Many Japanese test-takers ask whether they should take TOEIC or EIKEN. Both are useful English tests, but their common uses differ and individual schools or employers may accept either one.
TOEIC L&R is widely used for career and workplace purposes and can also be used in education. EIKEN is widely used for admissions and course credit and is also recognised for professional purposes.
The best choice depends on why you need the test.
Core idea: choose the test that matches your goal, not the test that only sounds more familiar.
Purpose: different common uses, not exclusive categories
TOEIC and EIKEN are both English tests, but how a score or certification is used depends on the school, company, programme, or application.
TOEIC
Often used for job hunting, promotion, corporate training, overseas assignments, and business-English benchmarking.
EIKEN
Widely used for admissions, course credit, school goals, and grade-based English development; EIKEN results are also recognised for some professional uses.
Format: scaled-score test or grade-based test
TOEIC L&R is a fixed Listening and Reading test. EIKEN is grade-based, so the task level and format change depending on the grade.
TOEIC L&R
200 multiple-choice questions in about two hours: Listening for about 45 minutes and Reading for 75 minutes.
EIKEN
EIKEN currently has eight grades. Grades 3 through 1, including Pre-2 Plus, use Reading, Writing and Listening in Stage 1 and Speaking in Stage 2; Grades 4 and 5 certify from Reading and Listening, with separate online Speaking Tests available.
TOEIC focus
Listening and Reading comprehension in fixed timed sections, using many practical and workplace-style contexts.
EIKEN focus
Broader English ability across grade levels, including written production and speaking for many grades.
Scoring: 10–990 or grade certification
TOEIC L&R reports Listening, Reading and total scaled scores. EIKEN reports grade pass/fail results together with EIKEN CSE score information.
TOEIC
Listening and Reading are each scored from 5 to 495, for a total score from 10 to 990.
EIKEN
Uses grade certification and CSE score information to show performance within and across levels.
TOEIC result feel
Provides Listening, Reading and total scaled scores that can be compared across test dates.
EIKEN result feel
Good for aiming at a clear grade target, such as Grade 2, Pre-1, or Grade 1.
Timing and availability
Test availability changes by test type, location and administration, so always check the current official schedule. TOEIC L&R and EIKEN both offer multiple testing opportunities, but their schedules and formats are organised differently.
TOEIC planning
Useful when you need to track score movement over time for work, promotion, or recruitment.
EIKEN planning
Useful when you are targeting a specific grade and need to prepare for the required skills at that level.
Who should choose TOEIC?
TOEIC may be a strong fit when an employer, school or programme specifically asks for TOEIC L&R, or when a Listening-and-Reading scaled score matches your goal.
Job hunting
Some employers use TOEIC scores in recruitment or career development, but the exact requirement depends on the organisation.
Promotion
Some workplaces use TOEIC targets for internal evaluation or training.
Business English
TOEIC L&R uses workplace-style listening and reading situations.
Score tracking
TOEIC L&R provides Listening, Reading and total scaled scores that can be compared across attempts.
Who should choose EIKEN?
EIKEN may be a strong fit when a school or programme accepts a specific EIKEN grade or CSE score, or when a grade-based target suits your learning goal.
School entrance goals
EIKEN is used by many Japanese high schools, colleges and universities for admissions or course credit, although each institution sets its own requirements.
Four-skill development
EIKEN can support reading, listening, writing, and speaking development depending on the grade.
Clear grade target
Some learners prefer aiming for a specific grade rather than a numerical score.
Education requirements
EIKEN may fit learners whose school, admission route or course-credit requirement specifies an EIKEN grade or CSE score.
Quick comparison
Purpose
TOEIC: common career, workplace and educational uses. EIKEN: strong admissions and grade-certification uses, with some professional recognition too.
Format
TOEIC L&R: Listening and Reading. EIKEN: skills and tasks vary by grade.
Result
TOEIC: 10–990 score. EIKEN: grade result plus CSE score information.
Best question
TOEIC: “What score do I need?” EIKEN: “Which grade do I need?”
Practical rule: first check the exact requirement of the company, school or programme. If neither test is specified, TOEIC L&R may suit a workplace-oriented Listening-and-Reading benchmark, while EIKEN may suit a grade-based target with broader skill coverage at the relevant grades.
Final takeaway
TOEIC and EIKEN are not enemies. They simply answer different questions.
TOEIC L&R measures Listening and Reading through a fixed timed multiple-choice format. EIKEN uses grade-specific tasks and, for Grades 3 through 1 including Pre-2 Plus, a second-stage Speaking test.
Choose based on your next real-world need.
