EJU Mathematics Preparation: Course 1 vs. Course 2, Syllabus & Study Tips

2026/11/12

If a Japanese university has asked you for an EJU Mathematics score, you face three questions at once: which course to take, what exactly is tested, and how to prepare when most study materials are written in Japanese. This guide answers all three, based on the latest official information from JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization), including the revised syllabus that took effect from the 2026 1st Session.

You will learn how the Mathematics test works, how Course 1 and Course 2 differ, how to choose between them, how to build a study plan around the official syllabus, which English-language resources and official past papers to use, and how to avoid the mistakes international students make most often.

Quick note before you start: the Mathematics test can be taken in English, but the EJU’s Japanese as a Foreign Language test is given in Japanese only. Also, not every university or department requires the EJU, and required subjects differ by school, so always confirm your target university’s application guidelines first.

Overview of EJU Mathematics

EJU Mathematics is an 80-minute, multiple-choice test scored on a 0–200 scale. It measures the basic mathematical ability you need to study at a Japanese university, and you can take it in either English or Japanese.

What Is the EJU and Where Does Mathematics Fit?

The EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) is run by JASSO with the cooperation of Japan’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It evaluates both Japanese language ability and basic academic ability for international students applying to undergraduate programs in Japan.

The EJU has four subjects: Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics. You do not take all four. You take only the subjects your target university and department require. One rule to remember: you cannot take both Science and Japan and the World in the same session.

EJU Mathematics at a Glance

Item	Details
Official name	Mathematics, EJU (日本留学試験 数学 Nihon Ryūgaku Shiken Sūgaku)
Test time	80 minutes
Score range	0–200 (common scale, not raw score)
Courses	Course 1 (コース1 Kōsu Ichi) or Course 2 (コース2 Kōsu Ni), choose one
When you choose the course	On the examination day, following your target university’s instructions
Question booklet	One booklet containing both Course 1 and Course 2 questions
Answer format	Multiple choice, marked on a mark sheet with an HB pencil
Test language	English or Japanese (chosen when you apply)
Sessions per year	Two (June and November)

Can You Take EJU Mathematics in English?

Yes. Mathematics, Science, and Japan and the World are all available in English or Japanese. You must indicate your preferred language on your application form, so decide based on what your target university accepts before you apply.

The Japanese as a Foreign Language test is different. It is given in Japanese only, with no English option. If your university requires it, you will need solid academic Japanese regardless of which language you choose for Mathematics.

One helpful detail: the English version of the Mathematics test uses standard English mathematical terms, while the Japanese version uses the terms found in Japanese high school textbooks. The symbols, however, follow Japanese textbook conventions in both versions.

How Are Scores Calculated?

Your score is not a raw count of correct answers. JASSO converts results to a common scale of 0–200 so that scores from different sessions can be compared fairly. This process is called score equating.

There is no official pass mark. Each university decides how it uses your score, and some publish minimum scores while others do not. Check the admission guidelines (募集要項 boshū yōkō) of each school you are considering.

Does Every University Require EJU Mathematics?

No. As of October 2026, JASSO lists 508 universities (77 national, 61 public and 370 private) that use the EJU in admissions. That is many schools, but it is not all of them. JASSO itself points students to a separate list of universities and junior colleges that do not require the EJU.

Even among schools that use the EJU, requirements differ widely:

• Some departments require Mathematics; many humanities programs do not.
• Some specify Course 2, others Course 1.
• Some fix the test language; others accept either.
• Many add their own entrance exams (個別試験 kobetsu shiken), such as interviews, essays or their own math test.

For example, Osaka University’s School of Science has listed Mathematics Course 2 plus specific Science subjects for its international applicants. Requirements change, so always read the latest guidelines for the exact department you want.

2026 Exam Dates and Fees

In 2026, the EJU was held on June 21 (1st Session) and November 8 (2nd Session). In Japan, the fee is JPY 12,000 for one subject and JPY 23,000 for two or three subjects; overseas fees vary by country or region. Applications open months in advance (for 2026, February and July), so check JASSO’s guidelines for the coming year early.

If you want the full picture of all EJU subjects, application steps and scores, see our complete EJU guide. [Internal link: EJU overview article]

Course 1 vs. Course 2: Differences and How to Choose

Course 1 covers basic high school math for programs that use relatively little mathematics; Course 2 covers advanced math, including calculus, for math-intensive programs. Your choice is not about which test feels easier. It is about which course your target department specifies.

