Decide the test format first
Eiken comes in two forms: the traditional test and Eiken S-CBT. For families abroad, first check where you can take it, whether the grade you want is offered, and whether the dates fit school life and travel.
Eiken S-CBT measures the four skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing in a single day. The official Eiken site states that the question formats, difficulty, grade certification, CSE score and certificate are the same as for the traditional test.
Venues you can use abroad
| Test format | Overseas venues | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Eiken | Four: London, New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu | Individual application page |
| Eiken S-CBT | Eight: Los Angeles, New York, London, Düsseldorf, Detroit, San Jose, Houston, Toronto | S-CBT overseas venues page |
The Eiken individual application page lists the four public venues above for the traditional test. Test dates, fees and application methods differ from those in Japan, so do not plan from the Japanese annual schedule alone. If you sit the test from the Netherlands, consider not only how easy the journey is but also accommodation around the test and school dates.
The Eiken S-CBT overseas venues page lists the eight venues above. In Europe the candidates are London and Düsseldorf. Each venue has its own test dates and application deadline, so check the venue page for the month you want directly. Details are on the test centre pages for Düsseldorf and London.
The site also announces that, for overseas S-CBT from April 2026, presenting the original of a photo ID is required. Always check the identification rules in the official information before you travel.
When there is no venue in the Netherlands
When no venue is nearby, it is tempting to put the test off. The study plan, however, can move ahead first.
First decide the target grade. Next check the test month at a venue you can realistically reach. Then, counting back 8 to 12 weeks before the test, move through checking the current level, strengthening weak points, past papers, time management and interview or speaking practice.
Even before the test date is fixed, you can keep up vocabulary, reading, listening and short writing. For one example of taking Eiken abroad, the Eiken guide for families in Singapore is also a useful reference.
An 8-week study plan
The time needed varies with the grade and the starting point, so 8 weeks is a guide for building a plan, not a fixed rule. How to spend the final week is covered in how to spend the week before the first stage.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Check the current level with past papers or practice questions |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Fill gaps in vocabulary and grammar while giving time to the weaker of reading, listening and writing |
| Weeks 5 to 6 | Increase timed practice |
| Week 7 | Focus on corrected mistakes and revising your writing |
| Week 8 | Do full practice at the same time of day as the real test |
What you can do online
Online, you can still work on how to approach reading, vocabulary checks, listening review, writing feedback and speaking practice.
Living abroad in particular, using English in daily life is different from being familiar with Eiken's question formats. Even if your child uses English at school, vocabulary questions, summaries and essays, and use of the test time may need separate practice.
It is also important not to lean only on Eiken preparation, and to adjust the amount according to the load from school English and other subjects. For how the first weeks at a Dutch school can look, see also what Japanese children often find hard first after moving to a Dutch school.
What to check on the official site before the test
Summary
You can keep studying for Eiken while living in the Netherlands. As of 13 October 2026, however, no official venue in the Netherlands can be confirmed, so you need to plan the test around travelling to an overseas venue.
First decide the venue and date on the official Eiken site, then build a study plan counted back from that day. When Petra Tutors supports Eiken preparation, we also begin by confirming the test date and the current level, and adjust the amount to what fits alongside school life. The whole of our support is on the Eiken page.
References
- Society for Testing English Proficiency | Individual application, taking the test abroad
- Society for Testing English Proficiency | Eiken S-CBT overseas venues
- Society for Testing English Proficiency | Eiken S-CBT Düsseldorf test centre
- Society for Testing English Proficiency | Eiken S-CBT London test centre
