Studying for BJT vs JLPT: how does preparation differ?
Which JLPT N2 skills carry over to BJT, which tasks exist on only one test, the official practice books, and what each result tells you to study next.
Short answer
Preparing for the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test means raising one score from 0 to 800 on a single 80-question test set in business settings; preparing for the JLPT means choosing one level from N5 to N1 and covering every section of it. Much JLPT N2 study carries over, but BJT adds charts and documents read while audio plays, and N2 item types such as kanji reading have no BJT question type of their own. The JLPT has two official practice workbooks for each level; BJT has one official mock test book.
One level or one score
JLPT study aims at the content of one level, and BJT study aims at a higher score on one test. The JLPT, the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, sets a separate test for each level from N5 to N1 (its FAQ: "Test questions differ according to level"), and you pass or fail the level you chose. The BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test, run by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation (Kanken), is one test for everyone: a score from 0 to 800, a level from J5 to J1+, and no pass or fail. Every other parameter of the two tests, from the test day to fees, is in BJT vs JLPT side by side.
| JLPT | BJT | |
|---|---|---|
| Your target | JLPT: one level, which you choose before the test; you pass or fail it | BJT: one score from 0 to 800, with a level from J5 to J1+ |
| What it measures | JLPT: language knowledge, and using it for communicative tasks | BJT: communication in Japanese "required in business settings" |
| Study hours | JLPT: none published on the pages we checked | BJT: none published on the pages we checked |
Neither organiser gives a number of study hours, so any figure you read is someone's estimate. Our own week-by-week plan for BJT is in how to prepare for BJT in four weeks.
What JLPT N2 study already covers
Four kinds of JLPT N2 practice train skills that BJT also tests. The pairs below are our reading of two official descriptions, the JLPT's purposes of the N2 test items and Kanken's BJT sample questions; neither organiser publishes such a comparison.
| Skill | JLPT N2 item | Closest BJT type |
|---|---|---|
| Finding information in a document | JLPT N2: Information retrieval, from ads, brochures, magazines and business documents of about 700 characters | BJT: 総合読解 (sōgō dokkai), read a text and answer; Kanken advises reading the question first |
| Following a longer listening text | JLPT N2: Integrated comprehension (listening), comparing multiple information sources in a relatively long text | BJT: 総合聴解 (sōgō chōkai), first work out who is talking to whom |
| Choosing the right words to say or hear | JLPT N2: Quick response, choosing a reply to a short utterance such as a question | BJT: 発言聴解 (hatsugen chōkai), choosing what a person should say; the options are statements, not replies |
| The right word or form | JLPT N2: Sentential grammar 1 and contextually-defined expressions | BJT: 語彙・文法 (goi bunpō), the best option for a blank in a short sentence |
The skills carry over, but the setting changes. In 総合聴解, Kanken's sample page tells you to work out first whether the speakers are from the same company or from outside, such as a client or customer, and, inside one company, whether it is a boss and a subordinate or two colleagues. In 発言聴解, Kanken's explanations turn on keigo, such as the humble form お目にかかります (ome ni kakarimasu, a humble way to say "meet"), and on forms of address: 御社 (onsha, your company) for the other company and 弊社 (heisha, our company) for your own.
Only on one of the two tests
Some tasks appear on only one test. Six JLPT N2 item types have no BJT question type of their own that we could match.
| JLPT N2 item | What it tests (JLPT) |
|---|---|
| Kanji reading | Reading of words written in kanji |
| Orthography | Kanji for words written in hiragana |
| Word formation | Knowledge of derivative and compound words |
| Sentential grammar 2 (sentence composition) | Sentence composition that is syntactically accurate and makes sense |
| Text grammar | Judgment on suitability of sentences for text flow |
| Thematic comprehension (long passages) | Grasping overall points and ideas in a text of about 900 characters, such as reviews |
None of BJT's nine question types is described this way on Kanken's sample pages. Our reading is that kanji and grammar knowledge still matter inside BJT questions, for example in 語彙・文法, but they are not tested on their own.
Four BJT question types have no counterpart in the JLPT N2 list of item types that we could find. Each one joins something you see, a photo, a chart or a document, with audio.
| BJT type | What you do |
|---|---|
| 場面把握 (bamen haaku) | Look at a photo of a work scene; four options are read aloud, and you pick the one that describes it |
| 状況把握 (jōkyō haaku) | Listen while looking at a photo, then choose from written options; you infer the background from what people say |
| 資料聴読解 (shiryō chōdokkai) | Read a chart, table or document on screen while the audio asks about it |
| 総合聴読解 (sōgō chōdokkai) | Look at a document and listen; first work out who is reading it and in what situation |
We do not compare the other N2 item types here: paraphrases, usage, short and mid-size passages, integrated comprehension (reading), and three listening types (task-based comprehension, key points and general outline). We also leave out BJT's 表現読解 (hyōgen dokkai), choosing the best expression for a blank in a sentence. All nine BJT question types, with what to practise for each, are in BJT test format.