The Core Difference

JASSO describes Course 1 as the course for liberal arts departments, and for science departments that use comparatively little mathematics. Course 2 is for departments that make extensive use of mathematics, such as science and engineering.

In terms of content, Course 1 covers only syllabus topics 1 to 7. Course 2 covers all 20 topics, from basic algebra through vectors, complex numbers, limits, differentiation and integration.

Course 1 vs. Course 2 Comparison Table

Item	Course 1	Course 2
Intended for	Humanities and social sciences (文系 bunkei), and science programs needing less math	Science, engineering, medicine and other math-heavy programs (理系 rikei)
Syllabus topics	Topics 1–7	Topics 1–20 (all)
Japanese curriculum basis	数学Ⅰ Sūgaku Ichi, 数学A Sūgaku Ē	数学Ⅰ Sūgaku Ichi, 数学A Sūgaku Ē, 数学Ⅱ Sūgaku Ni, 数学B Sūgaku Bī, 数学Ⅲ Sūgaku San, 数学C Sūgaku Shī
Calculus	Not included	Included (limits, derivatives, integrals)
Vectors, complex plane, conic sections	Not included	Included
Test time and score	80 minutes, 0–200	80 minutes, 0–200
Question booklet	Shared booklet with Course 2	Shared booklet with Course 1

Which Course Do Different Majors Usually Require?

The table below shows common patterns, not rules. The same field can have different requirements at different universities, so treat it as a starting point for your research.

Field of study	Typical EJU Mathematics requirement
Engineering (工学部 Kōgakubu), Science (理学部 Rigakubu)	Usually Course 2
Medicine (医学部 Igakubu), Pharmacy (薬学部 Yakugakubu)	Usually Course 2
Agriculture (農学部 Nōgakubu), Life sciences	Often Course 2; some accept Course 1
Economics (経済学部 Keizaigakubu), Business (経営学部 Keieigakubu)	Often Course 1; some require Course 2
Law (法学部 Hōgakubu), Literature (文学部 Bungakubu), International studies	Course 1, or Mathematics not required at all
Informatics and data science (情報学部 Jōhōgakubu)	Varies; frequently Course 2

How to Choose: A Step-by-Step Process

Because the right course depends entirely on your application list, work through these steps in order:

1. List every university and department you might apply to, including backups.
2. Find each one’s latest admission guidelines and note three things: whether Mathematics is required, which course, and which test language.
3. If all your targets agree, your choice is made. Prepare for that course only.
4. If they conflict, decide which schools matter most, or plan to use both annual sessions (see below).
5. If a school does not require Mathematics at all, do not take it just in case; spend that time on the subjects it does require.

What If Your Target Schools Require Different Courses?

You can take only one Mathematics course per session, because both courses are tested at the same time from the same booklet. If one school wants Course 1 and another wants Course 2, you have two practical options.

The first is to narrow your list so the requirements match. The second is to use both sessions: for example, take Course 2 in June and Course 1 in November. This works only if both scores fall within the period each university accepts, so confirm which sessions each school will use before you commit.

Is Course 2 Always the “Safer” Choice?

Not necessarily. A Course 2 score does not automatically satisfy a Course 1 requirement, and some departments clearly state which course they accept. Course 2 also demands far more preparation time.

If you are applying to humanities or social science programs that specify Course 1, a strong Course 1 score is usually the smarter goal. Only choose Course 2 when your target departments ask for it or explicitly accept it.

Syllabus Scope and Study Plan

The official syllabus lists 20 topics: Course 1 covers topics 1–7 and Course 2 covers all 20. Your study plan should start from this list, not from a textbook’s table of contents.

What Changed in the 2026 Revised Syllabus

JASSO revised the Mathematics syllabus to follow Japan’s current high school curriculum, and the new version applies from the 2026 1st Session onward. Course 1 is now based on Mathematics I and A. Course 2 is based on Mathematics I, A, II, B, III and C.

The most practical change is new content in probability and statistics. Expected value was added to Course 1. Course 2 added both expected value and a full topic on probability distributions. This matters because past papers and many prep books were written before 2026 and do not cover these areas.

