual edition
2021–2023 (by session)	Bonjinsha (凡人社 Bonjinsha)	JPY 1,980 each	Separate booklets for 1st and 2nd sessions

In Japan, the booklets are sold at major bookstores. Outside Japan, you can browse them at Study in Japan resource facilities, EJU Overseas Representatives, and JASSO offices in Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia; contact Bonjinsha about orders (JASSO).

Use past papers with the 2026 syllabus

The syllabus for Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics changed from 2026. Past papers remain the best guide to question style and difficulty, but some topics may have been added or removed. Check each unit against the current EJU Syllabus so you do not over-study dropped content or miss new content.

How to use past papers effectively

Start with one paper early to see where you stand, then return to past papers in the final months under timed conditions. Mark your answers on a printed answer sheet, since all subjects except Writing are multiple choice. After each attempt, record every mistake by topic. This error log, not the score itself, tells you what to study next.

Subject-by-subject study plan (12 months before the exam)

The plan below assumes about 12 months of preparation and a typical subject combination. Adjust it to the subjects your university requires.

Period	Japanese (日本語 Nihongo)	Mathematics (数学 Sūgaku)	Science (理科 Rika) or Japan and the World (総合科目 Sōgō Kamoku)
Months 12–9	Build grammar and vocabulary toward an intermediate level; start reading short articles	Review high-school fundamentals in the syllabus; identify weak units	Learn core concepts from a textbook in the language you will test in
Months 8–5	Practice academic reading and listening; write one short essay per week	Work through topic-based problem sets; take your first timed past paper	Cover the full syllabus; for Japan and the World, follow current affairs and read charts and data
Months 4–2	Timed reading and listening sections; get essay feedback	Two to three full past papers per month under exam timing	Full past papers under timing; review your error log
Final month	Full mock exams; refine essay structure and timing	Revisit common errors; speed and accuracy drills	Final review of weak topics; light practice only in the last week

Study tips by subject

For Mathematics, the biggest hurdle is often the answer format rather than the math. Practice the mark-sheet style early so it feels natural on exam day. For Science, focus on the two fields your university requires, and do not spread time across all three. For Japan and the World, regular news reading about Japan and global economics is as valuable as textbook review. For Japanese, start earliest of all, because language ability grows slowly and affects your interviews too.

Note that our school does not currently offer lessons in Mathematics, Science, or Japan and the World. For those subjects, use the official materials above alongside textbooks or a dedicated EJU preparation course.

After the EJU: University Entrance Exams, Interviews and Preparing Your Japanese

For most universities, the EJU is only the first stage. JASSO notes that many schools combine EJU scores with their own entrance exam and/or an interview, so you must check each school’s selection process in advance (JASSO FAQ). This second stage is usually conducted in Japanese.

What the second stage can include

International applicants usually apply through a special admission route for privately financed international students (私費外国人留学生選抜 shihi gaikokujin ryūgakusei senbatsu). The components vary by university and faculty.

Component	What it involves
Document screening (書類審査 shorui shinsa)	Application form, transcripts, statement of purpose, EJU score submission
Interview (面接 mensetsu)	Questions on your motivation, study plan and background, usually in Japanese
Essay (小論文 shōronbun)	A written argument on a set topic, often in Japanese
Oral examination (口頭試問 kōtō shimon)	Spoken questions testing subject knowledge
University’s own written exam (学力試験 gakuryoku shiken)	For example mathematics or English, set by the faculty
English score (英語資格 eigo shikaku)	TOEFL, IELTS or similar, since the EJU has no English section

Real examples: requirements differ even within one university

Doshisha University’s 2027 list for international applicants shows how much requirements vary by faculty. All faculties listed require the EJU Japanese subject and English proof, but humanities faculties pair it with Japan and the World, while science and engineering faculties require Mathematics Course 2 and Science. Some faculties add an interview or oral exam and others do not (Doshisha University).

Wakayama University’s 2027 selection combines EJU scores, an interview held in Japanese, and application documents. It also states that it does not use the EJU Writing score (Wakayama University). Details like these can change your study priorities, so read the guidelines of every school on your list.

Typical admission timeline for April entry

Most applicants for April enrollment take the EJU in June and/or November of the previous year. University applications then open in stages, often from autumn through the following winter, followed by interviews and exams. Some universities, such as Waseda, open their international student applications as early as June (Waseda University). Build a calendar for each target school as soon as its guidelines are published, and start your statement of purpose early; our Why I Want to Study in Japan essay guide walks through structure and examples.

