Japanese Language Exams Throughout the Year: A Complete Calendar Guide

Japanese Language Exams Throughout the Year: A Complete Calendar Guide The JLPT isn't the only Japanese exam on the calendar. JLPT runs twice a year (July and December), NAT-TEST and J.TEST sit far more often for study or work applications, and EJU runs twice a year for university admission. Here's when each one happens and which one actually fits your goal. Why does it matter that there's more than one Japanese exam? Most learners default to the JLPT because it's the most recognized certificate worldwide, but it only runs twice a year, and some cities only offer one of those two sittings. If your visa deadline, job application, or university intake doesn't line up with a JLPT date, a more frequent exam like NAT-TEST or J.TEST can get you a valid certificate months sooner. Knowing all five options lets you plan around deadlines instead of around a single exam's fixed calendar. 1. JLPT — the exam most employers and universities recognize The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is held on the first Sunday of July and the first Sunday of December, worldwide, across five levels (N5–N1). For 2026, the sittings are July 5 and December 6; for 2027, they're expected on July 4 and December 5, following the same fixed pattern. Registration windows are short — roughly March–April for the July sitting and August–September for December — and some overseas test cities only run the December session, so confirm your local host institution's calendar before assuming both dates apply to you. Results land about two months after each sitting. 2. NAT-TEST — up to six sittings a year NAT-TEST covers five levels (5Q, roughly N5, through 1Q, roughly N1) and runs far more often than the JLPT — commonly six times a year in Vietnam alone. Remaining 2026 sittings in Vietnam include September 27, October 18, November 15, and December 13, with registration typically closing 3–4 weeks before each test date. Because it runs so often, NAT-TEST is a common choice for candidates on a tighter visa or study-abroad deadline who can't wait for the next JLPT window. 3. J.TEST — nearly every month J.TEST is a Japanese proficiency exam widely recognized for employment purposes, particularly for roles requiring Japanese in a work setting. It's split into three level bands — A-C (advanced), D-E (intermediate), and F-G (basic) — and sits are held on a near-monthly cadence (Vietnam was on exam No. 188 as of August 2026), making it one of the most schedule-flexible options available. Exact dates for each numbered sitting are published a few months ahead on the official J.TEST Vietnam calendar, so check there before locking in a study plan. 4. EJU — twice a year, specifically for university admission The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is what Japanese universities and vocational schools actually use for admission decisions, alongside or instead of the JLPT. It runs twice a year — June and November — and tests Japanese as a foreign language plus academic subjects (science, "Japan and the world," and mathematics) depending on your intended major. For 2026, the sittings are June 21 and November 8, with the June session aimed at students targeting April enrollment the following year, since its results are released faster (late July) than the November session's (mid-December). 5. BJT — sit it almost any time, by computer The Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT) measures how well you can use Japanese in a professional context — meetings, emails, negotiations — rather than general language ability. Unlike the other four, it's a computer-based test (CBT) offered at testing centers on a rolling basis rather than fixed calendar dates, so you can generally book a slot within a few weeks of deciding to take it. It's most useful if a specific employer or job listing asks for a BJT score rather than a JLPT level. How do I know which exam to sign up for? Match the exam to what's actually being requested of you, not to whichever one…