Full Syllabus: Topics 1–20

No.	Topic (Japanese name)	Key contents	Course 1	Course 2
1	Numbers and expressions (数と式 Kazu to Shiki)	Polynomials, factorization, real numbers, square roots, linear inequalities, absolute values	Yes	Yes
2	Sets and propositions (集合と命題 Shūgō to Meidai)	Sets, propositions, necessary and sufficient conditions	Yes	Yes
3	Quadratic functions (2次関数 Niji Kansū)	Graphs, maximum and minimum values, quadratic equations and inequalities	Yes	Yes
4	Figures and measurements (図形と計量 Zukei to Keiryō)	Trigonometric ratios, law of sines, law of cosines, solid figures	Yes	Yes
5	Number of outcomes and probability (場合の数と確率 Baai no Kazu to Kakuritsu)	Counting, permutations, combinations, conditional probability, expected value (new)	Yes	Yes
6	Properties of integers (整数の性質 Seisū no Seishitsu)	Divisors, primes, GCD and LCM, Euclidean algorithm, linear Diophantine equations, base n	Yes	Yes
7	Properties of figures (図形の性質 Zukei no Seishitsu)	Triangle centers, Ceva’s and Menelaus’ theorems, circles, power of a point, polyhedrons	Yes	Yes
8	Various expressions (いろいろな式 Iroiro na Shiki)	Polynomial division, binomial theorem, complex numbers, remainder and factor theorems	No	Yes
9	Figures and equations (図形と方程式 Zukei to Hōteishiki)	Lines, circles, loci, regions defined by inequalities	No	Yes
10	Exponential and logarithmic functions (指数関数・対数関数 Shisū Kansū / Taisū Kansū)	Exponent rules, logarithm properties, graphs, common logarithms	No	Yes
11	Trigonometric functions (三角関数 Sankaku Kansū)	Radians, graphs, addition formulas and their applications	No	Yes
12	Sequences (数列 Sūretsu)	Arithmetic and geometric progressions, recurrence relations, mathematical induction	No	Yes
13	Probability distributions (確率分布 Kakuritsu Bunpu)	Random variables, expected value, variance, covariance, correlation coefficient (new topic)	No	Yes
14	Vectors (ベクトル Bekutoru)	Plane and space vectors, inner products, vector equations	No	Yes
15	Complex plane (複素数平面 Fukusosū Heimen)	Polar form, De Moivre’s theorem, complex numbers and figures	No	Yes
16	Equations and curves (式と曲線 Shiki to Kyokusen)	Parabolas, ellipses, hyperbolas, parametric and polar equations	No	Yes
17	Functions (関数 Kansū)	Rational and irrational functions, inverse and composite functions	No	Yes
18	Limits (極限 Kyokugen)	Limits of sequences and functions, infinite series, continuity	No	Yes
19	Differential calculus (微分法 Bibunhō)	Derivatives, tangents, maxima and minima, graphs, velocity and acceleration	No	Yes
20	Integral calculus (積分法 Sekibunhō)	Substitution, integration by parts, area, volume, curve length	No	Yes

Remember that everything taught in Japanese elementary and junior high school is treated as already learned and can appear on the test. Basic arithmetic, plane geometry and simple equations are fair game in both courses.

Step 1: Map the Syllabus to What You Already Know

Most international students have studied a different national curriculum, so topics are covered in a different order or depth. Before you plan anything, go through the 20-topic table and mark each topic as “confident”, “partly studied” or “never studied”.

Topics that students from other curricula often have not studied in depth include the properties of integers (Euclidean algorithm, base n notation), the triangle geometry theorems in topic 7, the complex plane, and polar equations. Spot these early, because they take longer to learn from scratch.

Step 2: Build a Study Plan by Phase

The plan below assumes about six months of preparation. If you are starting Course 2 with little calculus background, allow more time, ideally eight months to a year.

Phase	Timing	Course 1 focus	Course 2 focus
Diagnose	Weeks 1–2	Try one official past paper in English without a time limit; complete your topic map	Same, using the Course 2 section
Foundations	Months 1–2	Topics 1–4: algebra, quadratic functions, trigonometric ratios	Topics 1–7, then 8–11
Expansion	Months 3–4	Topics 5–7: probability (with expected value), integers, geometry	Topics 12–20, with extra time on calculus and the new topic 13
Exam practice	Months 5–6	Timed 80-minute past papers; review every mistake	Timed 80-minute past papers; review every mistake
Final review	Last 2 weeks	Mixed problem sets, mark-sheet practice, weak-topic drills	Mixed problem sets, mark-sheet practice, weak-topic drills

Step 3: Set a Weekly Routine

A steady routine beats occasional long sessions. A practical pattern is four or five days of topic study per week, plus one longer session for mixed problems from past papers. Keep an error notebook: write down each mistake, why it happened, and the correct method, then revisit it weekly.

As the exam approaches, shift the balance from learning new content to timed practice. By the final month, you should have completed several full 80-minute papers under exam conditions.

