Kanken (漢検): levels, dates and fees

For parents choosing a Kanken grade. Twelve grades from 10級 (end of primary Year 1) to 1級, with the kanji count, full marks and pass mark for each, from the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation.

Checked on Mon 19 Oct 2026 against the official pages below. Dates and fees can change, so confirm on the official site before applying.

Grades

Grade	Official level	Kanji	Pass mark
1級	university / adult	約6000	about 80% of 200
準1級	university / adult	約3000	about 80% of 200
2級	high-school graduate to adult	2136	about 80% of 200
準2級	high school	1951	about 70% of 200
3級	end of junior high	1623	about 70% of 200
4級	junior high	1339	about 70% of 200
5級	end of primary Year 6	1026	about 70% of 200
6級	end of primary Year 5	835	about 70% of 200
7級	end of primary Year 4	642	about 70% of 200
8級	end of primary Year 3	440	about 80% of 150
9級	end of primary Year 2	240	about 80% of 150
10級	end of primary Year 1	80	about 80% of 150

Fees (paper test at public venues, individual)

Grades	Fee
10級・9級・8級	¥3,200
7級・6級・5級	¥3,700
4級・3級・準2級	¥4,200
2級	¥5,200
準1級	¥6,200
1級	¥6,700

Tax included.

2026 test dates (paper test at public venues)

Round	Applications	Test day
Round 1	Fri 17 Apr 2026 – Sat 16 May 2026	Sun 21 Jun 2026
Round 2	Fri 7 Aug 2026 – Mon 7 Sep 2026	Sun 18 Oct 2026
Round 3	Fri 4 Dec 2026 – Sun 10 Jan 2027	Sun 14 Feb 2027

Practise with Pencilhop

Practise the kanji readings and writing with dictation (read aloud, written on paper, marked by you), or make word cards.

Official sources

Pencilhop is an independent practice site and is not connected with the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation.