Tokutei Kaigo › The Tokutei Kaigo exam

Tokutei Ginou care worker (介護) exam practice

The Tokutei Ginou Kaigo exam (特定技能 介護): two tests and how to pass

Updated 19 October 2026

To work in Japan as a 特定技能1号 (Specified Skilled Worker i) care worker, you must pass both computer-based tests run by Prometric: the care skills test 介護技能評価試験 and the care Japanese test 介護日本語評価試験. This page sums up each test, the pass marks and what else you need.

• 2tests, you must pass both
• 45 questionsskills test, 60 min, pass at 60%
• 15 questionsJapanese test, 30 min, pass at 73%
• 45 dayswait before a retake

The two tests

The Kaigo exam is set by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) and taken on a computer at a Prometric test centre. Every question has four choices. The two tests measure different things:

• Care skills test (介護技能評価試験): 45 questions in 60 minutes. 40 theory questions across 介護の基本, こころとからだのしくみ, コミュニケーション技術 and 生活支援技術, plus 5 practical questions where you look at a picture and choose the right care. See the Kaigo skills test page.
• Care Japanese test (介護日本語評価試験): 15 questions in 30 minutes covering care words, conversation and verbal prompts, and reading documents such as care records and shift handovers. See the Kaigo Japanese test page.

Pass marks

The skills test is passed with 60% of the total score or more, which is 27 of 45 questions. The Japanese test is passed with 73% or more, which is 11 of 15 questions (from 1 April 2026). The mark is on the whole test; there is no minimum per section. Details on the scoring page.

What else you need

You also need general Japanese: the JFT-Basic test (国際交流基金日本語基礎テスト) or JLPT N4 or higher. The care Japanese test does not replace it. Some people are exempt from the two Kaigo tests, for example those who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in care work in good standing. See eligibility.

Where and how often

Tests are held almost every month, inside Japan and in other countries, including Vietnam. Prometric publishes separate schedules for Japan and for overseas. The fee in Japan is 2,000 yen per test; overseas fees differ by country and are listed on the Prometric fee page. Bookings cannot be cancelled or refunded. Steps are on the registration page.

After you pass

Passing is one requirement, not a visa. The Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) decides on the residence status together with your employment contract and other documents. Passing does not guarantee a visa.

How to prepare

The closest practice is a timed test with the real structure. Tokutei Kaigo has skills tests of 45 questions in 60 minutes and Japanese tests of 15 questions in 30 minutes, with furigana and English and Vietnamese translations. A correct answer moves on by itself; a wrong answer stops so you can read the explanation. See free mock tests and study tips.

Frequently asked questions

More guides

• Tokutei Kaigo – homePractice app for the 特定技能 care exams: skills and Japanese tests
• Registering for the examFees, Prometric ID, booking steps
• Free Kaigo mock testsFirst 3 tests of each part free, timed like the real test
• Japanese Kaigo vocabulary500 words with readings, first 100 free
• Study tipsReading questions, timing, common traps
• EligibilityAge, residence status, Japanese level, exemptions
• Exam dayWhat to bring, the process, your result
• Kaigo skills test45 questions, 60 min, four theory areas + practical
• Kaigo Japanese test15 questions, 30 min, pass at 73%
• Scoring60% skills, 73% Japanese