JFT-Basic Exam in India 2026: Dates, Fees, Centres, Syllabus & How to Pass

The JFT-Basic is a 60-minute, computer-based Japanese test that proves the everyday Japanese you need for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa. In India you can take it at three Prometric centres (Bengaluru, Gurgaon and Guwahati) for ₹3,540, and you need 200 out of 250 to reach the A2 level SSW requires.

The next booking window opens on Wednesday, 25 November 2026 at about 10:00 AM Japan time (6:30 AM IST), eleven days from today. Seats are released in stages and are limited, so the date to prepare for is the booking morning, not the exam day. This guide from TLS – The Japanese Language School covers the format, score bands, fees, centres, exact dates, registration steps and a realistic study plan.

Quick facts: JFT-Basic in India

Need help preparing before 25 November? Call TLS on 91 87009 56038 or email tls@teamlanguages.com.

What is the JFT-Basic exam, and who should take it?

The Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic) measures the Japanese you need for everyday life in Japan: shopping, asking for directions, understanding notices and following simple workplace instructions. It is aimed at non-native speakers who plan to live in Japan mainly for work, and it is built on the CEFR framework and the Japan Foundation's "can-do" approach to daily-life communication.

What the result can be used for

• SSW-1 (Specified Skilled Worker, type i): a score of 200 or more (A2.2) meets the language requirement, along with the skills test for your field.
• Employment for Skill Development (Ikusei Shuro): from August 2026 the test also reports A1 and A2.1, which Japan's new system, starting in April 2027, uses at the application and transfer stages. Check the latest rules for your country before planning around this route.
• Japanese language school enrolment: from August 2026 the result can also be used for the "Student" status for enrolment in a Japanese language education institution.

Some industries ask for a higher level than the general requirement, so confirm the language level for your field. Passing the test does not guarantee a visa: the Certificate of Eligibility and the visa are decided separately by Japan's immigration authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Eligibility

• You must be a person whose native language is not Japanese. Japanese nationals cannot take the test.
• Taking the test in India needs a valid passport, and your Prometric ID details must match it exactly.
• Once you score 200 or more you cannot take the test again.

Who can skip the JFT-Basic

If you already hold JLPT N4 or higher, you do not need the JFT-Basic to apply for SSW. Many applicants still choose the JFT-Basic because it runs in monthly rounds and shows the result immediately, while the JLPT runs twice a year. See our guide to Japanese language tests in India and our SSW exam guide for the full route.

JFT-Basic exam format and syllabus

The test is one 60-minute sitting on a computer at the test centre, with about 50 questions in four sections. There is no speaking or writing section, and you receive a single scaled total score rather than separate section scores.

How the questions are set

Questions are based on real situations a foreign worker meets in Japan, so grammar lists alone will not carry you. Expect to read a short notice or listen to a short exchange and answer a question about what to do, where to go or what it means.

Official practice material

• The Japan Foundation publishes free JFT-Basic sample questions so you can see the screen and question style.
• The Japan Foundation's Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan textbooks follow the same everyday-situation approach.
• Prometric's ID creation and reservation guide explains the computer-based test flow.

In practice the level is close to JLPT N4-style daily Japanese, but the test is about what you can do in a situation, not about memorising grammar points.

JFT-Basic passing score, results and retake rule

The pass mark for SSW-1 is 200 out of 250. Scores run from 10 to 250 and are scaled by a statistical method called equating, so results are comparable across test dates. Since August 2026 the Japan Foundation also reports two lower bands.

A1 and A2.1 do not meet the SSW language requirement. If SSW is your goal, you still need 200 or more.

When you get the result

• Your result appears on the computer screen when the test ends.
• The official result notice is available on your Prometric My Page within 5 business days; you can print it from there.

Retake rule

You cannot take the test again for 45 days, counted from the day after your exam date. Choose a later date within the next round's test period. Once you score 200 or more you are not eligible to retake it.

How hard is it for Indian candidates?

Japan Foundation implementation reports show that in recent rounds only about one in three Indian test-takers passed. Across nine recent rounds between December 2024 and July 2026, the pass rate in India ranged from 28.8% to 42.9%. In the June–July 2026 round, 189 of 522 Indian examinees passed (36.2%).

Because you cannot cancel a booking and the fee is not refunded, book when your practice scores are consistently strong, not just to hold a seat.

Want a realistic assessment of your level? Call TLS on 91 87009 56038 and our team will tell you how far you are from 200.

JFT-Basic test centres in India

The JFT-Basic is held at three centres in India. Other Prometric centres in India do not necessarily run this test, so choose only from the list shown at booking.

Which centre should you choose?

• Delhi-NCR students: Gurgaon is the nearest centre. Plan the route and arrive early, because late arrivals are not admitted.
• Seats vary by centre: each centre runs the test on only some days, and the schedule differs from round to round. Check Prometric's JFT-Basic schedule outside Japan before you pick a centre.
• Travel cost: a centre with more dates may still cost more once you add train or flight fares and a hotel night.

