# JFT-Basic now reports A1 and A2.1 levels (from August 2026)

> From August 2026, JFT-Basic results show A1 and A2.1 as well as A2. The 200-point pass line for the Specified Skilled Worker visa does not change. Here is who it affects.
- **Author**: Testmigo
- **Published**: 2026-09-19
- **Category**: News
- **URL**: https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-a1-a2-levels-2026

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## What changed

Since August 2026, the JFT-Basic result reports three levels instead of one. A total of 145 to 174 is assessed as A1, 175 to 199 as A2.1, and 200 to 250 as A2.2, which is the same A2 level the test reported before. Until July 2026 the result only showed whether you had reached A2.

## Why it changed

The Japan Foundation added the new levels so JFT-Basic can prove the Japanese level needed for Employment for Skill Development (Ikusei Shūrō), Japan's new status of residence for foreign workers, which comes into operation on 1 April 2027. That system checks Japanese ability in stages, so it needs levels below A2 as well as A2 itself.

## What stays the same

The test itself does not change: four sections, about 50 questions, 60 minutes, and a score from 10 to 250. For the Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa, you still need A2, which means a total of 200 or more.

## Who should care

If you are applying for Specified Skilled Worker (i), nothing changes for you: aim for 200. If you plan to apply for Employment for Skill Development and need to prove A1 or A2.1, take the test in August 2026 or later. The Japan Foundation notes that a result from before August 2026 can only prove A2, not the new lower levels.

## How to use the new levels

The new bands make a result below 200 more useful. A 180 is now reported as A2.1, which tells you that you are past A1 and that the remaining gap to A2 is specific. Treat it as a map: find the section that is costing you the most points, practise it, and retest under real timing.

New to the scale? Read [how JFT-Basic scoring works](/blog/jft-basic-scoring-pass-mark).

**Sources**
- [The Japan Foundation: About the JFT-Basic, test results and levels (checked 19 September 2026)](https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/about/index.html#se05)
- [The Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic FAQ](https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/faq/index.html)
- [Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Outline of the Employment for Skill Development program (PDF)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001438365.pdf)

## Related guides

- [JFT-Basic scoring explained: the 10-250 scale and why 200 is a pass](https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-scoring-pass-mark)
- [JFT-Basic vs JLPT N4: which should you take for the SSW visa?](https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-vs-jlpt-n4)
- [JFT-Basic in Nepal (2026): test centres, fee, booking and retakes](https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-nepal)

[Practise with a free JFT-Basic mock](https://testmigo.com/jft-basic)
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