JFT Basic Score Explained: A1, A2.1 and A2.2 Results (2026 Update)

You have your JFT-Basic result and it shows a level and a number. This guide explains exactly what those mean, and - the part that catches people out - which of them actually qualify you for a visa.

The short answer

JFT-Basic is scored from 10 to 250 points. For the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa you need 200 points or above, which is reported as A2.2. Anything below 200 does not qualify you, however close it looks.

The score bands

• 200-250 - A2.2 (A2). Qualifies for the SSW visa.
• 175-199 - A2.1. Does not qualify.
• 145-174 - A1. Does not qualify.
• Below 145. No level is reported.

What changed in August 2026 - and why it confuses people

Before August 2026, JFT-Basic reported one thing: whether you had reached A2.2. If you had not, your result simply did not show a level.

Since August 2026 the test also assesses and reports A1 and A2.1. On balance this is an improvement - a result now tells you how close you are rather than just "no" - but it has created a predictable and expensive misunderstanding.

A level on your result is not the same as a pass. An A2.1 result means you scored between 175 and 199. That is real Japanese ability and it is close to the line. It is still not enough for the SSW visa. Only A2.2 - 200 points and above - is.

If you took the test before August 2026 and are comparing results with someone who took it after, this is why their result shows a level and yours did not.

There is no per-section pass mark

Your score is a single total across all four sections - Script and Vocabulary, Conversation and Expression, Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension. There is no minimum you must hit in each one individually.

Practically, that means a weak section can be offset by strong ones. It also means a single weak section can quietly cost you the pass, so it is worth knowing which one is dragging you down.

Note that some guides describe per-section scores out of 500. There is no such scale. The score is one total from 10 to 250.

Why the score is "scaled"

JFT-Basic uses an equating method, so scores are comparable across test dates. Papers differ slightly in difficulty, and equating adjusts for that. The consequence worth knowing: your score is not simply the number of questions you got right, so you cannot calculate it yourself from a raw count.

What A2 actually means in practice

A2 on the CEFR scale is roughly comparable to JLPT N4. In everyday terms it means you can handle routine exchanges - following workplace instructions, shopping, asking directions, reading a notice - without needing everything simplified for you. It is not fluency, and it is not intended to be. It is the level judged sufficient to live and work in Japan without daily life becoming an obstacle.

If you did not reach 200

JFT-Basic runs as a computer-based test monthly as a rule, so retaking is realistic rather than a year-long setback. A few things worth doing before you rebook:

• Find the weak section. Since the total is what counts, the fastest gain usually comes from your worst section, not your best.
• Sit full timed papers, not exercises. If you are losing marks to pace rather than knowledge, more vocabulary will not help.
• Be honest about the gap. A2.1 needs a modest push. A1 needs more time than most people want to admit, and rebooking too early mostly costs another fee.

You can measure where you stand with our full-length mock tests, starting with Set 1.

Results, timing and validity

You see your result on the day of the test, and the official notification of your assessment result is issued within 5 business days. JFT-Basic results do not expire, so once you have a qualifying score it stays usable.

Frequently asked questions

Is A2.1 a pass?

No. A2.1 is 175-199 points. The SSW visa requires 200 or above, which is A2.2. This is the single most common misunderstanding since the August 2026 change.

What is the maximum score?

250 points.

Do I need a minimum in each section?

No. There is one total score across all four sections.

How soon can I retake it?

The test runs monthly as a rule, so you are not waiting long. Check Prometric for available dates and seats.

Does my result expire?

No. JFT-Basic results have no expiration date.