Have you ever thought of taking a Japanese language proficiency test besides the JLPT? The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is considered the number one authoritative certification to prove your Japanese language skills, and it’s most recognized, too. Most employers in Japan require N2 or N1 to consider hiring foreigners, but there are other Japanese test alternatives to JLPT.
Although the JLPT is held in as many as 85 countries and regions worldwide, it might not be available in your home country. Recently, the Japanese government announced that short-term visitors or foreigners without residency in Japan can no longer take the JLPT in Japan, further limiting their opportunities.
So what do you do if the JLPT isn’t available in your country, doesn’t fit your schedule, or simply doesn’t reflect the full range of your Japanese ability? Fortunately, there are several strong alternatives worth knowing about. Read on to find out which one might be the right fit for you.
Setbacks of the JLPT
There are a few setbacks when it comes to taking the JLPT. First, even in Japan, the JLPT is only held twice per year. Once in July and once in December, usually in the first week of each month. This means a few troubles: the window period for open applications is limited. If you miss a deadline, you will have to wait for another six months to register. This can move all your plans, like finding a job in Japan or applying for university. If there’s something urgent you need to attend to, you may not be able to reschedule, as JLPT applications close a couple of months prior to the test date.
Besides only being held twice a year, the JLPT has a few other limitations worth keeping in mind. Most notably, it doesn’t assess oral proficiency at all. With no speaking or listening production component, the exam can’t measure how naturally you express yourself, how well you hold a conversation, or how confidently you respond in real-time situations.
This is a particularly important gap to be aware of if your goal is to actually use Japanese in daily life, at work, or while living in Japan. Learners who focus purely on passing the JLPT can end up with an impressive certificate but struggle to hold a basic conversation — a frustrating and surprisingly common outcome.
The exam is a valuable benchmark, but it only measures part of what it means to know a language. Pairing your JLPT study with regular speaking practice is the best way to make sure your skills develop in a more balanced, well-rounded way.
Japanese Language Test Besides JLPT
1. J-CAT
We saw a lot of Japanese language schools and universities recommend this test when the JLPT tests were canceled, in or outside of Japan. Short for the Japanese Computerized Adaptive Test, the J-CAT can be taken online at home, with score sheets with JLPT equivalent.
The J-CAT is developed by a team at the University of Tsukuba. It uses an anti-cheating design. Once you take the test, exiting the window will log you out. The text is not copiable, and the questions are timed, too.
The Good: It’s cheaper than JLPT. In 2020, taking the J-CAT costs 3,000 yen (it used to be free before).
The Bad: The downside is that it’s not that well-known yet, so some companies and institutions might not accept the certification as proof of your Japanese proficiency. Like the JLPT, it doesn’t test speaking ability either — only listening, and reading grammar and vocabulary.
Website: www.j-cat2.org/
2. Kanji Kentei
The Japanese Kanji Aptitude Test, better known as Kanji Kentei (or Kanken for short), is the test that focuses on your kanji skill. It’s made for native Japanese speakers, which makes it especially challenging for non-native speakers.
The test is divided into 10 levels (unlike JLPT, which only has 5), with 10 being the easiest and 1 most difficult. Level 10 only tests around 80 kanji, which is equivalent to the first-grade elementary level of a Japanese student. Level 1, on the other hand, tests 6,000 kanji, which is probably why it only has a pass rate of 15%.
The paper test takes place 3 times a year, usually in February, June, and October. Registration opens 3 months prior to the test. You can apply for Kanken online through a few simple steps.
The Good: It is more convenient. You will be sitting for Kanken on a computer at a test venue on the date chosen by you. There are more than 150 test venues in Japan. Test results are published faster, too — the result slip will be mailed to you about 10 days after the test.
Website: www.kanken.or.jp
3. Business Japanese Test (BJT)
If you’re in Japan, the Business Japanese Test (BJT for short) is another option. It’s run by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, the same one behind Kanji Kentei. It’s a multiple-choice test that assesses your competence in Japanese business situations. Students who passed N1 or have advanced-level Japanese usually aim for BJT.
The BJT is specifically designed to test a candidate’s skill in Japanese business communication, so it’s widely recognized by companies. There is no pass or fail in the BJT. The points you score (meaning the correct answers you make) in total will determine your business Japanese level.
The Good: You can take the test any day and select a date and time that is convenient for you. There are a lot of testing locations outside Japan, including China, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Myanmar, India, Singapore, America, France, England, Germany, and Italy
The Bad: At 7,900 JPY, the application fee is relatively expensive. The BJT doesn’t measure any communication skills as it only has listening, listening-reading, and reading sections.
Website: www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/english/
4. J-Test
The J-Test is similar to the JLPT in terms of how it’s aimed to measure your competency in Japanese. But whereas there are five levels in JLPT (N1 to N5), the J-Test works similarly to the BJT: you get the same exam paper, and how much you can answer the test (meaning the overall score) determines your ‘level’ of Japanese proficiency.
Unlike the JLPT, however, J-Test has a writing section, so it’s a more accurate way to test your communicative ability.
