How hard are MEXT scholarship tests?
Let’s not beat around the bush here, the answer to this question is unfortunately yes. MEXT scholarship tests are quite challenging. They are also long, and you need to be able to focus for a few hours in a row, especially for the undergraduate MEXT scholarship. All tests have multiple-choice questions, except for the math tests and some parts from the Japanese tests.
Undergrad MEXT scholarship tests
The mandatory tests are English, Japanese, and Math. For Natural Sciences A, there is a Physics and Chemistry exam; for Natural Sciences B and C, there is a Chemistry and Biology exam.
The Japanese test is divided into three parts, from very easy to more complex. You need to prepare for this quite a while before taking it. You can read more about this test here.
The math test for undergraduate students is very hard. There are two tests A and B. For Social Sciences and Humanities, you take Math A, and for Natural Sciences, you take Math B. Although Math A is slightly easier than Math B, overall, the tests are quite hard, and you need to prepare well in advance. You can read more about the math test here.
I also made a complex math book for undergraduate students where you can find step by step solutions to the problems, theory, and some extra practice. This book is still a work in progress, but with more than 350 pages, it is a valuable resource for all undergrad applicants. You can read more about the math undergrad book here.
Likewise, the English test can prove challenging for non-native speakers. You need an extensive vocabulary and excellent grammar knowledge to get a good grade. Practice as much as you can, but also memorize new words and study advanced grammar.
The MEXT Undergrad Guide and the Undergrad Bundle contain all the tests you need for the MEXT scholarship exam. However, always remember to give yourself plenty of time to study. You can find these books on my website here.
Research MEXT scholarship tests
Graduate students who opt for the MEXT research scholarship will have English and Japanese as mandatory tests. These are also multiple-choice questions that include a wide range of vocabulary, grammar, expressions, text comprehension, and others. As with all MEXT tests, you need to prepare in advance.
Some students were not invited to sit for these tests and were not aware that they hadn’t passed the file screening part. Therefore, if you are invited to the tests and interview, know that your file passed the first screening, and you are one step forward to obtaining the MEXT research scholarship. Consequently, you need to do your best, practice and study hard to move forward to the interview phase.
The MEXT Research Scholarship Guide contains nine years of tests that you can practice beforehand. You can find more about this here.
Special Training College (STC)
The compulsory tests for STC are Math, English, and Japanese.
The English and Japanese exams are multiple-choice questions, starting from simple to advanced. The tests are more comfortable than the undergraduate MEXT exams, but still, you need to prepare in advance if you intend to apply for this scholarship.
The Math exam is of average difficulty compared with the undergrad exam. However, there is quite a lot of theory that you must know, and you still need lots of practice.
I have put together a bundle for the Special Training College students, and this contains previous tests for Math, English, and Japanese, as well as a math book with theory, step by step solutions, and extra practice. You can find out more about the STC bundle here.
Conclusion
To sum up, please don’t take the MEXT tests lightly. Study hard so you can increase your chances of receiving the MEXT scholarship.
I hope you found this article on MEXT scholarship tests useful. If you liked it or if you have more questions about this topic, please write in the comment below.
Hi
For research do I need to at least know basic Japan Language? Is it hard to pass the iv?
It would be best to have a little more than basic Japanese. The N4-N3 level may be suitable. This is because, for the research scholarship, you have a Japanese and English exam. So, even if your interview is in English, you still want to stand out from the other candidates and have a good exam score.
The interview is not hard, but you have to prepare for it.
Are there any syllabus for humanities subject in the MEXT scholarship?
From my knowledge, MEXT doesn’t offer any kind of syllabus for these exams. Anything that is on the internet is not the official MEXT syllabus, just people who did the MEXT tests and concluded that some topics might appear on the exams or not.
Sir i want to know that ilets and japanese language is compulsory to mext scholarship for undergraduate (computer science)
You don’t need IELTS unless your country’s embassy specifically asks for it. But it’s not mandatory for MEXT. For computer science (undergrad students), you need Math B, English, Japanese, Physics, and Chemistry.
Do you have any books specifically made for the Chemistry part?
Sorry, no. Just the original tests with answers. No extra explanations.
Hello first thanks for the information you provided, but I want some help can you tell me if for a bachelor’s, (undergraduate) is there any course for computer science? as I want to pursue it. My nationality is ” INDIAN ” also I know Japanese to some extent (understand and speak) but my higher secondary marks are not too impressive (but more than minimum qualification criteria) so will the capability to speak Japanese a bit will help me ??
Hello Siddhartha, thank you for your comment. Yes, knowing some Japanese will help you. Also, there are courses for computer science for undergraduate students, so no worries. Just do your best to prepare well for the MEXT exams. In your case, “Natural Sciences A”: Math B, English, Japanese, Physics, and Chemistry. I hope it is helpful. I wish you the best of luck!
Thanks, Phillip for you helping me out, will try my best to get this scholarship and also improve my Japanese before the test.
