Eiken Exam Format Changes: A Comprehensive Guide

Starting in 2024, the Eiken English proficiency test (for levels 3 and above) is undergoing some major changes. This summary, based on information available on the Eiken website and the YouTube videos they published, will highlight the key points that teachers, parents, and students need to be aware of.

Rationale for the Changes

The Eiken Test has always strived to reflect the English language skills outlined in the Japanese Course of Study guidelines. The current Course of Study emphasizes:

• Integrated language activities: This means using multiple skills (like reading, listening, writing, and speaking) together in real-world situations.
• Developing higher-order thinking skills: This includes critical thinking, judgment, and expressive abilities when using language for communication in various contexts.

To better align with these objectives, the Eiken Foundation decided to implement these changes to reflect the new perspective on English proficiency.

Overall Changes

The major changes are focused on the written exam (the first stage of the test). Across multiple levels, the number of reading questions has been reduced to make room for new writing tasks.

• Grade 1:
  • Reading section reduced from 41 questions to 35.
  • Three vocabulary questions (from the short passage fill-in-the-blank section) are removed.
  • Three reading comprehension questions (questions 32-34) are removed.
  • Writing section expands to include two tasks:
    • The existing opinion essay remains.
    • A new summarization task is added.
• Grade Pre-1:
  • Reading section reduced from 41 questions to 31.
  • Seven vocabulary questions (from the short passage fill-in-the-blank section) are removed.
  • Three reading comprehension questions (questions 32-34) are removed.
  • Speaking section: an introductory sentence will be added to question number 4 (which asks about the test taker’s opinion).
• Grade 2:
  • Reading section reduced from 38 questions to 31.
  • Three grammar-focused questions (from the short passage fill-in-the-blank section) are removed.
  • Four reading comprehension questions (questions 30-33) are removed.
• Grade Pre-2:
  • Reading section reduced from 37 questions to 29.
  • Five vocabulary and grammar questions (from the short passage fill-in-the-blank section) are removed.
  • Three fill-in-the-blank questions (questions 28-30) are removed.
  • Writing section expands to include two tasks:
    • The existing opinion essay remains.
    • A new email writing task is added.
  • Total test time extended from 75 minutes to 80 minutes.
• Grade 3:
  • No changes to the format of the reading or writing sections.
  • Total test time extended from 50 minutes to 65 minutes.

New Writing Tasks: What to Expect

The new writing tasks aim to assess practical writing skills that are increasingly important in academic and professional settings.

• Summarization (Grades 1 & 2): Test takers will be asked to read a passage and condense the main ideas into a shorter summary.
  • The required word count varies by grade level.
  • The summary must reflect all the key points of the original passage.
  • Paraphrasing is essential to demonstrate understanding and avoid plagiarism.
  • Points are awarded for content, organization, vocabulary, and grammar.
• Email Writing (Grade Pre-2): Test takers will respond to an email prompt, demonstrating their ability to communicate effectively in an informal written context.
  • Tasks include answering questions and asking clarifying questions based on the email prompt.
  • Email responses are graded on content, vocabulary, and grammar.

Resources and Support

The Eiken Foundation has provided various resources to help teachers, parents, and students prepare for the revised test format:

• Special Website: A dedicated website has been launched with the latest information about the changes, including sample questions and answer sheets.
• Online Explanatory Meetings: The Eiken Foundation is hosting online meetings specifically designed for schools and cram schools to address any questions about the changes and offer guidance on preparing students.
• YouTube Videos: The official Eiken YouTube channel features several videos explaining the changes for each level. These videos include:
  • A lecture by Professor Shu Ikeda on the purpose of the new formats and key points for test takers and teachers.
  • Videos by Tetsuya Yasukochi explaining the changes and offering study strategies for each level.

How to Prepare

Here are some suggestions from the sources on how to prepare for the new writing tasks:

• Practice paraphrasing: Paraphrasing is a crucial skill for both the summarization and email tasks. Students should practice rephrasing sentences and ideas in their own words.
• Develop strong reading comprehension skills: The ability to quickly and accurately understand complex texts is essential for success in the revised format. Encourage students to read a variety of academic texts and practice identifying the main ideas and supporting details.
• Focus on logical writing: The new writing tasks require students to write clear and organized responses. Practice outlining essays and emails before writing them to ensure logical flow.
• Learn how to use logical markers: These words and phrases help to connect ideas and create a cohesive flow in writing. Examples include however, therefore, in addition, and on the other hand.
• Integrate all four skills: The changes reflect the growing emphasis on integrated language skills. Students should practice using reading, listening, writing, and speaking together in a variety of contexts.

It’s important to note that the scoring criteria, passing scores, and CEFR alignment have not changed. With careful preparation and practice, students can confidently approach the new Eiken format and demonstrate their English proficiency.

New Eiken Level: Pre-2 Plus

A new Eiken level called “Pre-2 Plus,” is scheduled to be introduced in 2025.

While the sources don’t provide detailed information about the specific format or content of this new level, they do indicate the following:

• Purpose: The Pre-2 Plus level is intended to bridge the gap between the existing Pre-2 and 2 levels. This suggests it will target test-takers who have surpassed the Pre-2 level but may not yet be ready for the 2 level.
• Online Information Sessions: The Eiken Foundation is holding online explanatory meetings specifically focused on the Pre-2 Plus level. These sessions feature lectures by Tetsuya Yasukochi (Representative Director of the Practical English Proficiency Association) that include:
  • An overview of the purpose and format of the Pre-2 Plus level.
  • Sample questions and explanations.

Unfortunately, the specific details about the content and format of this new level are not available in the provided sources. To learn more, you may want to:

• Attend an Online Information Session: The links to register for these sessions are available on the Eiken Foundation websites (sources and).
• Check the Eiken Foundation Website: Keep an eye on the official Eiken website for updates and announcements about the Pre-2 Plus level.

It’s worth noting that since this new level is still under development, the information currently available might be subject to change.