Until July 2026 the JFT-Basic gave you one of two outcomes: you reached A2 with a total of 200 or more, or you did not. For tests taken from August 2026, the result can show three levels: A1, A2.1 and A2.2 (A2). Plenty of prep sites still talk only about "pass = 200", and plenty of candidates now look at a result that says A2.1 and wonder whether they passed. This article explains what each band is, what it is used for, and what to do next.
The four results you can get
Your total score is still on the same scale, from 10 to 250. The Japan Foundation now places it in one of these bands:
| Total score | Level shown | Main use, per the Japan Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| 200–250 | A2.2 (A2) | Specified Skilled Worker (i) |
| 175–199 | A2.1 | Mainly changing employers under Employment for Skill Development |
| 145–174 | A1 | Employment for Skill Development; Student status (Japanese language schools) |
| 10–144 | ＊ (no level) | — |
- ＊10–144Below A1, shown as ＊
- A1145–174A1: Employment for Skill Development entry, language-school entry
- A2.1175–199A2.1: for job changes under Employment for Skill Development
- A2.2 (A2)200–250A2: Specified Skilled Worker (i)
The labels A1 and A2 come from the CEFR, the European scale many language tests use. The Japan Foundation splits A2 into two halves, A2.1 and A2.2, so that the test can report progress inside A2. The SSW line did not move: it is still the top band, starting at 200.
What each level is for
A2.2 (A2): 200 and above
This is the level the Japanese government uses for the Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa. If your goal is an SSW job, this is your only target. The official FAQ adds that some industries may require a higher level, so check your field's own rules. Nursing care, for example, also needs a separate care Japanese test; the JFT-Basic and SSW visa guide covers the details.
A2.1: 175 to 199
The Japan Foundation describes A2.1 as being mainly for changing employers under the Employment for Skill Development system (育成就労), the new programme for foreign workers. It is not enough for SSW (i). If you are aiming for SSW and see A2.1, you are close, but you have not reached the level you need.
A1: 145 to 174
A1 is listed for Employment for Skill Development and for Student status, the second only when you enrol at a Japanese language education institution. For an SSW candidate, A1 means the basics are in place but a solid block of study is still needed.
＊: below 145
No level is shown. Treat it as a signal to go back to the coursebook before your next attempt, not just to take more mock tests.
Did the test itself change?
The official pages describe a change in reporting: which levels appear on the result. They do not describe new sections, new question types or a different length. The test is still about 50 questions in 60 minutes across four sections, and there is still no minimum score per section: the level comes from your total.
The score is also still a scaled score, not a count of correct answers, so you cannot turn "I got 38 right" into an exact total. Practice tests, including ours, can only estimate it.
What your result means for your next step
You got A2.2 (200+)
You have the Japanese level for SSW (i). You cannot retake the JFT-Basic, and you don't need to: the result never expires. Print the official notice from your Prometric account, because the data stays online for 5 years only. Next, focus on your field's skills test.
You got A2.1 (175–199)
You are in reach of 200. You can retake after 45 days, counted from the day after your test. Look at the section percentages on your official notice and spend most of the wait on your lowest section. The retake date calculator gives your earliest date.
You got A1 (145–174)
The gap to 200 is real, so plan more than one retake cycle of study. Work through the A2 coursebook level and take a full mock test every two weeks. Book again only when your mocks are steadily above 200.
You got ＊ (below 145)
Go back to basics: kana speed, core vocabulary and the Starter-level grammar. Our study plan sets out the order.
How to read your result
You see your total score and level on screen at the end of the test. The official notification follows in your Prometric account within 5 business days. Besides the total and the level, it shows the percentage of correct answers in each section. That breakdown is for your reference only, because the level is decided on the total, but it is the best guide to where to study before a retake. The result guide explains each part of the notice.
Common misunderstandings
- "A2.1 is a pass." Not for SSW (i). It is a recognised level with its own uses, but the SSW level is A2.2.
- "I need 200 in every section." No. There are no section minimums. Only the total counts.
- "I should retake to improve my 210." You can't. A total of 200 or more cannot be retaken.
- "Old results are invalid now." No. Results don't expire, and a pre-August 200+ still counts as A2.2.
The short version
For tests from August 2026, the JFT-Basic shows A1 (145–174), A2.1 (175–199) or A2.2 (200–250), and ＊ below 145. Only A2.2 meets the Specified Skilled Worker (i) requirement. A1 and A2.1 have their own uses under Employment for Skill Development and student status. If you are below 200, you can retake after 45 days, so use the section percentages on your result to decide what to study.