Is an exam necessary for college of technology? I applied for that but I’m wondering if it is necessary or if I’m going to be called for it . I just want to know so I can be prepared
Hello Bright, yes. It is necessary to pass the exams for the college of technology scholarship. Best of luck with your preparation!
Hello,
For researchers: Is it still compulsory for me to take the Japanese language exam, even though I do not know Japanese?
Also, is there a minimum score I should achieve for the exams?
Hello Timis, sorry for the late reply. I was on holiday.
Yes, it is compulsory to take the MEXT Japanese language exam. You could try and learn a bit of Japanese at least. N5-N4 should be ok for a research course if you intend to study in English. There is no minimum score, but about 50% should be ok for research. Best of luck with your studies!
I want to know the subject I need to focus more on for medical studies
Hello Victory, you need Math B, English, Japanese, Chemistry and Biology for medical studies. I would say they are all important, maybe especially Japanese, because you will have to do your classes in the Japanese language; if you do some practice in Japan, you will need to communicate with patients in Japanese. Also, your averages for Math, Chemistry and Biology should be good, maybe above 80% or so.
Hi Phillip
Does having gap years affect the chances of getting selected?
The deadline of this year is gone. I will have to apply for next year.
Hi Aziza! A gap year should not affect your chances of getting selected. Just take your time to prepare well! Best of luck!
Is like this year owns has ended cos I went to the website it’s said is closed on 27th may 2022 but I don’t if I should give a try or I should just give up and wait till next year for undergraduate scholarship? 😭
It is important to decide for yourself. You have to be really determined to get this scholarship. When I applied, I gave up everything and went for the MEXT scholarship no matter what anybody told me.
Which subject is required for medical science student , who wanna persue mbbs for studies
You need to apply for MEXT undergraduate, Natural Sciences C. Exams: Math B, English, Japanese, Chemistry and Biology. Best of luck!
What do you mean my you gave up everything?
currently i face the issue of clash between my study and mext study since both are different should i just focus completely on mext?
Also how did you study for mext scholarship tests?
You should ensure you finish school with the best grades because it will help you with the MEXT application. I finished my studies first, then stayed one year at home, where I prepared only for the MEXT application. I didn’t do the two things at the same time. It is complicated to do that, although I do not doubt that some people could do it. I prefer to focus on one thing at a time.
To study for MEXT, I learned Japanese daily and improved my English. I didn’t have access to any tests then and didn’t know what to expect. It is easier now because students can practice the tests beforehand. There is also much information on the MEXT scholarship (although unreliable sometimes).
I wanna know that which subject of exams will be for Undergraduate in Business studies?
Math A, English, Japanese.
Is it compulsory to give the japanese test for undergrads? I’m from India and I don’t know the language.
Yes, it is compulsory.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST IN TOTAL TO APPLY AND FINISH,
TILL THE END OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
It doesn’t cost anything to apply for the MEXT scholarship. If anyone asks you for money, something is wrong. Applying for the MEXT scholarship is FREE of any charges. You can apply for the MEXT scholarship at the Japanese embassy of your country. Here is a comprehensive list of the Japanese embassies in each country: https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html
I want to know about the diploma courses in engineering..what will be my subjects of exam
Math B, English, Japanese, Physics, Chemistry.
Best of luck!
I am pursuing my graduation in Computer Science Engineering, and wish to pursue higher education in Japan. But I don’t understand which MEXT exam should I prepare for (Specialized Students, Undergraduate, Research and so on). Can you please clarify, for a post grad study in Japan, which test I need to appear for. Also, do everyone needs to appear for the qualifying test? Thanks a lot.
Hi Cryogenic, you need to apply for the research scholarship. The exams are English and Japanese. Yes, you need to appear for the qualifying test or they will not consider your application. Best of luck with your studies! You can do it!
Is it compulsory for research student to score well in the Japanese test ?
What if I did excellent in the english test and just get a fair mark for the Japanese test ?
I did read on some article that they said scoring well in Japanese test is not compulsory but not sure how true to what they are saying
Hi Zac! It depends a lot on your research field because some fields require more Japanese than others. Other than that, for a research student, it is ok to have a lower Japanese score. I know people who were accepted to do research with zero Japanese and others who got 50% at the MEXT Japanese exam but did very well in English. Either way, you should strive for more than zero. Just learn some basics because they will consider if you put in the effort to learn something before or not. Best of luck!
Is it probable to go to study with my 3-year-old daughter? Or will it be difficult to keep on? Can research students work and study at the same time
It is possible. There were some families in the dormitory. I imagine you could find local daycare for your daughter and in the meantime, you can go to the university. I had time to do a double master, work part-time, and go running in the morning.
You can do a part-time job, but it might be better not to announce this at the university. Just do it on your own. Get a part-time visa and then find something to do.
I hope it’s helpful. Best of luck!
Is there a possibility that i will pass the undergraduate natural science exam if i have a whole year to prepare more over i am also a preparing for IIT-JEE exam ????
Of course, if you take one year and focus only on preparing for the MEXT exam, you will pass for sure. Also, consider working with a tutor if necessary. It really helps you learn faster. Best of luck, you can do it!!