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Meta title: EJU Exam Guide 2026–2027: Subjects, Scores, Venues | StudyU
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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# EJU Exam Guide: Subjects, Scores, 2026–2027 Dates and Where to Sit It

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The EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students, 日本留学試験) is the entrance exam international applicants take for Japanese-taught degrees at Japanese universities. JASSO, Japan's student services organisation, holds two sessions a year, in June and November. You sit only the subjects your target faculty asks for — Japanese as a Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science or "Japan and the World" — and receive scores rather than a pass or fail. Scores stay valid for two years. There is no single pass mark, and the exam is held only in Japan and 17 Asian cities: the Russian venue closed in 2024, and there is none in Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan.

The practical questions come first: where to sit the exam without a venue at home and what it costs, whether your route needs it at all, which session to choose and how to plan for an April 2028 start, and how to register. After that: how the exam is built, how scores work and how universities use them.

An empty classroom with rows of desks on Kanazawa University's Kodatsuno campus, Japan. Photo: Genppy / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kanazawa_Univ._Kodatsuno_campus-11.JPG), [Public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:PD-self).

## EJU at a glance {#section-1}

| Item | What applies | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Organiser | JASSO, the Japan Student Services Organization | JASSO |
| Purpose | Admission to undergraduate programmes, junior colleges, colleges of technology and professional training colleges; occasionally graduate schools | JASSO |
| Institutions using it | 507 universities, 83 graduate schools and about 360 other institutions — 950 in total (September 2026) | JASSO |
| 2026 sessions | 21 June and 8 November; results 28 July and 15 December | JASSO |
| 2027 sessions | Not published as of 24 Sep 2026; the established pattern is June and November | JASSO |
| Fee in Japan | $76 (JPY 12,000) for one subject, $146 (JPY 23,000) for two or three | JASSO |
| Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan | Not offered; the Vladivostok venue closed in 2024 | JASSO |
| Validity | 2 years, i.e. up to four recent sessions | JASSO |

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 (USD 1 ≈ JPY 157.1), rounded.

## Where to sit the EJU from Russia, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan {#section-2}

JASSO's overseas venue page states that the EJU has not been offered in Russia (Vladivostok) since 2024. There are no venues in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan or anywhere else in Central Asia. Outside Japan it runs in 17 cities in 13 countries and regions, all in Asia: Hong Kong, New Delhi, Jakarta and Surabaya, Kuala Lumpur, Ulaanbaatar, Yangon, Manila, Seoul and Busan, Singapore, Colombo, Taipei, Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

There are three realistic options.

1. Sit it in Japan while at language school. The most common path: you arrive on a student visa and take the EJU at a Japanese venue. Schools often register students as a group and help with payment and the exam voucher. See our overview of [Japanese language schools](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-japanese-language-schools-in-japan).
2. Travel to an overseas venue such as Seoul, Busan or Ulaanbaatar. JASSO allows this if you have a proxy in that country to collect the form, pay the fee and receive the voucher; you understand the language used for instructions in the exam room; and you arrange entry yourself. Neither JASSO nor its representatives issue visa documents.
3. Fly to Japan just for the exam. JASSO permits it, but vouchers for exams in Japan are mailed only to Japanese addresses, so someone in Japan must receive it for you, and you arrange a short-term visa yourself. For applicants from Russia this is the costliest and riskiest option.

There is also a workaround: for applicants from countries where the EJU is not offered, some universities accept JLPT results instead. JASSO mentions the practice, but the decision rests with each university, so check its guidelines before planning a trip to an exam venue.

### How much it costs

| Where | 1 subject | 2–3 subjects |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Japan | $76 (JPY 12,000) | $146 (JPY 23,000) |
| Republic of Korea | $48 (KRW 65,000) | $81 (KRW 110,000), plus $3 (KRW 3,830) postage |
| Mongolia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and others | Local-currency fee listed in the overseas bulletin |  |

The Japanese fee includes postage for the voucher. Once paid it is not refunded or transferred to a later session, and changing subjects during the application period means paying again. Two and three subjects cost the same. Korean fees are converted at the ECB rate of 29 September 2026 (USD 1 ≈ KRW 1,353).

