Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has postponed the planned introduction of four-skills English language tests for university entrance. 

Under the proposed system, current second-year high school students were to be the first cohort to sit four-skills tests in 2020 for entrance into university in 2021.  Students were expected to take one of 7 external private tests (these included IELTS and TOEFL) which had been approved by MEXT.  The National Test Centre for University Admissions, the administrative body for entrance examinations, was to be entrusted with aggregating student scores and supplying the results to universities.  

However, just as test providers were preparing to accept applications from students, MEXT announced its decision to put the system on hold.  MEXT confirmed it will now conduct a year-long review with the aim to then introduce a new testing system for the 2024 academic year.  In the meantime, high school students applying for university will continue to sit the current National Centre Test, a standardised examination which assesses listening and reading comprehension only.

The plan to introduce four-skills tests for university entrance was first announced in 2015 and, together with English language education reforms for elementary and junior high schools, it has been a hugely important initiative for MEXT.  As a policy, it was largely welcomed with most recognising that it would foster improved all-round English language proficiency as high school students would need to focus on communicative skills (writing and speaking) in addition to the traditionally tested reading and listening skills.  That said, the proposed system was not without its critics with some stakeholders voicing concerns over difficulties in aggregating scores from such a wide variety of external tests, and whether fee-paying private external tests should be used at all. 

From a study abroad perspective, the proposed introduction of four-skills testing had provided a boost to the market.  In recent years, agents have reported increased demand for short-term English language programmes from junior and senior high school students keen to get a head start in preparing for the new testing system. With this in mind, the decision to postpone four-skills testing for a further four years is hugely disappointing. 

Despite this setback, however, it's important to note that raising English proficiency does remain a top priority for MEXT under the Abe administration.  Given the government’s stance, we are confident that, whatever form the new testing system takes, it will finally make the long-awaited switch to assessing all four skills in 2024.

The British Council will continue to monitor the situation closely and will share any key updates with the sector.