Centre details can change between rounds. Confirm the address on your Confirmation Letter before you travel.

JFT-Basic exam fee in India

The JFT-Basic fee in India is ₹3,540, made up of ₹3,000 plus tax, according to Prometric's country-wise fee page. You pay online at the time of booking, and accepted payment methods depend on the country, so check Prometric's payment methods page before booking day.

For comparison, the fee in Japan is ¥10,000 and differs again in other countries, so always read the India row.

Budget beyond the fee: add travel to your centre, a hotel night if you live far from Gurgaon, Bengaluru or Guwahati, and any practice material. Because the fee is not refundable, treat your first booking as the real attempt.

JFT-Basic Exam Dates 2026–2027 and Booking Windows

There is no single exam date. The test runs in rounds, and each round has a reservation period (when you can book) and a test period (when you can sit). Booking opens at a fixed time on the first day.

The October–November round has closed for booking and ends on 15 November 2026. The February–March 2027 dates are the Japan Foundation's planning schedule, which it says can shift; its test schedule is announced in mid-December.

Time conversion: Japan is 3.5 hours ahead of India, so 10:00 AM JST is 6:30 AM IST.

How to be ready on 25 November

1. Today: create your Prometric ID if you do not have one, using your name exactly as in your passport.
2. Before 25 November: read Prometric's latest notice on test reservations and the 15 October announcement for this round.
3. 6:20 AM IST on 25 November: log in with your card or payment method ready. Seats are released in stages by date, time and centre, so be prepared for heavy traffic.
4. Have backups: note two alternative dates and a second centre in case your first choice fills.
5. Not ready? Skip this round and aim for the February–March 2027 round rather than booking a seat you cannot cancel.

Deadlines that catch people out

• You can book or change until 23:59 Japan time, three business days before your test date. If the test falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Japanese holiday, the deadline is four business days before.
• Business days exclude weekends, Japanese holidays and the New Year holidays, so for early-January test dates the deadline can fall earlier than you expect. Use Prometric's Business Days Calendar.
• Prometric has announced temporary system maintenance starting Sunday 29 November 2026 at 22:00. Check its notices page for the exact window before you plan to book or change a date.

Unsure which round to aim for? Call TLS on 91 87009 56038 and we will help you work back from your target date.

How to register for the JFT-Basic in India (step by step)

Registration is done on Prometric's Specified Skilled Worker test site. You create a Prometric ID once, then book each attempt with it.

1. Create your Prometric ID on the ID creation page. Enter your name, passport number and date of birth exactly as they appear on your passport. One person may hold only one Prometric ID.
2. Check your details before you log in. Errors in your registration information can stop you from taking the exam.
3. Log in when the window opens (Wednesday 25 November 2026, about 10:00 AM JST / 6:30 AM IST for the next round).
4. Select JFT-Basic, then your centre, date and time. Choose only from the India centres shown.
5. Pay ₹3,540 online using a method accepted for India.
6. Save your Confirmation Letter. You must show it on test day. You can also view it on the site if the reservation page is busy.

Common registration mistakes

• Name mismatch: the name, passport number and date of birth on your ID must match your Prometric ID. Passport names printed in a single field are registered in the first-name field with a hyphen in the last-name field; follow the passport's machine-readable zone.
• Multiple accounts: creating more than one Prometric ID is prohibited, and unauthorised access can lead to the account being deleted.
• Booking too early: you cannot cancel, and the fee is not refunded.
• Missing the deadline: changes close at 23:59 Japan time three business days before the test (four if it falls on a weekend or Japanese holiday).
• Retake timing: if you are retaking, pick a date at least 45 days after the day following your last exam.
• Sharing login details: keep your Prometric ID, password and email private.

JFT-Basic test day: what to bring and the rules

Arrive early and carry the right documents. Prometric can refuse entry without refunding the fee.

Checklist

• Confirmation Letter (printed or ready to show as Prometric instructs)
• Original, valid ID with a clear photo. For India, check Prometric's identification page; candidates in India are expected to carry a passport
• Name, ID number and date of birth that match your Prometric ID exactly
• Route to the centre planned the day before

Timing

• Entry to the test centre begins 45 minutes before the start time.
• Arrive 30 minutes before the start. If you are late, you cannot take the exam.

Rules to know

• Photocopies are invalid, and an ID shown on a phone screen is not accepted.
• A photograph is taken at the test centre. If you do not agree, you cannot take the test.
• The test is on a computer, and your result is shown on screen at the end.
• Taking or sharing exam content counts as cheating. Prometric can invalidate scores and take strict action.
• If you cannot enter because you are late or your ID is wrong, the test fee is not refunded.

