About EIKEN Grade 3

Grade 3 is a compilation of the basic skills acquired for Grades 5 and 4. This level is aimed at Japanese junior high school graduates. Examinees are expected to be able to understand and use language concerning familiar, everyday topics, such as likes and dislikes, and basic personal and family information. In order to accurately measure examinees’ speaking ability, an interview test is included from Grade 3 onward. The examination is divided into two parts, Stage 1 (a written examination including a listening section) and Stage 2 (an interview-format speaking test). As of the June 2017 test, a writing test has been added to Stage 1 of the examination.

Pass level comparison

EIKEN EIKEN CSE Score CEFR
Grade 3 1456 A1
  • Click here for more information about the EIKEN CSE Score.

Level description

Can understand and use language concerning familiar, everyday topics such as likes and dislikes and basic personal and family information.

Overview of test structure

First stage

Time allotted: Reading & Writing（65 minutes）／ Listening（app. 25 minutes）

Skill area Task Format Items Response type
Reading Sentence completion 15 short texts (one or two sentences/dialogues) from which one word or phrase has been omitted 15 Multiple-choice (Four printed options)
Gap fill in dialogues 5 short texts (dialogues) from which one or two phrases have been omitted 5
Q&A based on passages Poster, advertisement, or memo 2
Letter or e-mail 3
Passage 5
Writing English E-mail Write a reply e-mail in English. 1 15-25 word e-mail
English Composition Write your opinion in English on the given question. 1 25-35 word composition
Listening Conversation completion Examinees listen to short conversations and choose the best response to complete the last turn of the conversation. An illustration provides contextual information about the situation. 10 Multiple-choice (Three recorded options)
Q&A based on dialogues 10 recorded conversations followed by questions. All conversations are heard twice. 10 Multiple-choice (Four printed options)
Q&A based on monologues 10 recorded stories or explanations followed by questions. All stories/explanations are heard twice. 10
Topics

Family, friends, school, hobbies, travel, shopping, sports, movies, music, food, weather, giving directions, introducing oneself, plans for a holiday, one’s recent activities, foreign cultures, people profiles, history, etc.

Second stage

English interview (app. 5 min.)

Skill area Task Format Time allotted Notes
Speaking Oral reading Preparation Examinee reads passage on question card silently 20 seconds

Evaluation Criteria:
Examinees are evaluated on their responses to each of the tasks and for their attitude toward actively engaging in communication. The following categories are also taken into account:  pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

No. of Examiners:1
Reading aloud Examinee reads passage aloud
Q&A No. 1 Examiner asks question based on content of passage
No. 2 Examiner asks question about illustration on card
No. 3 Examiner asks question about illustration on card
No. 4 Examiner asks question to elicit examinee’s opinion about topic related to everyday life (may not be related to topic of passage)
No. 5 Examiner asks question to elicit examinee’s opinion about topic related to everyday life (may not be related to topic of passage)

Virtual speaking test (Grade 3)

An animated, easy-to-understand walkthrough of the Stage 2 Interview Test, showing the entire process from the time the examinee enters the room until he or she leaves it. (requires Japanese)