# National Japanese Exam

AATJ's online, ACTFL-aligned proficiency exam in Japanese for middle school, high school and college students, with gold, silver and bronze awards and registration fees of $10-$20 per student.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | American Association of Teachers of Japanese |
| Category | other |
| Cost | $20 |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 6–12 |
| Format | Online / virtual |
| Location | Various |
| Apply | https://aatj.org/nje-topics-registration-and-payment/ |

## About this program

# National Japanese Exam

The National Japanese Exam is the American Association of Teachers of Japanese's annual assessment for students of Japanese as a second language in the United States. It is an online, proficiency-oriented, standards-based and culture-related exam aligned with ACTFL guidelines, administered each spring through participating schools. Over a thousand students across the country take it in a typical year, and separate categories exist for middle/junior high school, high school and college learners so students are measured against peers at their own level.

## What You'll Do

- Register through your Japanese teacher during the January registration window
- Take the exam online during the spring administration window at your school
- Answer sections covering reading, listening, grammar and kanji, plus culture-related items
- Sit in the category matching your school level, with regular and additional category options
- Receive a score report your teacher can use to identify strengths and gaps

## Who Should Apply

Middle school, high school and college students of Japanese whose teacher registers them. Registration fees are $10 per student for AATJ members and $20 per student for non-members; in the most recent cycle AATJ members were eligible for grant funding to cover registration fees.

## Outcomes

Students scoring 90% or above earn Gold Level recognition, 80-89% Silver, 70-79% Bronze, and 60-69% Honorable Mention, with a Certificate of Participation for everyone who sits the exam. The awards are a standard line on applications for Japanese study abroad, honor societies and language scholarships, and give teachers comparable national data on their programs.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does National Japanese Exam cost?

National Japanese Exam costs $20. Many paid programs offer need-based financial aid or fee waivers — check the official site before ruling it out.

### Who is eligible for National Japanese Exam?

National Japanese Exam is open to students in grades 6–12 (middle and high school). Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is National Japanese Exam online or in person?

National Japanese Exam is fully online — students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection.

### How do I apply to National Japanese Exam?

Apply directly through American Association of Teachers of Japanese's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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