How to take EIKEN in Singapore: the difference between JAS and Satsuki Gakuen

The difference between JAS and Satsuki Gakuen

Fees were checked on the pages cited on October 8, 2026; Satsuki Gakuen’s figures come from its second-round guidance. Check third-round fees and deadlines once each venue publishes them.

Which route fits

A quick way to narrow down which route to check first from your family’s situation. Confirm eligibility in each venue’s latest guidance.

What to know before taking EIKEN in Singapore

EIKEN is the Test in Practical English Proficiency run by the Eiken Foundation of Japan. In Singapore, rather than the usual individual application used in Japan, taking the test mainly means going through a local group venue.

As of October 7, 2026, the main options families can easily check are going through the Japanese Association, Singapore's EIKEN guidance (JAS) or Satsuki Gakuen Singapore's outside-candidate places. A practical way to choose is to look at membership eligibility, the grade you want, the location of the first and second stages, and application deadlines.

Taking the test through JAS

In the Japanese Association's EIKEN guidance, to take the test through the JAS route the candidate must be a full JAS member or a registered family member. Even if only a parent is a member, your child may not be able to take the test as is unless they are registered as a family member.

The 2026 second-round schedule is as follows. JAS's annual schedule gives the venue as the Japanese Association (120 Adam Road) and notes that dates and grades offered may change. The second-round first stage has already passed, so for a new application see the third round below. Check the latest guidance when applications open.

What if you are not a JAS member?

Not being a JAS member does not mean you have no way to take EIKEN in Singapore.

Satsuki Gakuen Singapore announces rounds where, as an EIKEN group venue, it accepts outside candidates who are not enrolled students. The 2026 second round was open to outside candidates, with the first stage on October 2, 2026. According to the school, Grades 5, 4, 3, Pre-2, Pre-2 Plus and 2 are offered, fees differ by grade, and fees for outside candidates are also listed.

For Grade 3 and above, the second stage is not handled the same way as on the JAS route. In Satsuki Gakuen's 2026 second round guidance, candidates who pass the first stage take the second stage at a designated test location in Japan. If you apply looking only at the first stage, you may need to plan travel afterwards.

The next opportunity: the 2026 third round

A new application now means the third round. The Foundation's 2026 group application schedule lists third-round group applications from October 30 to December 14, 2026, a first stage between January 15 and 24, 2027, and second-stage Day A on February 28, 2027, with overseas venues included in Day A. Each venue sets its own actual application period and test date within that frame.

At the time of checking, Satsuki Gakuen's page did not list a third-round deadline, fee or second-stage arrangement. Confirm these in the school's guidance once applications open.

Conventional EIKEN, S-CBT and ID

Both routes above are the conventional EIKEN. JAS's EIKEN Q&A states that EIKEN S-CBT is held only within Japan, so the format presented for taking the test in Singapore is the conventional one. Check the Foundation's guidance for the latest S-CBT locations.

Identification and what to bring follow the admission ticket and each venue's guidance. Rules that could not be confirmed are not stated here.

Which grade should we start with?

EIKEN has no age limit, and you can take a higher grade without having passed the one before. So rather than choosing a grade by school year alone, it is more realistic to look at your current English level and how familiar you are with the question formats.

The combination of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking differs by grade, including Pre-2 Plus. Check the official grade-by-grade explanation before applying.

A checklist to confirm before applying

• Whether the candidate has JAS membership eligibility
• Which of JAS and Satsuki Gakuen accepts outside candidates in that round
• Whether the grade you want is offered
• The date and venue of the first stage
• For Grade 3 and above, where to take the second stage
• The venue's own application deadline
• The fee and payment deadline
• How to receive results and the certificate

The most common problem with taking a test overseas is going ahead with the first-stage application and only later learning where the second stage is. If you are taking Grade 3 or above, it is safer to check the first and second stages together as one set from the start.