Key facts
- The BJT is a computer-based test with 80 questions in about 2 hours, in three parts: listening (聴解), listening & reading (聴読解) and reading (読解).[1],[11]
- There is no pass or fail: you get a score from 0 to 800 and one of six levels, J5 to J1+.[2]
- From 15 April 2026, a BJT score of 400 or more counts as CEFR B2 Japanese for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務) applications by category 3 and 4 employers for jobs that mainly use language.[4]
- In the Highly Skilled Professional points system, BJT 480+ adds 15 points and 400+ adds 10 points.[5],[6]
- The test costs ¥8,000 (tax included) in Japan. After taking it, you must wait 3 months before the next attempt.[9],[3]
- In fiscal year 2025, 7,637 people took the BJT; the average score was 420.0.[12]
Format
80 questions in total, each with four options. Including instructions and a questionnaire, the test takes about 2 hours.[1]
| Part | Time | Sections (questions) |
|---|---|---|
| 第1部 聴解 | about 45 min | 場面把握問題（5）・発言聴解問題（10）・総合聴解問題（10） |
| 第2部 聴読解 | about 30 min | 状況把握問題（5）・資料聴読解問題（10）・総合聴読解問題（10） |
| 第3部 読解 | 30 min | 語彙・文法問題（10）・表現読解問題（10）・総合読解問題（10） |
In the listening parts you look at a photo, an illustration or a document while you listen. In Part 1 (聴解) the options are only spoken.[2],[13]
Score and levels
The score is calculated with item response theory (IRT); it is not your number of correct answers. Each of the three parts also gets a rank from 1 to 7.[2]
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| J1+ | 600–800 |
| J1 | 530–599 |
| J2 | 420–529 |
| J3 | 320–419 |
| J4 | 200–319 |
| J5 | 0–199 |
Visas: why 400 and 480 matter
Japan’s Immigration Services Agency uses BJT scores in several rules.
| Score | Used for |
|---|---|
| 400+ | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務): from 15 April 2026, category 3 and 4 employers must show CEFR B2 for jobs that mainly use language (translation, interpreting, customer service). For Japanese, JLPT N2+ or BJT 400+ qualifies[4] |
| 480+ | Highly Skilled Professional points: 15 points (same as JLPT N1)[5] |
| 400+ | Highly Skilled Professional points: 10 points (same as JLPT N2)[5] |
| 480+ | Designated Activities for job hunting after graduating from a Japanese university[7] |
| 400+ | Japanese level for entering a university as a student; also accepted for the Business Manager visa[7] |
| 300+ | Proof of Japanese for entering a Japanese language school (student visa)[8] |
Always check the details (category definitions, when the document is required) on the Immigration Services Agency’s current page.
Fees, test centres and booking
In Japan the test costs ¥8,000 (tax included). Fees were revised for bookings from 1 April 2026.[9]
You book on the Pearson VUE website and choose a test centre, date and time. In Japan the test runs almost every day, depending on seats, and you can book until the day before.[11],[3]
You see your score on screen right after the test, and you can print the score certificate from the Pearson website within 3 days.[1]
After a test you must wait 3 months before taking it again.[3]
Test fee outside Japan (April 2026 list)
| Country or region | Fee |
|---|---|
| China | US$104 |
| Hong Kong | HK$743 |
| India | US$37 |
| Indonesia | US$25 |
| Korea | US$57 |
| Malaysia | US$38 |
| Myanmar | US$18 |
| Philippines | US$38 |
| Singapore | S$98 |
| Taiwan | US$71 |
| Thailand | US$38 |
| Vietnam | US$33 |
| Australia | A$129 |
| United States | US$87 |
| Brazil | US$48 |
| Mexico | US$48 |
| United Kingdom | US$87 |
| France | US$87 |
| Germany | US$87 |
| Italy | US$87 |
In Vietnam you can also test at DEOW Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City and pay in local currency. Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have no test centre on the April 2026 list.[10]
How to prepare
- Check the format with the official sample questions (3 per part) and the official book “BJT 公式 模擬テスト＆ガイド” (¥1,870).[13],[14]
- Reading is 30 questions in 30 minutes: practise against the clock, finish vocabulary/grammar and expressions quickly, and keep time for the long documents.
- The expression section tests keigo (honorific and humble forms), set e-mail phrases and how to speak to people outside your company.
- In the listening parts, get used to reading the document and options before the audio starts.
Who this site is for, and who it is not for
Good fit: you aim for 400 or 480 and want to practise reading in the real format and time, with explanations in English.
Not a good fit yet: you mainly need listening practice (there is a 12-question sample only), or you want a prediction of your official score (our results are rough estimates).
FAQ
How is the BJT different from the JLPT?
The JLPT has pass/fail levels N5–N1. The BJT has no pass or fail: it measures how well you use Japanese in business situations on a 0–800 scale, so one sitting tells you your level.
Do I need the BJT for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa?
Since 15 April 2026, applications by category 3 and 4 employers for jobs that mainly use language (translation, interpreting, customer service) need proof of CEFR B2. For Japanese, JLPT N2+ or BJT 400+ qualifies. Other cases generally do not need it.
How many HSP points does the BJT give?
15 points for 480 or more (same as JLPT N1) and 10 points for 400 or more (same as JLPT N2).
Can I retake it?
Yes, as often as you like, but you must wait 3 months after each attempt.
When do I get my result?
Your score appears on screen right after the test; the certificate can be printed from the Pearson website within 3 days.
Is this site official?
No. Business Japanese Prep is an independent study service, not affiliated with the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation. All questions are original.
Sources
- 日本漢字能力検定協会「BJTビジネス日本語能力テスト」受験者向けパンフレット（2026年4月）
- 日本漢字能力検定協会 BJT「レベル＆サンプル」
- 日本漢字能力検定協会 BJT「試験について」
- 出入国在留管理庁「在留資格『技術・人文知識・国際業務』」【お知らせ】（2026年4月15日以降の申請）
- 出入国在留管理庁「高度人材ポイント制の加点対象となる日本語能力一覧」
- 出入国在留管理庁「ポイント計算表」
- 日本漢字能力検定協会 BJT「特徴＆メリット」
- 出入国在留管理庁「日本語教育機関で教育を受けるために必要な日本語能力の証明」（試験一覧）
- 日本漢字能力検定協会 BJT「申込方法」（日本での受験料）
- BJT Test fee list (April 2026)
- BJT “About CBT” (Pearson VUE)
- 日本漢字能力検定協会「2025年度 BJT 結果の概要」（2026年6月公開）
- 日本漢字能力検定協会 BJT サンプル問題（第3部 読解部門）
- 日本漢字能力検定協会 BJT「教材案内」
- BJTビジネス日本語能力テスト 公式サイト
Business Japanese Prep is independent. It is not a product of the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation and is not endorsed by it. “BJT” is a registered trademark of the Foundation.