How to prepare for the JFT-Basic: a 10-week study plan

Aim to score consistently above the pass mark in practice before you book. The plan below suits a learner who already knows hiragana, katakana and basic N5-level grammar and wants to reach A2 (200 ). Starting from zero Japanese, allow considerably longer, and pace yourself to your own schedule.

Section-wise strategy

• Letters and vocabulary: learn words in situations (at the pharmacy, at the station), not as isolated lists.
• Conversation and expression: memorise polite set phrases and when each is used.
• Listening: train daily with normal-speed audio; numbers, times and dates cause the most lost marks.
• Reading: skim the question first, then scan the notice for the answer.

Mistakes that cost Indian candidates marks

• Booking early and then not being ready, with no refund.
• Practising only on paper and meeting the computer interface for the first time on test day.
• Neglecting listening because it feels harder to self-study.
• Studying grammar lists without practising everyday situations.
• Skipping a mock run under real 60-minute conditions.

Study with a teacher, not alone. TLS – The Japanese Language School teaches Japanese in Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi. Call 91 87009 56038 or email tls@teamlanguages.com to ask which batch fits your JFT-Basic target.

JFT-Basic vs JLPT N4: which should you take?

For SSW, either JLPT N4 or higher, or a JFT-Basic score of 200 , satisfies the language requirement. The right choice depends on timing and test style.

Choose JFT-Basic if you need a result quickly or missed a JLPT session. Choose JLPT N4 if you prefer a paper test, live far from the three JFT-Basic centres, or want a certificate you can build on toward N3 and beyond. Many serious candidates study for N4 anyway, since the vocabulary and grammar overlap.

Read more in our guide to Japanese language tests in India. The language test is only one step: your field's skills test is separate, as covered in our SSW exam guide.

Prepare for the JFT-Basic with TLS – The Japanese Language School

Passing the JFT-Basic on your first attempt saves a ₹3,540 fee and months of waiting for the next round. TLS helps Indian students build everyday Japanese step by step, so you reach the booking window ready to score 200 or more.

Talk to our team to find out where your Japanese stands today, which batch suits your target round, and how to plan your SSW language step.

Visit Us 2/81-82, 2nd Floor, Lalita Park, Gali No - 2, Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi - 110092

Call Us 91 87009 56038

Email Us tls@teamlanguages.com

Booking for the December 2026 – January 2027 round opens on 25 November. Call today to plan your preparation.

JFT-Basic exam in India: frequently asked questions

What is the JFT-Basic exam?

The Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese is a computer-based test of everyday Japanese for people who plan to live in Japan mainly for work. It has about 50 questions, lasts 60 minutes and gives a score from 10 to 250.

Where can I take the JFT-Basic in India?

At three Prometric centres: Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Guwahati. Check the live schedule at booking, because each centre runs the test only on some days.

How much is the JFT-Basic fee in India?

₹3,540 (₹3,000 plus tax), paid online at booking. The fee is not refunded, even if you are absent or late.

When does booking open for the December 2026 – January 2027 round?

On Wednesday 25 November 2026 at about 10:00 AM Japan time, which is 6:30 AM IST. You can book until 12 January 2027, and tests run from 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027.

What is the passing score for the JFT-Basic?

200 out of 250 (level A2.2 or A2) meets the SSW-1 language requirement. Scores of 175–199 (A2.1) and 145–174 (A1) are also reported but do not meet it.

How many questions and how long is the test?

About 50 questions in four sections (letters and vocabulary, conversation and expression, listening, reading), in 60 minutes. There is no speaking or writing section.

Can I cancel or reschedule my JFT-Basic booking?

You cannot cancel. You can change the date, time or centre only if seats are available, until 23:59 Japan time three business days before the test (four if it falls on a weekend or Japanese holiday).

When do I get my JFT-Basic result?

Your result appears on screen when the test ends. Check My Page on Prometric's site within 5 business days for the official result notice.

How many times can I take the JFT-Basic?

You can retake it after 45 days, counted from the day after your exam date. Once you score 200 or more, you cannot retake it.

Should I take the JFT-Basic or JLPT N4?

Both meet the SSW language requirement. The JFT-Basic is computer-based with immediate results and runs in rounds, while JLPT N4 is paper-based and held twice a year. See the comparison table above.

What do I need to bring on test day?

Your Confirmation Letter and an original, valid ID with a photo. For India, candidates are expected to carry a passport, and its details must match your Prometric ID. Arrive 30 minutes before the start time.

Is the JFT-Basic enough to get an SSW visa?

No. It covers the language requirement only. You also need to pass the skills test for your field, and the visa is decided separately by Japan's immigration authorities. Read our SSW exam guide.

Does TLS offer Japanese classes in Delhi?

Yes. TLS – The Japanese Language School teaches Japanese in Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi. Call 91 87009 56038 or email tls@teamlanguages.com to ask which batch suits your JFT-Basic goal.