Objective of the Test
The Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic) seeks to measure the level of Japanese language proficiency needed by foreign nationals about to reside in Japan mainly for work, to communicate in everyday life situations. It is used to assess whether they have the Japanese language proficiency to be able to engage in everyday conversation to a certain extent and handle daily life without difficulties. The test evaluates Japanese language competence based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR) and the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education , a framework for Japanese language education grounded on the principle of using the Japanese language to facilitate mutual understanding among people. (The JF standard was developed based on the concepts supporting the CEFR by the Japan Foundation.) The JFT-Basic is also used as a test to measure the level of Japanese language proficiency needed to obtain the residency status of “Specified Skilled Worker (i),” which began in April 1, 2019. Please visit the following for more information on Specified Skill eligibility.
Target of the Test
This test is for foreign nationals who are not native speakers of Japanese. In particular, it is aimed for foreign nationals about to reside in Japan mainly for work.
Testing Method
This test is conducted through Computer-Based Testing (CBT). Questions are set and answered on computers at test centers in each country. In booths, test-takers answer on the computer screen based on questions displayed on the screen and audio played through the headphones.
The test questions and choices are displayed on the central area of the computer screen. In addition, the section name, test name, time remaining and status of answers are displayed on the borders of the screen.
In the test, problems are displayed in English. Problems can be read in your local language by clicking on the Your Language button.
Read the problem to understand the setting or situation and answer the question. For listening comprehension, press the play button to play the audio playback. To answer, click on your choice. The color of your selected choice will change.
Test structure
This test is composed of four sections: Script and Vocabulary, Conversation and Expression, Listening Comprehension, and Reading Comprehension. The purposes of this test structure and questions are shown in Table 1. There are approximately 60 questions, and the test time is 60 minutes. There is no time limit for completing each section.
Summary of Linguistic Competence and Levels
This test follows the framework of the CEFR adopted by The JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education as a guideline for the kind of tasks the test-taker can accomplish using Japanese, and uses the test-taker’s competence in accomplishing tasks as an indicator of their level. Competence in accomplishing tasks is presented as their “Can-do” (description of linguistic competence) and is divided into six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Please refer to Figure 4 below for an illustration of the levels.
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