## Does your route need the EJU? {#section-3}

| Your route | EJU needed? | What is required instead or as well |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Japanese-taught bachelor's at a national or public university | Almost always | The university's own exam or interview, often TOEFL; sometimes JLPT |
| Japanese-taught bachelor's at a private university | Often, not always | The university's own exam, JLPT |
| English-taught bachelor's | Usually not | IELTS or TOEFL, SAT/ACT/IB/A levels, essays |
| Bridge programme with Japanese from zero (e.g. Kyoto iUP) | No | TOEFL or IELTS, documents, online interview |
| Master's | Rarely: 83 graduate schools use it | Research plan, supervisor's agreement, JLPT or English |
| MEXT scholarship via embassy | No | The embassy's own exams |

If you are still choosing a route, start with our guides to a [bachelor's in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-japan) and [English-taught degrees in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-japan).

## 2026–2027 dates: which session to choose {#section-4}

| Session | Application | Exam | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1st session 2026 | 16 Feb – 12 Mar 2026 (in Japan by 5 p.m. JST) | 21 June 2026 | 28 July 2026 |
| 2nd session 2026 | 6 – 30 July 2026 | 8 Nov 2026 | 15 Dec 2026 |
| 2027 sessions | Not published as of 24 Sep 2026 | Established pattern: June and November | — |

Overseas application windows match Japan's, but each local representative sets the exact procedure. The window lasts about a month and opens three to four months before the exam.

Choosing a session: most Japanese universities select April entrants over the winter, so the November session of the previous year is usually the last chance. The June session suits autumn intakes and works as a rehearsal. Results must be out before the university's application deadline.

## A 12-month plan to the November session {#section-5}

Example for an applicant targeting a Japanese-taught bachelor's from April 2028 and sitting the EJU in November 2027.

| When | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Nov–Dec 2026 | Shortlist 3–5 programmes and note their EJU requirements; assess your Japanese; decide where you will sit the exam |
| Jan–Mar 2027 | Japanese: daily academic reading and listening; maths and science to the 2026 syllabuses, in English if your universities allow it |
| Apr–Jun 2027 | JASSO past papers (published for 2010–2021); a first attempt in June if you are already in Japan |
| July 2027 | Register for November during the window (in 2026: 6–30 July) |
| Aug–Oct 2027 | Review June mistakes, timed writing practice, mock exams |
| Nov 2027 | Exam; apply to universities whose deadlines fall before results come out |
| Dec 2027 – Feb 2028 | Results, university exams and interviews, decisions |

Many applicants from Russia take the subject tests in English so that their effort goes into the Japanese section rather than into terminology — possible only where the university allows English questions.

## How to register {#section-6}

In Japan, you apply through EJU Online during the application period, uploading a face photo without a hat or background taken within the last six months. Payment is by card, at a convenience store or by bank transfer. Schools and organisations can apply as a group; the group coordinator may see members' scores only with their written consent.

Outside Japan, you get the form from the local JASSO representative in the exam city and submit it in person or by post (online in a few cities) with three photos of 4 × 3 cm taken within six months. After submission you cannot change subjects, question language or venue.

Step by step:

1. List the EJU requirements of 3–5 target programmes: subjects, maths course, question language, accepted sessions.
2. Merge them into one set; where they differ, choose the combination that covers the most programmes.
3. Pick the venue and session so that results arrive before university deadlines.
4. Apply within the window and keep the exam voucher: you need it to enter the exam and to apply to universities.
5. Check your scores in EJU Online and quote your registration number in applications.

## What the exam consists of {#section-7}

| Subject | Time | Score range | Question language | Who needs it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Japanese as a Foreign Language | 125 min | 0–400 (reading 0–200, listening and listening-reading 0–200) plus writing 0–50 | Japanese only | Nearly everyone applying to Japanese-taught programmes |
| Science | 80 min | 0–200 | Japanese or English | Engineering, sciences, medicine, agriculture |
| Japan and the World | 80 min | 0–200 | Japanese or English | Humanities, economics, social sciences |
| Mathematics | 80 min | 0–200 | Japanese or English | Course 1 for humanities and some science faculties; Course 2 for engineering and hard sciences |

Three rules that trip people up:

- Science and Japan and the World are in the same time slot, so you can take only one of them.
- Science means two of three subjects (physics, chemistry, biology), chosen on the exam day. Answer only one and the section is not graded.
- The maths course is also chosen on the day. Course 1 covers Japanese high-school Mathematics I and A; Course 2 adds II, B, III and C.

