Information on the 2016 EIKEN Renewal
(in effect from the summer session 2016(June)）

As part of the foundation’s goal to make all levels of the EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency (EIKEN) 4-skills tests, the format of some sections of the EIKEN test will change from the first administration of the 2016 EIKEN test. Below is a summary of the changes to the question format and the scoring system.

Overview of Changes

① Change in Question Types（Grades 1、Pre-1、2、Pre-2、4、and 5）

Aside from Grade 3, there will be changes to every level of the EIKEN test. Please see the chart below for further information.

② Change in Test Duration（Grade 2）

The duration of the Grade 2 Written Test will be increased by 10 minutes from 75 minutes to 85 minutes. There will be no changes to the test duration for the other grades.

③ Introduction of Analytic Rating for the Writing Test（Grades 1, Pre-1, and 2）

The new analytic rating criteria will provide examinees with specific feedback on their writing performance. Responses (at all 3 levels) will now be rated separately in four categories:

  • Content: the extent to which the response fully answers the topic question
  • Coherence and Cohesion: the extent to which the flow is logical and cohesive
  • Vocabulary: the extent to which the vocabulary is appropriate to the topic question and whether it is used accurately
  • Grammar: the extent to which the examinee shows a variety of grammar structures and whether they have been used accurately

④ Changes in the Scoring System　（All Grades）

The pass line for both the first- and second-stage test for all grades will now be determined based on the EIKEN CSE Score.

Grade Changes
1 Writing ●Changes to format: In order to bring the EIKEN Grade 1 Test closer to CEFR C1 level, examinees will be required to respond to a topic that has a high degree of social relevance and support it with three reasons of their own choosing.
Responses must follow an essay format.

For a sample question and response, please follow this link.

●Change in Rating Criteria: Items will be rated on four separate criteria: content, cohesion & coherence, vocabulary, and grammar.
Scoring Change in Scoring System: In order to pass the first stage, an examinee must receive an EIKEN CSE Score (combined Reading, Writing, and Listening) of at least 2028 (out of 2550). In order to pass the second stage, an examinee must receive a score of at least 602 (out of 850).
Pre-1 Writing ●Changes to format: In order to bring the EIKEN Grade Pre-1 Test closer to CEFR B2 level, the Pre-1 test will be changed from an e-mail format response to an essay format. Also, the suggested length will increase to 120-150 words.

●Change in Rating Criteria: Items will be rated on four separate criteria: content, cohesion & coherence, vocabulary, and grammar.

For a sample question and response, please follow this link.

Scoring

 Change in Scoring System: In order to pass the first stage, an examinee must receive an EIKEN CSE Score (combined Reading, Writing, and Listening) of at least 1792 (out of 2250). In order to pass the second stage, an examinee must receive a score of at least 512 (out of 750).
2 Writing ●Introduction of Writing Test: The new Grade 2 Writing Test requires examinees to write an English composition on a given topic (suggested length: 80-100 words). Examinees must state an opinion and give two reasons. Three points will be given to help examinees come up with reasons, but they do not need to be used.
In conjunction with the introduction of the writing test, the word reordering section will be eliminated from the Grade 2 test.

●Rating Criteria: Items will be rated on four separate criteria: content, cohesion & coherence, vocabulary, and grammar.

For a sample question and response, please follow this link.
Reading ●Change in Question Format: The passage gap fill section of the reading test previously had gaps where one word had been omitted. Now, as with Grades 1 and Pre-1 questions, several words will be omitted. This will better test examinees’ ability to understand the context of the passage.

●Change in Number of Questions: The number of passage gap fill questions will decrease from 8 to 6 (to match with Grades 1 and Pre-1).

For a sample question, please follow this link.
Scoring Change in Scoring System: In order to pass the first stage, an examinee must receive an EIKEN CSE Score (combined Reading, Writing, and Listening) of at least 1520 (out of 1950). In order to pass the second stage, an examinee must receive a score of at least 460 (out of 650).
Pre-2 Reading ●Change in Question Format: As with Grade 2, the passage gap fill section of the reading test used to have gaps where one word had been omitted. Now, as with the Grades 1, Pre-1, and Grade 2 questions, several words will be omitted. This will better test examinees’ ability to understand the context of the passage.

●Change in Number of Questions: To maintain the test’s balance and test duration, the number of gap fill in dialogues questions will decrease from 8 to 5. The test will now have the same number of questions as Grades 3-5.

For a sample question, please follow this link.
Scoring Change in Scoring System: In order to pass the first stage, an examinee must receive an EIKEN CSE Score (combined Reading and Listening) of at least 876 (out of 1200). In order to pass the second stage, an examinee must receive a score of at least 406 (out of 600).
3 Scoring Change in Scoring System: In order to pass the First Stage, an examinee must receive an EIKEN CSE Score (combined Reading and Listening) of at least 746 (out of 1100). In order to pass the second stage, an examinee must receive a score of at least 353 (out of 550).
4, 5 Speaking ●Introduction of Speaking Test: Each person who has applied for the Grade 4 or 5 test will be eligible to take the speaking test for that grade. However, the speaking test is not required to pass the Grade 4 or 5 Test. The Grades 4 and 5 speaking tests are computer based. They can be accessed through a test website on a computer, smartphone, or tablet at home or at school. There is no set test date. Instead, examinees can choose a date within a one-year period (only once per application). They can take the speaking test anytime, anywhere.

The Grades 4 and 5 speaking test results have no effect on the first stage (Reading and Listening) score. Those who pass the Grade 4 or 5 speaking test will receive a separate certificate stating that they have passed the speaking test of that grade.

For a sample question and response, please follow this link.
Scoring

Change in Scoring System:
●Grade 4:　In order to pass the first stage, an examinee must receive an EIKEN CSE Score (combined Reading and Listening) of at least 622 (out of 1000).

●Grade 5:　 In order to pass the first stage, an examinee must receive an EIKEN CSE Score (combined Reading and Listening) of at least 419 (out of 850).