# Why most JFT-Basic candidates in Nepal fall short, and how to fix it

> Only about one in three Nepali candidates reached the pass level in recent JFT-Basic windows. The official numbers, the usual reasons, and a fix for each.
- **Author**: Testmigo
- **Published**: 2026-09-19
- **Category**: Test format & prep
- **URL**: https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-pass-rate-nepal

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## The numbers

In the two most recent JFT-Basic reporting windows, 39.0% and then 33.5% of Nepali examinees reached the A2 pass level, well below the average across all countries. At the same time the number of candidates is growing fast: 47,572 people sat the test in Nepal in Japan's fiscal year 2025, up from 7,970 two years earlier.

| Test window | Nepal examinees | Reached A2 | Nepal pass rate | All countries |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| June-July 2026 | 11,330 | 3,796 | 33.5% | 51.3% |
| April-May 2026 | 10,214 | 3,983 | 39.0% | 54.4% |

*From the Japan Foundation's official JFT-Basic result reports.*

A low pass rate isn't a sign the test is unfair. It usually means many candidates sit it before they are ready, often because a job offer or agency date is driving the timeline. Since you can only retake after 45 days, every attempt made too early costs at least six weeks.

## Why candidates fall short

- They study general Japanese instead of the test's practical situations, like notices, announcements and instructions at work.
- They lose easy points in listening, especially numbers, times and prices, and don't use their two plays well.
- Kanji recognition is too slow, so the reading section runs out of time.
- They have never sat a full 60-minute test, so they don't know how to split their time.
- They don't know which section is costing them, so all their study time goes to the section they already like.

## A fix for each

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| Studying the wrong Japanese | Use the Japan Foundation's free Irodori course, which matches the test's everyday situations |
| Listening mistakes | Read the question before playing, use the second play to check, and drill numbers and announcements daily. See [how to prepare for listening](/blog/jft-basic-listening-practice) |
| Slow kanji reading | Small daily kanji and workplace vocabulary sets instead of long weekend sessions |
| No timing practice | Sit at least two full mocks under the real 60-minute limit before test day |
| Studying blind | After each mock, give most of the next week to the section that lost the most points |

The quickest way to find your weak section is a full timed mock. Testmigo's [free JFT-Basic mocks](/jft-basic) score you on the 250-point scale and show which section is holding you below 200. If you're still deciding when to book, read the [Nepal booking guide](/blog/jft-basic-nepal).

## Common questions

### What is the JFT-Basic pass rate in Nepal?

In the June-July 2026 window, 33.5% of Nepali examinees reached A2, compared with 51.3% across all countries. In April-May 2026 it was 39.0%.

### How many people take JFT-Basic in Nepal?

47,572 in Japan's fiscal year 2025, the second-largest number after Indonesia.

### What score do I need to pass?

A total of 200 or more out of 250, which is A2. There is no separate pass mark for each section.

**Sources**
- [The Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic results, June-July 2026 (PDF)](https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/report/pdf/202606-07.pdf)
- [The Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic results, April-May 2026 (PDF)](https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/report/pdf/202604-05.pdf)
- [The Japan Foundation: examinees by country, FY2019-FY2025 (PDF)](https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/report/pdf/country-2019-2025.pdf)
- [The Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic FAQ](https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/faq/index.html)

## Related guides

- [How to prepare for JFT-Basic listening](https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-listening-practice)
- [JFT-Basic study tips: how to prepare in the time you have](https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-study-tips)
- [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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