The Good: It’s available six times a year, which is a good Plan B for anyone who missed the JLPT for whatever reason or failed the test. It’s also cheaper than the JLPT (3,600 JPY compared to 5,500 JPY)
The Bad: It’s not as universally recognized as the JLPT, so a lot of companies might see it as a credible certification. It’s only available in Japan and East/Southeast Asia.
Website: https://j-test.jp/
5. ACTFL OPI
The language testing element that’s always missing on all the JLPT alternatives above is the speaking section. Most tests are done in written or multiple-choice form, so it’s not the most reliable means to assess how well you can actually speak Japanese.
The Japanese ACTFL OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) is a 20 to 30-minute one-on-one spoken interview between a certified ACTFL tester and you. The whole session is speaker-centered. The tester will adjust the conversations according to how the examinee performed along the way.
The OPI involves a spontaneous, unrehearsed language, so it assesses your true ability to use Japanese appropriately in real-life situations. Your spoken language ability is evaluated based on the overall performance from a set rubric: function, accuracy, context, and more. A ‘proficiency rating’ is awarded based on how all of these factors are combined.
The Good: The ACTFL OPI is taken over the phone or on your computer, so you don’t have to be in Japan to be eligible for the interview.
The Bad: The Japanese ACTFL OPI only measures speaking ability, so it’s not as comprehensive as other tests.
Website: www.actfl.org
6. BJT
Most Japanese language tests are designed with general proficiency in mind, but what if your goal is specifically to work in a Japanese business environment? The BJT (Business Japanese Proficiency Test) is designed exactly for that purpose. Rather than testing grammar and vocabulary in isolation, it assesses how well you can use Japanese in practical workplace scenarios: meetings, negotiations, phone calls, and professional correspondence.
The test is computer-based and consists of listening and reading sections built around realistic business situations. Your performance is scored on a scale from 0 to 800, rather than a pass/fail system, giving employers a more nuanced picture of your actual business communication ability.
Because it focuses on professional Japanese rather than everyday or academic language, the BJT is particularly valued by companies in Japan and multinational firms hiring for Japan-facing roles.
The Good: The BJT’s scoring scale gives a more granular assessment of your ability than a simple pass or fail — useful for both job applications and tracking your own progress.
The Bad: Its focus on business Japanese makes it less relevant if your goals are personal, academic, or conversational rather than professional.
Website: www.kanken.or.jp/bjt
The Bottom Line
The JLPT is the ultimate benchmark to gauge your Japanese language competency, and it’s still the highest standard, too. The Japanese government even uses it for its point-based system for highly skilled professionals. For certain requirements, there is no alternative to the JLPT. With that being said, the JLPT does not measure active skills.
JLPT or other language certifications look good on paper, but the important thing is to be able to prove that you can speak Japanese at a certain level during the interview. Many people who don’t have any JLPT certification are fluent in Japanese and able to get work in Japan. Ironically, a lot of N1 or N2 holders can still face challenges during interviews — they might be good at theory, but not in real life.
These JLPT alternatives might not even be recognized for work or school, but it is good to know that there are some other options out there — just in case you’re making Plan B, C, D, E, and so forth when you missed the JLPT.
Ready to Pass the JLPT 2026? Join JLPT Lessons at Coto Academy!
If you’re thinking of taking the JLPT again or aiming for a higher level to boost your career in Japan, give yourself the best possible chance of success. Coto Academy students enjoy a 35% higher pass rate than the national average thanks to our focused JLPT preparation courses.
Ready to Pass the JLPT? Join JLPT Lessons at Coto Academy!
Whether you want extra JLPT preparation or a customized, one-on-one lesson plan for other exams (like Kanji Kentei, BJT or even EJU), Coto Academy offers flexible Japanese courses that fit your goal.
For example, you can join Coto Academy’s highly popular JLPT prep course! Taught in Tokyo by experienced instructors who specialize in the JLPT, this course gives you the strategies, practice tests, and structured study approach to master every part of the exam. With expert guidance and proven methods, you’ll walk into your next JLPT feeling confident and ready to pass.
Currently, we offer:
- Special in-person JLPT Prep Course in Tokyo and Yokohama
- Online JLPT lecture course
Contact us for a Japanese-level check and a free consultation on the best JLPT prep course for you!
Is there an alternative to JLPT?
Although JLPT is the most recognized language test, there are other Japanese tests you can take in our outside of Japan: J-CAT, J-TEST, Business Japanese Test, Kanji Kentei and ACTFL OPI (oral interview).
What is the Kanji Kentei Test?
The Japanese Kanji Aptitude Test, better known as Kanji Kentei (or Kanken for short), tests your knowledge of kanji. The test is divided into 10 levels (unlike JLPT, which only has 5), with 10 being the easiest and 1 most difficult.
Is passing the Business Japanese Test (BJT) hard?
There is no past or failure in taking the BJT. There is only one test. The points you score (meaning the correct answers you make) in total will determine your business Japanese level.