Official practice material
The JLPT has more official practice books than BJT: two workbooks for each level, with questions selected from past tests. Kanken sells one official mock test and guide for the single BJT.
| JLPT | BJT | |
|---|---|---|
| Full practice tests | JLPT: Official Practice Workbook (2012) and Vol. 2 (2018) for each level, questions from past tests | BJT: one official mock test and guide, 160 pages |
| Price | JLPT: ¥700 plus tax per book, CD included | BJT: ¥1,870 (the page does not say if tax is included), CD included; also as an e-book |
| Free online | JLPT: sample questions covering every question pattern, with audio | BJT: sample questions for each of the three parts; a free computer-test demo |
| Extra | JLPT: guidebooks with sample questions, ¥900 (N1–N3) or ¥800 (N4–N5) plus tax | BJT: a Part 3 reading practice print, digital only, ¥700 |
Kanken's sample pages note that the real test differs from them in screen layout and operation. How to use Kanken's free material and the official guide week by week is in the "What to use" part of how to prepare for BJT in four weeks.
What your result tells you to study next
A JLPT result at N1–N3 gives you a score out of 60 for each section, so you can see which section held you back. A BJT result gives you a rank from 1 to 7 for each of its three parts, set against past test takers.
| JLPT | BJT | |
|---|---|---|
| Section feedback | JLPT: a score out of 60 for each section (N1–N3) | BJT: a rank from 1 to 7 for each part |
| Extra detail | JLPT: band A, B or C for vocabulary and for grammar (N1–N3); not used for pass or fail | BJT: no separate vocabulary or grammar band on the pages we checked |
| Where you stand | JLPT: a percentile rank is printed only for passers who sat abroad; anyone can find their place on the published cumulative-distribution chart of scaled scores, about four months after the test | BJT: each rank compares you with past test takers; 7 is the top 5% |
On the JLPT, the A, B or C bands show the share of vocabulary and of grammar questions you answered correctly: A means 67% or more, C under 34%. On BJT there is no pass mark, so a weak part cannot fail you. Your part ranks show which part is weakest.
What to add after N2
If you studied for N2 and now move to BJT, check two things, because the N2 item list does not name them as separate item types:
- Keigo chosen by relationship. Kanken describes level J2 (420–529) as able to vary expressions "a little according to interpersonal relationships" (our translation of 対人関係に応じた言語表現の使い分けが少しできる).
- Charts read while audio plays. For 資料聴読解, Kanken advises using the gap before the question to read the chart's title, see what stands out, and predict what will be asked.
One BJT test-day rule also shapes practice: in Parts 1 and 2 you cannot go back to a question, because they follow the audio. What that and the other test-day differences change for your score is in how to pass BJT with no pass mark.
For our founder, BJT "came down to two things: keigo and business vocabulary", while JLPT N2 "felt like many unrelated topics with different kanji and different grammar" (her story). When to sit each test before a visa deadline is covered in BJT or JLPT for your visa.
What some sites say: the organiser recommends JLPT N2 level before you take BJT. We did not find this on Kanken's pages. The Kanken FAQ says: "The BJT is open to all non-native Japanese speakers."
Questions people ask
Does studying for JLPT N2 help with BJT?
Yes, for the skills both tests use, such as finding information in a document, following a longer listening text, choosing a short utterance and choosing the right word or form. It does not cover the charts read while audio plays that BJT tests, and the N2 list of item types has no item type about choosing keigo by relationship; business settings and keigo come up in BJT's sample questions throughout. How BJT 400 relates to N2 in visa rules is a separate question, answered in is a BJT score of 400 the same as JLPT N2.
Are questions of past JLPT tests published?
No. The JLPT says "The exact same test questions of every exam are not published", but its Official Practice Workbook (2012) and Official Practice Workbook Vol. 2 (2018) contain questions selected from tests used since the 2010 revision, close to one full test for each level.
Does the JLPT publish a vocabulary or kanji list?
Not as part of the test specifications. Since the 2010 revision the JLPT has not published "Test Content Specifications" with lists of vocabulary, kanji and grammar, because it decided such a list "was not necessarily appropriate". It points learners to its summary of each level, the composition of test items and its sample questions instead.
Practise with full 80-question mock exams.
Join the waitlist for full 80-question mock exams with a score forecast and explanations in your language, or try three business situations for free now.