eiken

Eiken, formally the Eiken Practical English Proficiency Test, is a standardized English language assessment developed and administered by the Eiken Foundation of Japan. It is designed to measure practical English ability across listening, reading, and speaking skills and is widely used in Japanese education and employment contexts.

The test was established in 1963 by the Eiken Foundation of Japan and has since become one of the country’s most common English proficiency certifications. It is offered at multiple levels to accommodate learners from beginner to advanced, with the standard levels commonly described as Grade 5 through Grade 1. In addition to these, two “Pre” levels (Pre-2 and Pre-1) are used as intermediate benchmarks in some testing cycles. The exam format generally includes a written component focused on reading and listening, and a separate Speaking Test that is available for higher levels or as an additional module.

Eiken is widely used in Japan for school reasons, including graduation requirements, course placement, and by some teachers and schools as a measure of English proficiency. It is also used by certain universities and employers, though recognition and the required passing level can vary by institution and industry. Outside Japan, Eiken is offered at overseas centers but has more limited recognition compared with some international English tests. The Foundation continues to oversee test development and certification standards to reflect practical English use.