The question language for Mathematics, Science and Japan and the World is fixed in your application and cannot be changed afterwards. Many universities prescribe it, so read the faculty's rules first.

The exam day in Japan runs: Japanese 9:30–12:00, Science or Japan and the World 13:30–15:00, Mathematics 15:40–17:10. Within the Japanese test, writing (30 minutes) comes first, then reading (40 minutes), then listening and listening-reading (about 55 minutes).

### What changed from 2026

From the first 2026 session, revised syllabuses apply to Science, Japan and the World and Mathematics, aligned with Japan's new high-school curriculum. In chemistry, enthalpy replaced thermochemical equations and solubility product was added; biology added ecosystems and human activities; both maths courses added expected value, and Course 2 added probability distributions. Japan and the World is essentially unchanged in scope, with new topic headings such as "Regions of the modern world" and "The post-Cold War world". If you study from older books, check them against the [current JASSO syllabuses](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/about/revision/rev_basic.html).

## How scoring works {#section-8}

The EJU never says pass or fail. Every scale except writing uses equated scores: JASSO adjusts for the difficulty of each test version so that 80 points in June means the same as 80 in November. The share of correct answers therefore does not convert directly into your final score.

Writing is marked on fixed values: 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50. A blank or off-topic answer, among other things, scores zero.

Scores are valid for two years, so a university can see up to four of your latest sessions. Within that window it may accept only specific sessions — for example, only the November before entry. You check your own results in EJU Online, and universities request scores from JASSO directly.

## What EJU score do you need? {#section-9}

There is no official pass mark. Each university decides, often combining the EJU with its own exam, an interview and school grades. Useful reference points from primary sources:

- Study in Japan (JASSO's portal) gives a benchmark for Japanese-taught undergraduate and junior college programmes: at least 250 on the EJU Japanese section plus JLPT N1 or N2.
- APU accepts, for its 2027 Japanese-basis track, an EJU score of at least 250 in reading and listening plus at least 30 in writing — both minimums apply. Alternatives are JLPT N1 with 100+ or N2 with 120+.
- JASSO publishes a pre-arrival admission table with the "acceptance level" and minimum scores for applying at universities that agreed to disclose them (July–October 2025 survey). JASSO itself notes that these are only part of the picture, since decisions also rest on documents and interviews.

Competitive faculties at national universities admit well above any published minimum. The practical approach is to look for past statistics or minimums in the university's guidelines and aim with a margin.

## How universities use scores, and pre-arrival admission {#section-10}

"Using the EJU" means the university obtains your scores from JASSO and considers them in selection, often alongside its own exam, an interview or a document review. [JASSO's lists](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/use/index.html) show which institutions use the EJU and with which subjects, though JASSO warns that institutions not on the lists may use it too.

Some institutions decide before you arrive in Japan. As of August 2026 this pre-arrival admission is offered by 112 universities (24 national, 4 public and 84 private), 6 graduate schools, 51 colleges of technology, 83 professional training colleges and 14 other institutions. You sit the EJU abroad with the subjects and language the university specifies, send your documents and receive a decision without travelling for entrance tests. For applicants from Russia this still means sitting the EJU in an Asian city.

## Scholarship for high scorers {#section-11}

Privately financed applicants with exceptionally high EJU scores are selected by JASSO for the reservation programme of the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship: $304 (JPY 48,000) a month, an amount that may change each academic year. You tick the option when registering for the EJU; there is no separate competition. For other funding see our guides to the [MEXT scholarship](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-mext-scholarship) and [scholarships abroad](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## EJU vs JLPT {#section-12}

| Item | EJU | JLPT |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What it tests | Academic Japanese and school subjects | General Japanese |
| Result | Scores, no levels, no pass/fail | Levels N5–N1, pass/fail |
| Writing | Yes, 0–50 | No |
| Separate vocabulary and grammar items | No | Yes |
| Validity | 2 years | No expiry (universities may set a recency limit) |
| In Russia | Not offered | Offered |

JASSO stresses that the two cannot be compared in difficulty or converted into each other. An N1 or N2 certificate does not exempt you from the EJU Japanese test where a university requires the EJU. See our [JLPT guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-jlpt-exam-guide).

