Join 30,000+ students preparing for JFT Basic on JFT Guru. Practice all four sections - Script and Vocabulary, Conversation and Expression, Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension - with real exam patterns and instant scoring. Completely free to start.
The gateway to Japan's Specified Skilled Worker visa
The JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese) is a computer-based Japanese language proficiency test designed for workers applying for Japan's Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa.
Unlike the JLPT which tests academic grammar, JFT-Basic focuses on practical, real-life communication needed in a Japanese workplace - understanding instructions from supervisors, reading signs and notices, and following safety procedures in Japanese.
Passing JFT-Basic is equivalent to JLPT N4 for SSW visa eligibility. It is offered at Prometric test centres in Kathmandu, Nepal throughout the year.
जेएफटी बेसिक परीक्षा पास गरेमा SSW भिसाको लागि आवेदन गर्न पाइन्छ। JFT Guru मा नि:शुल्क अभ्यास गर्नुहोस्।
The JFT-Basic test is a 60-minute computer-based test of about 50 questions, split across four sections:
Hiragana, katakana and basic kanji, plus the everyday vocabulary you need at work and in daily life. Tests whether you can read a word correctly and choose the right one for a sentence.
Choosing the natural thing to say in a given situation - greetings, requests, apologies and workplace exchanges. Tests practical expression rather than grammar rules in isolation.
Short conversations, instructions and announcements played at natural speed. Tests whether you can follow spoken Japanese in everyday and workplace situations.
Signs, notices, short messages and simple instructions. Tests practical reading for the situations you will actually meet in Japan.
| Section |
|---|
| Script and Vocabulary |
| Conversation and Expression |
| Listening Comprehension |
| Reading Comprehension |
| Total: ~50 questions in 60 minutes |
Where to take JFT Basic in Kathmandu
The authorised JFT Basic test centre in Nepal is operated by Prometric in Kathmandu. This is a computer-based testing centre where you take the JFT-Basic exam on a dedicated terminal under supervised conditions.
JFT-Basic runs as a monthly computer-based test rather than a few fixed sittings a year, so you rarely wait long for a date - but seats at the Kathmandu centre are limited and go quickly.
For current 2026 exam dates and registration: visit the Japan Foundation Nepal official website or Prometric Nepal portal.
A practical 4-week preparation plan for Nepali SSW Visa applicants
The real JFT Basic in Nepal is a computer-based adaptive test - not paper. JFT Guru replicates this interface exactly. Start with a free diagnostic test to understand your current level before studying.
JFT Basic requires approximately 1,200–1,500 Japanese vocabulary words at A2 level. Focus on workplace vocabulary: job sites, instructions, safety signs, and daily communication. Use JFT Guru's word lists and flashcards.
In the real JFT Basic exam, audio plays only ONCE. This surprises many Nepali students. Practice daily listening with JFT Guru's listening mock tests to train your ear for single-play audio at natural speed.
Complete full timed JFT Basic mock tests on JFT Guru at least 3 times per week. The interface matches the real CBT exam. Review every wrong answer. Aim for 70%+ across all three sections.
Nepali students who consistently score 70% or above on JFT Guru mock tests across all sections pass the real JFT Basic exam at a high rate. One week before your exam, take daily full mock tests to build confidence.
Recommended schedule for SSW Visa applicants
| Week | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Vocabulary + Hiragana/Katakana review |
| Week 2 | Listening drills + conversation and expression practice |
| Week 3 | Full mock tests + weakness analysis |
| Week 4 | Exam simulation + confidence building |
All sets are free to access. Real CBT interface. Instant scoring.
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Start →Real experiences from students who passed JFT Basic using JFT Guru
"JFT Guru ko free mock tests le mero JFT Basic exam pass garna dherai help garyo. I scored well on my first attempt and got my SSW Visa within 3 months!"
Sita Karki
Kathmandu, Nepal
"I prepared for 2 months using JFT Guru. The listening practice sections were exactly like the real exam. Passed JFT Basic in February 2026 and now working in Japan."
Ram Prasad Thapa
Pokhara, Nepal
"Best free JFT preparation app for Nepal. I tried other websites but JFT Guru has the most practice questions and the interface feels exactly like the real CBT at Prometric."
Pratima Shrestha
Lalitpur, Nepal
Avoid these pitfalls to maximise your score on exam day
Unlike practice apps, the real JFT Basic plays audio only once. Many Nepali students expect a replay - train for single-play listening from day one on JFT Guru.
JFT Basic reading section requires recognising hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji. Students who skip script practice consistently score lower on the reading section.
The JFT Basic is time-pressured. Practice with a timer. Students who complete mock tests without timing are often shocked by the pace of the real exam.
The real exam is computer-based. Using paper practice materials does not prepare you for the screen-based interface. JFT Guru replicates the actual CBT environment.
JFT Basic tests practical communication, not grammar rules. Spending too much time on textbook grammar instead of mock tests is the #1 mistake of Nepali students.
Everything Nepali students need to know about JFT Basic and SSW Visa Japan
Yes, JFT Basic is available in Nepal. The Japan Foundation has authorised Prometric to conduct JFT-Basic computer-based tests (CBT) at their Kathmandu test centre. Nepali citizens applying for the SSW visa can register and sit the exam locally without travelling abroad.
The primary authorised JFT Basic exam centre in Nepal is in Kathmandu, operated by Prometric. Registration is done online through the Japan Foundation's official portal or Prometric Nepal. Always verify the current address on the official website before your exam date.
The fee is set per country and collected by Prometric; the Japan Foundation does not publish one global price, and figures quoted on third-party sites are often out of date or simply wrong. Check the current Nepal fee on the official Prometric booking site at the moment you register - it is the only source that is authoritative and current.
JFT-Basic is scored from 10 to 250 points, and the SSW visa requires 200 or above - reported as A2.2. Since August 2026 the test also reports A1 (145-174) and A2.1 (175-199), so it is possible to get a level on your result and still be short of the 200 you need. A2 is roughly equivalent to JLPT N4. It is one total score across all four sections, not a separate pass mark per section.
Yes. JFT Guru is completely free to start for Nepali students. Register free to access JFT Basic mock tests, vocabulary drills, listening practice, and Japanese learning tools. Over 30,000 Nepali students have used JFT Guru to prepare for JFT Basic. A premium plan is available for unlimited access.
JFT Guru (jftguru.com) is widely used by Nepali students preparing for JFT Basic. It offers 20+ full mock test sets, 5,000+ questions modelled on real JFT Basic patterns, a CBT-style interface matching the actual exam, and free access to core practice materials.
JFT-Basic is held monthly as a rule rather than in a few fixed windows per year, so there is usually a date within weeks. Seats at the Kathmandu centre are limited, so book as early as you can and check Prometric for the current schedule.
Both JFT Basic and JLPT N4 are accepted for Nepal SSW visa applicants. JFT Basic is computer-based, takes 60 minutes, and tests practical workplace communication. JLPT N4 is paper-based, takes ~3 hours, and tests broader grammar. Either certificate is valid. Many Nepali students find JFT Basic easier to prepare for with targeted mock test practice.
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