English-Language Materials and Official Past Papers

The best English-language resource for EJU Mathematics is free: JASSO publishes official past papers in both English and Japanese on its website. Combine them with a solid concept textbook and, if you can get it, the latest official question booklet.

Official Past Papers on the JASSO Website

JASSO’s “Past exam questions” page posts selected sessions from 2010 up to the 2021 1st Session. For Mathematics, recent sessions include both a Japanese version and an English version, plus the correct answers. Each booklet contains Course 1 and Course 2 together, so make sure you answer only the section for your course.

These papers are copyrighted by JASSO. You may print and use them for personal study, but you may not upload or redistribute them, even for free.

Official EJU Question Booklets

JASSO also publishes official question booklets through Bonjinsha. Since the 2024 exams, one booklet covers a whole year, and the latest is the 2025 edition (JPY 2,420). Recent editions include English versions of the Mathematics questions alongside the Japanese ones.

The booklets are sold in major bookstores in Japan. If you live outside Japan, you can browse them at Study in Japan Resource Facilities, EJU Overseas Representatives and JASSO’s overseas offices in Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Comparing Your Main Study Materials

Material	Language	Covers 2026 new topics?	Best use
JASSO past papers (website)	English and Japanese	No (2021 and earlier)	Learning the format; timed practice
Official question booklet (日本留学試験 試験問題 Nihon Ryūgaku Shiken Shiken Mondai), Bonjinsha	Japanese and English	No (latest is 2025 exams)	The most recent official questions
ASK “EJU Practice Test and Explanation Mathematics” Course 1 / Course 2	Japanese, with a multilingual vocabulary list	Check the edition	Extra mock tests; learning Japanese math terms
ASK “High Level” series (日本留学試験対策問題集 ハイレベル 数学 Nihon Ryūgaku Shiken Taisaku Mondaishū Hai Reberu Sūgaku)	Japanese explanations; key terms in English	No, per the publisher	Topic drills for advanced students
Your own high school textbooks, IB or A-level materials	English	Partly	Learning and reviewing concepts
Bilingual math books on the Japanese curriculum (e.g., Immersion Maths)	English with Japanese keywords	Check the edition	Linking English and Japanese terminology

Filling the Gap for the New 2026 Topics

Since official past papers predate the revision, you will not find expected value questions in them for Course 1, or probability distribution questions for Course 2. Cover these with a standard high school statistics chapter in English: random variables, expected value, variance, standard deviation, covariance and the correlation coefficient.

When you buy any prep book, check the publication date and the publisher’s notes. At least one well-known publisher states that its EJU math books do not reflect the syllabus applied from the 2026 1st Session.

How to Use Past Papers Effectively

Treat your first past paper as a diagnosis, not a score. After that, always practice under real conditions: 80 minutes, no interruptions, answers marked on a printed sheet. Score yourself with the official answers, then spend at least as long reviewing mistakes as you spent on the test.

Save the most recent papers for the final month, when you want the closest match to the real exam. If you plan to sit the test in English, practice mainly with the English versions, but glance at the Japanese versions too; it helps if a university later gives you materials in Japanese.

Common Stumbling Blocks and How to Overcome Them

Most lost points in EJU Mathematics come from planning and format problems rather than from math ability alone. The issues below are the ones international students run into most, along with a fix for each.

Choosing Your Course Too Late

Some students prepare for Course 2 “to be safe,” then discover their target department wants Course 1, or the reverse. Months of study end up aimed at the wrong test.

Fix: confirm requirements for every school on your list before you start serious study. If requirements conflict, decide early whether to narrow your list or use both sessions with different courses.

Studying from Outdated Materials

All official past papers and many popular prep books predate the 2026 revision. A student who studies only from them will never practice expected value (Course 1) or probability distributions (Course 2).

Fix: use past papers for format and timing, but use the current syllabus as your checklist. Cover the new topics with an up-to-date statistics textbook.

Gaps from a Different National Curriculum

Even strong math students can be surprised by topics their school never covered, such as base n notation, linear Diophantine equations, Ceva’s and Menelaus’ theorems, the power of a point theorem, or the complex plane.

Fix: complete the topic map in Step 1 of the study plan and give “never studied” topics extra weeks. Learn the core theorem first, then practice with past-paper problems on that topic.

Unfamiliar Answer Format

EJU Mathematics is marked on a mark sheet, and many questions ask you to complete an expression by filling numbers or signs into lettered blanks rather than choosing from a short list of options. Students who only practice in their own notebooks often lose time or make marking errors on the day.