## Common mistakes {#section-13}

- Registering for everything. Extra subjects do not help, while the wrong question language or maths course can disqualify you from a target programme.
- Mixing up EJU and JLPT requirements. One does not replace the other unless the university says so.
- Sitting the exam too early. Scores last two years and some universities accept only the latest one or two sessions.
- Counting on a venue in Russia. There has been none since 2024; plan travel, accommodation and entry in advance.
- Using old books without checking the 2026 syllabuses. Chemistry, biology and maths topics changed.
- Missing the application window. It lasts under a month and closes three to four months before the exam; fees cannot be carried over.

## What StudyU does {#section-14}

Only the initial consultation is free, and you can book it via the link at the end of this guide. Shortlisting programmes, reconciling EJU and language requirements, choosing a language school and exam venue, the application timeline and application support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. JASSO issues scores, universities make admission decisions, and the Japanese embassy or consulate decides on visas. The full process is covered in our guide to [applying to Japanese universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-japanese-universities); for the wider picture see [Study in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-japan).

## FAQ {#faq}

### Is the EJU held in Russia?

No. According to JASSO, the exam has not been offered in Vladivostok since 2024, and there is no other Russian venue. The nearest overseas venues are Seoul, Busan and Ulaanbaatar; most applicants from Russia sit it in Japan while at language school.

### How many times can I take the EJU?

There is no limit on attempts or age. Scores are valid for two years, so a university may see up to four recent sessions; its guidelines state which it counts.

### What is a good EJU score?

There is no single threshold. Official reference points: Study in Japan cites at least 250 on the Japanese section plus JLPT N1 or N2 for Japanese-taught programmes, and APU's Japanese track requires 250 in reading and listening plus 30 in writing. Competitive national-university faculties need a margin above such minimums.

### Can I take maths and science in English?

Yes. Mathematics, Science and Japan and the World are available in English; the Japanese section is Japanese only. You choose the language in your application, and many universities prescribe it.

### Do English-taught programmes require the EJU?

Usually not. They look at English (IELTS or TOEFL), school results, essays and sometimes the SAT or IB. Check each programme's guidelines.

### Do master's programmes require the EJU?

Usually not. 83 graduate schools use it, but most focus on the degree, research plan, supervisor's agreement and language. See our guide to a [master's in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-japan).

### When will the 2027 EJU dates be announced?

As of 24 September 2026 JASSO has not published them. In recent years the exam has been held in June and November, with applications opening three to four months earlier. Watch [JASSO's schedule page](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/schedule.html).

## Sources {#section-16}

- [JASSO: EJU 2026 schedule](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/schedule.html), [application methods](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/procedure/application.html), [examination fee](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/procedure/examination_fee.html) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [JASSO: subjects](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/procedure/subject.html), [timing](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/procedure/examination_time.html), [question language](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/procedure/language.html), [revised 2026 syllabuses](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/about/revision/rev_basic.html) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [JASSO: 2026 overseas venues and the Russia closure](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/site/jun_out_japan.html), [overseas FAQ](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/faq_eju/overseas.html), [2026 overseas bulletin](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2026/01/20/2026eju_bulletin_oversea_e.pdf) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [JASSO: scoring](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/faq_eju/score.html), [relation to the JLPT](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/faq_eju/jlpt.html), [use by universities](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/faq_eju/use.html) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [JASSO: number of institutions using the EJU](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/use/use_number.html), [pre-arrival admission](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/prearrival/number.html) and [acceptance levels and minimum scores](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/prearrival/required_score.html) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [JASSO: Honors Scholarship reservation programme](https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/scholarship_j/shoreihi/yoyaku_eju/index.html) and [Study in Japan: examinations](https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/examination/) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [Study in Japan: universities and Japanese requirements](https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/learn-about-schools/universities/) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [APU: 2027 eligibility and language requirements](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/admissions/application_eligibility/) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [ECB reference rates](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/index.en.html), 29 Sep 2026: EUR 1 = USD 1.1355 = JPY 178.41 = KRW 1,536.74

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Bachelor's in Japan for International Students: Programmes, Requirements, Costs and 2027–2028 Timelines](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-japan)
- [JLPT Exam Guide: Levels N5–N1, Scores, Dates and Test Centres](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-jlpt-exam-guide)
- [Master's in Japan: How to Apply, Find a Supervisor and Budget for 2027–2028](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-japan)
- [English-Taught Degrees in Japan: Bachelor's and Master's Programmes, Requirements and Fees in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-japan)
- [Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026)
- [Studying in Japan for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-japan)

Updated: September 2026