JLPT vs BJT: which test should you take for work?
Last checked: 2026-11-06
Take the JLPT if you need a pass at a named N-level, and the BJT if you need a score for business Japanese soon. The BJT has no pass or fail. It gives a score from 0 to 800, and you can book it at many test centers without waiting for July or December.
JLPT and BJT compared
| JLPT | BJT | |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Japanese language ability: vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening | Communication in business situations: listening and reading |
| Result | Pass or fail, N5 to N1 | Score of 0 to 800, levels J5 to J1+ |
| Format | Paper | Computer, 80 questions, about 2 hours in total |
| When | July and December, once a year in some cities | Any date a test center offers |
| Retake | Next test | After 3 months |
| Results | About two months | Right after the test, printable report within 3 days |
| Fee in Japan | 7,500 yen | 8,000 yen including tax |
| Fee in the USA | $135 | USD 87 |
| Certificate life | Never expires | We could not confirm this |
BJT fees were revised on April 1, 2026. The JLPT fee in Japan is for July 2026, and the US fee is for December 2026.
BJT levels
| Level | Score | Official description, in short |
|---|---|---|
| J1+ | 600 to 800 | Fully able to communicate in any business situation |
| J1 | 530 to 599 | Able in a wide range of business situations |
| J2 | 420 to 529 | Able in a limited range of situations |
| J3 | 320 to 419 | Able to some degree in a limited range |
| J4 | 200 to 319 | Minimal ability in a limited range |
| J5 | 0 to 199 | Virtually no ability in business situations |
How BJT scores match JLPT levels for immigration
This comes from the BJT brochure, written by the test maker. We did not read the Immigration Services Agency's own notice, so confirm it before you rely on it.
| Use | BJT score | Stated JLPT match |
|---|---|---|
| Highly skilled points: 15 | 480 or higher | N1 |
| Highly skilled points: 10 | 400 or higher | N2 |
| Designated Activities for graduates of Japanese universities | 480 or higher | N1 |
| Proof of Japanese in a Certificate of Eligibility application | 300 or higher | N5 or higher |
Do not treat this as a general conversion. These matches are for these uses. The BJT site says N1 holders' BJT scores range widely, from about 300 to 700, because practical business skill differs. So having N1 does not predict a high BJT score. For JLPT uses, see which level you need for Japan.
BJT fees by country
| Country | BJT fee, April 2026 |
|---|---|
| USA, England, France, Germany, Italy | USD 87 |
| Australia | AUD 129 |
| Singapore | SGD 98 |
| China | USD 104 |
| Korea | USD 57 |
| Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand | USD 38 |
| India | USD 37 |
| Vietnam | USD 33 |
Worked example: a US learner needs immigration points
This is our own example. In the USA, the JLPT runs once a year, in December. An N1 attempt costs $135. A BJT attempt costs USD 87, or $48 less, and you can book a test center date. If you miss the score, you can retake the BJT after 3 months. If you fail the JLPT, you wait about a year. See JLPT registration by country and the N1 pass rate.
The trade-off is recognition. The JLPT site lists many uses, including university benchmarks and national license exams that need N1. We did not confirm that the BJT is accepted for those.
Which test should you take?
This is our own decision rule.
- A job ad, school or license exam says N1 or N2: take the JLPT, unless they tell you they accept the BJT.
- You need highly skilled points soon: the BJT can be faster, if the score counts for your case.
- You want to show business Japanese: the BJT tests it directly. You can take both.
- You want something cheaper to compare: see JLPT vs JFT-Basic vs NAT.
The J.TEST is a third option. Its public test in Japan costs 5,800 yen. See our J.TEST guide.