EIKEN Grades

Each of the seven EIKEN grades is a separate test with a unique set of test items and tasks designed for that level. The grades are designed to provide well-defined steps that can act as both motivational goals and concrete measures of English ability as learners move through the spectrum of commonly recognized ability levels.

Click on the grades below for test structure and other details.

EIKEN Grade	CEFR Comparison	Example of recognition/use	Examinees in 2009
1	C1	International admissions to graduate and undergraduate programs	26,775
Pre-1	B2		72,367
2	B1	MEXT* benchmarks for high school graduates	308,814
Pre-2	A2	MEXT* benchmarks for high school graduates	484,781
3	A1	MEXT benchmark for junior high school graduates	637,213
4			440,310
5			292,599

* The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT)

Interpreting claims of test comparability: important considerations, concerns, and caveats