Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Exams for embassy recommendation
From Study in Japan (JASSO).
| Scholarship category | Exam subjects |
|---|---|
| Research students | Japanese and English |
| Teacher training students | Japanese and English |
| Undergraduate students | Japanese, English, mathematics, science |
| Japanese studies students | Japanese |
| College of technology students | Japanese, English, mathematics, physics or chemistry |
| Specialized training college students | Japanese, English, mathematics |
Where IELTS might come in
JASSO says some application requirements are more detailed than the summary, and that you should check with the Japanese embassy or consulate general in your country and the latest application guidelines. If your target programme in Japan is taught in English, the university may also ask for a test as part of admission. This guide does not cover individual Japanese universities.
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Preparing for the English exam
JASSO publishes past subject test questions, so practise those for the embassy exam. If an embassy or university asks for IELTS or TOEFL, our Japan test centre and fee guides show where and how much.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need IELTS to apply for MEXT through the embassy?+
JASSO's summary lists an embassy English exam, not IELTS. Check your embassy's guidelines for any extra rule.
Do research students take a Japanese exam?+
Yes. Research students sit Japanese and English.
What about university recommendation?+
JASSO says requirements vary by accepting university.
Where are past MEXT exam papers?+
JASSO links to subject test questions from its MEXT page.
Keep reading
Related
Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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