Fix: read JASSO’s “How to Answer” guide and sample answer sheets, then practice past papers by marking a printed answer sheet. Pay attention to the instructions on how answers must be written, such as reducing fractions or simplifying square roots, so your answer fits the blanks.

Running Out of Time

Eighty minutes passes quickly, especially for Course 2. A common pattern is spending too long on one difficult part and leaving later questions blank.

Fix: practice full papers with a timer from month five onward. Set a rough time budget per question, move on when you hit it, and come back if time remains. Questions often build step by step, so later parts may still be solvable even if you got stuck midway.

Notation Differences

The test uses symbols from Japanese high school textbooks, even in the English version. Students may see conventions they are less used to, such as ≦ and ≧ for “less than or equal to” and “greater than or equal to,” or ₙCᵣ and ₙPᵣ for combinations and permutations.

Fix: while working through past papers, list every symbol that looks unfamiliar and confirm its meaning. Reading a few pages of a Japanese textbook alongside an English one also helps.

Mark-Sheet Mistakes

JASSO requires an HB pencil; ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils are not allowed. Marks that are too light, or that are not completely erased, will not be graded.

Fix: practice with an HB pencil and a plastic eraser, and on the day, check that you have marked the course (Course 1 or Course 2) you actually answered.

Neglecting Japanese and University-Specific Exams

Many students focus so heavily on Mathematics that they underprepare for the Japanese as a Foreign Language test, which is given only in Japanese, or for a university’s own entrance exams and interviews.

Fix: check every component your target schools require and balance your schedule from the start. Strong math scores rarely make up for a missing Japanese requirement.

Stumbling Blocks at a Glance

Stumbling block	Quick fix
Choosing the course too late	Confirm each school’s requirement before serious study
Outdated materials	Use the 2026 syllabus as your checklist; add statistics study
Curriculum gaps	Map all 20 topics; give unfamiliar ones extra time
Answer format	Practice with printed answer sheets and JASSO’s answering guide
Time pressure	Timed 80-minute papers; set a time budget per question
Notation differences	Keep a list of Japanese textbook symbols
Mark-sheet errors	HB pencil, clean erasing, check your course mark
Ignoring other requirements	Plan for the Japanese test (日本語 Nihongo) and individual exams (個別試験 kobetsu shiken)

Build Your Japanese Foundation Early with Nihongo Online School

You can take EJU Mathematics in English, but university life in Japan runs largely in Japanese: lectures, group work, part-time jobs, paperwork at city hall and everyday talk with classmates. Many students must also sit the Japanese as a Foreign Language test, which is given only in Japanese. The earlier you start, the less pressure you will feel when exam season arrives.

Nihongo Online School is an online Japanese school that helps learners build practical Japanese from complete beginner through JLPT N5 and N4 toward N3. It is a good fit if you want to strengthen your everyday Japanese alongside your EJU subject study. Lessons focus on the Japanese language; for EJU Mathematics itself, use the resources introduced in this guide.

Why Students Choose Nihongo Online School

• Private 1-on-1 lessons over Zoom: every 60-minute lesson is with a qualified Japanese teacher, scheduled around your study timetable.
• One dedicated teacher: the same teacher supports you from start to finish, tracks your progress and adjusts your plan as you go.
• Speaking-centered lessons with structured homework: lessons maximize your speaking time, and each lesson hour comes with about two hours of guided homework.
• A clear path for beginners: the 150-hour program (50 lesson hours plus 100 hours of self-study) builds a foundation toward JLPT N5 and ends with a Certificate of Completion.

Start with a Free Trial Lesson

Not sure where to begin? Book a free trial lesson and level check. Afterwards, you can talk through your goals and timeline with a teacher and receive a study plan that fits around your EJU preparation.

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Final Thoughts: Start with Your Target Schools

Success in EJU Mathematics starts with one decision: confirm which course, if any, your target departments require. From there, use the 2026 syllabus as your checklist, practice with JASSO’s free English past papers, add up-to-date study for the new probability and statistics content, and train under real 80-minute conditions.

Mathematics is only part of your application. If your universities also require the Japanese as a Foreign Language test, which is given only in Japanese, or Japanese-language interviews and classes after you enroll, building strong Japanese early will make every other step easier. A free trial lesson at Nihongo Online School is an easy first step.

Related guides: [Internal link: EJU overview article] · [Internal link: EJU Japanese as a Foreign Language article] · [Internal link: EJU Science article] · [Internal link: EJU Japan and the World article]