Kanji Kentei


The Japan Kanji Aptitude Test evaluates one's knowledge of kanji. The test is more commonly known as the Kanji Kentei, or the shorter Kanken. The test is administered by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation.
There are 12 levels with level 10 being the easiest and level 1 the most difficult. The test examines not only one's ability to read and write kanji, but also one's ability to understand their meanings, to use them correctly in sentences, and to identify their correct stroke order. Although the test was originally developed for native Japanese speakers, non-native speakers may also take the tests.
Native speakers pass levels 10 through 7 at better than an 80% rate, whereas level 1 is so difficult that fewer than two thousand people take it each time it is offered, and fewer than 20% of those pass.
For levels 10 through 8, the test is 40 minutes long; for levels 7 through 1, it is 60 minutes long. A minimal score of 70% is required to pass levels 7 through pre-2, and a score of 80% is required for levels 10 through 8, 2, pre-1, and 1.
Levels 10 through 4 are primarily taken by kindergarten to elementary school age children. Levels 3 and above are typically taken by high school students and adults.
Level 2 is as high as many Japanese, even those with higher education degrees, tend to go. Passing level 2 can be used as leverage when applying for jobs, etc. Passing levels pre-1 and 1 is especially rare even among native speakers.

Test levels and skills

Level 10

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Besides testing locations in Japan there are several overseas examination centres in East Asia and North America and several in Europe, including in Paris, Lille, Grenoble, and Milan.