How to prepare for interviews in Japanese

Interviewers want to hear why you chose Japan, this university and this field, and what you plan to do after graduation. Prepare clear answers to these core questions and practice saying them aloud until they sound natural rather than memorized. Use polite language (敬語 keigo) consistently, and practice with someone who can ask unexpected follow-up questions. Being able to understand and respond to a question you did not prepare for is what separates strong candidates. For sample answers to the most common question, see Why Do You Want to Study in Japan? Best Answer & Examples.

How much Japanese do you need?

There is no single answer, because each university sets its own score expectations. As a reference point, some programs set explicit thresholds; Kansai University’s graduate literature program, for instance, requires 270 or more in EJU Japanese including Writing, or JLPT N1 (Kansai University). For undergraduate study, aim for strong upper-intermediate to advanced academic Japanese, and check past admission data where universities publish it. Note that passing the JLPT does not exempt you from the EJU Japanese subject when a university requires it (JASSO FAQ). To gauge your current level, try our JLPT online half mock exam.

A step-by-step approach to Japanese preparation

First, build a solid foundation in grammar, kanji and everyday conversation. Second, move to academic reading and listening: lectures, news, opinion pieces and charts. Third, practice structured writing, because both the EJU Writing section and university essays reward clear argument. Finally, train your speaking for interviews. Speaking is the skill most self-study learners neglect, and it is the one interviewers see directly.

Strengthen Your Japanese for the EJU and Interviews with Nihongo Online School

You can take Math, Science, and Japan and the World in English, but your Japanese still decides much of your result. The Japanese subject must be taken in Japanese, and the interviews that follow are usually in Japanese too. Nihongo Online School helps you build that skill from wherever you are, before you come to Japan.

Private 1-on-1 lessons, focused on speaking

Every lesson is a private 60-minute session over Zoom with a qualified Japanese teacher, scheduled around your timetable. Lessons are customized to your goals rather than following a fixed curriculum, and they give you as much speaking time as possible. That makes them a practical place to rehearse self-introductions, explain your study plans, and answer follow-up questions in polite Japanese.

One dedicated teacher and measurable progress

The same teacher stays with you from start to finish and adjusts your lesson plan based on your progress and homework. Each lesson comes with about two hours of guided homework to reinforce grammar and vocabulary. Your speaking is checked regularly with a 10-level conversation test and a JLPT online mock exam, so you can see how far you have come and set a realistic target.

Flexible courses for every starting point

Whether you are a complete beginner or already studying, you can choose a 150-hour kickstart course, 3- or 6-month packages, or the 90-Day Japanese Program. Since the school was founded in 2019, more than 1,000 students have studied with its teachers.

Please note that Nihongo Online School teaches Japanese only. We do not offer lessons in Mathematics, Science, or Japan and the World.

>> Start with a free trial lesson and Japanese level check to see how private online lessons can support your path to a Japanese university.

Frequently Asked Questions About the EJU

Can I take the EJU entirely in English?

No. Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics are available in English, but Japanese as a Foreign Language is given only in Japanese.

Do all Japanese universities require the EJU?

No. Each university and faculty decides whether to use it, which subjects to require, and in which language. Some programs, including many English-taught degrees, do not use it at all.

How long are EJU scores valid?

Two years. Universities can consider scores from up to four sessions, but each school decides which sessions it accepts.

Can I take Science and Japan and the World in the same session?

No. You must choose one of them per session, so pick the one your target faculty requires.

Where can I find free EJU past papers?

On JASSO’s Past exam questions page, which covers selected sessions from 2010 to 2021. Official annual booklets with audio are sold by Bonjinsha.

Conclusion: Your Next Steps

The EJU rewards early, targeted preparation. Start by listing the universities you want and confirming their EJU subjects, language and accepted sessions. Then register on time for the June or November session, practise with JASSO’s official past papers, and give your Japanese the most time of all, since it carries into the Japanese subject, essays and interviews. With a clear plan, taking three subjects in English becomes a real advantage on your path to a Japanese university.

Once you are admitted, your next step is the student visa. Our Japan student visa guide explains the documents you need, and our bank statement guide covers the financial proof immigration expects. To plan your budget, see How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad in Japan?