International students preparing for university entrance in Japan can access official examination question booklets published by Bonjinsha Co., Ltd. as well as free online samples from JASSO. Because JASSO does not produce official prep textbooks or introduce prep schools, candidates must rely on past question booklets, official syllabuses, and Japanese high school subject materials. Understanding where to locate these resources and how to apply them effectively is essential for candidates planning their 2026 academic pathway.
What subjects and language options are included in the EJU?
The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) features four core subject areas: Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics. Candidates must select subjects based on the admissions requirements specified by their prospective Japanese university, professional college, or graduate school.
- Japanese as a Foreign Language: Evaluates Japanese language proficiency and is administered exclusively in the Japanese language.
- Science: Covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Candidates taking Science must choose exactly two of these three options. Questions for all three disciplines are combined into a single test booklet.
- Japan and the World: Evaluates basic knowledge, thinking skills, and document reading based on Japanese high school Civics (primarily politics and economics), Geography, and History courses.
- Mathematics: Divided into Course 1 and Course 2. Course 1 is intended for humanities majors or science programs with basic math demands, whereas Course 2 is designed for departments requiring advanced mathematical knowledge, such as science and engineering.
Except for the Japanese language test, all other subjects can be taken in either Japanese or English, depending on the test language required by the chosen university. Note that Science and Japan and the World are scheduled at the exact same time slot during the exam day, meaning candidates cannot take both subjects within the same session. Furthermore, some universities require applicants to submit external language test scores such as TOEFL or take institution-specific language exams to assess foreign language competency.
Where can you find official EJU past exam papers and booklets?
Official physical question booklets containing listening and listening-reading CDs are published by Bonjinsha Co., Ltd. and sold at major bookstores throughout Japan. For instance, the 2025 B5 edition booklet costs 2,420 yen (2,200 yen plus 10% tax) under ISBN 978-4-86746-038-2. Earlier booklets from 2016 through 2023 were priced at 1,980 yen (1,800 yen plus tax).
Regarding publication frequency, a key change occurred recently:
- Up to 2023: Booklet collections were generally published twice a year for both sessions (with exceptions such as the 2019 2nd session which was not published, and the 2020 1st session which was canceled).
- From 2024 onward: Official question booklets are published only once per year.
For students living outside Japan, physical copies can be browsed at Study in Japan Resource Facilities, EJU Overseas Representatives, and JASSO overseas offices located in South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Additionally, downloadable samples and past exam files are available online on the JASSO past exam page. Out-of-stock listings include older booklets published by Pearson Kirihara (2002 to 2010) and most Bonjinsha editions from 2011 to 2015 (excluding 2012 2nd session).
Why are not all past exam questions publicly released?
Examinees often wonder why every version of past test questions is not available. Because EJU is conducted both across Japan and internationally, multiple versions of question papers are generated for each session to address time zone differences and maintain test security.
Additionally, JASSO utilizes a score equating methodology. Score equating standardizes results so that scores accurately reflect candidate ability regardless of minor fluctuations in exam difficulty across different sessions. Under this system, full question sets are generally kept confidential. Publishing one representative question booklet per year is a special measure implemented by JASSO to assist candidates and university admissions staff.
How should candidates prepare effectively using official materials?
Since JASSO offers no official study textbooks, effective preparation requires combining official test syllabuses with authentic past papers and secondary school materials.
- Review official syllabuses: Check the detailed EJU syllabuses published on the JASSO website to understand the scope of topics tested in Mathematics, Science, and Japan and the World.
- Utilize Japanese high school textbooks: For Japan and the World, candidates are advised to study Japanese high school textbooks covering politics, economics, contemporary society, geography, world history, and Japanese history.
- Practice with physical booklets and CDs: Solve past questions under timed conditions, using the included CDs for the listening and listening-reading sections of the Japanese test.
- Observe copyright rules: Exam questions are protected under copyright law owned by JASSO. Candidates may print or display web materials strictly for personal, non-commercial study. Reproducing or uploading exam questions onto personal websites or institutional platforms is prohibited.
When arriving in Tokyo to sit for entrance exams or attend university interviews, many international students choose to stay in a furnished monthly apartment to maintain a quiet, convenient study environment.
Finding a place to stay
Arranging accommodation is a critical preparation step after securing your visa or Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and prior to traveling to Japan. OHAYO Stay offers furnished monthly apartments and rooms in Tokyo. Most homes have a minimum stay of 30 nights (shown on each listing). No guarantor, no key money and no agency fee; booking is online with a passport or ID and a credit card. Having a fully furnished apartment ready upon arrival allows international students to focus entirely on university entrance procedures and exam preparations without worrying about setting up utilities or purchasing furniture.
FAQ
Are official EJU prep textbooks published directly by JASSO?
No, JASSO does not publish study guidebooks or introduce specific prep schools. Candidates should study using published past question booklets, EJU syllabuses, and Japanese high school textbooks.
How often are EJU past question booklets published?
Starting in 2024, official EJU question booklets (which include listening CDs) are published by Bonjinsha Co., Ltd. once per year. Prior to 2024, booklets were released for both annual exam sessions.
Can an examinee take both Science and Japan and the World in the same test session?
No, because the Science exam and the Japan and the World exam are held simultaneously during the examination schedule, candidates cannot take both subjects during the same session.
Sources
- 日本学生支援機構(JASSO)「Past exam questions | JASSO」(checked 2026-10-23)
- 日本学生支援機構(JASSO)「Subjects, Syllabuses, Question Booklets | JASSO」(checked 2026-10-23)
- 日本学生支援機構(JASSO)「2021 1st session (Japanese and Japan And The World are in preparation) | JASSO」(checked 2026-10-23)
- 日本学生支援機構(JASSO)「EJU Question Booklet (Publication) | JASSO」(checked 2026-10-23)
This article was created by OHAYO Stay based on the sources above (edited, reorganized and translated). It is not an official publication.
Rules and dates can change. Always confirm with the official source before you apply.