# JFT-Basic scoring explained: the 10-250 scale and why 200 is a pass > JFT-Basic gives one overall score from 10 to 250, and 200 or more is a pass at A2. Here is how the scale works, what each level means, and what to do with your result. - **Author**: Testmigo - **Published**: 2026-09-19 - **Category**: Test format & prep - **URL**: https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-scoring-pass-mark --- ## The short answer JFT-Basic is scored on a single scale from 10 to 250 points, and a total of 200 or more counts as a pass at A2 (reported as A2.2). There is no pass mark for individual sections: only the overall score decides the result. You see your total score and level on screen at the end of the test, and the official notification follows within five business days through the Prometric website. ## How the 10-250 scale works The test has about 50 questions across four sections (Script and Vocabulary, Conversation and Expression, Listening Comprehension, and Reading Comprehension), with around 12 questions each and 60 minutes in total. Your score is not a simple count of correct answers. The Japan Foundation converts results to a scaled score using a statistical method called equating, so a score means the same thing whichever version of the test you sat. Because scores are equated, you cannot work out a pass by counting correct answers. What you can control is not dropping easy points anywhere, so it pays to be steady across all four sections rather than perfect in one. ## What each score range means 145 to 174 points is assessed as A1. 175 to 199 points is A2.1, which means you have passed A1 and are progressing towards A2. 200 to 250 points is A2.2, the same A2 level the test used as its pass mark before August 2026. Scores below 145 show no level; the result appears as an asterisk. For the Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa, the level you need is A2, which means a total of 200 or more. ## No section pass mark: what that means for your study Since only the total counts, a weak section can be made up elsewhere, but only up to a point. In practice most candidates who fall short lose points in listening, where each clip can be played at most twice and you cannot go back to earlier questions, or in reading signs, notices and kanji at speed. Find out which section is costing you the most and put your study time there first. A full mock under real timing is the quickest way to find this out. Testmigo's JFT-Basic mocks follow the four-section format and 60-minute timing, score you on the 250-point scale, and show the section holding your total below 200. Score ranges, sections, timing and result reporting come from the Japan Foundation's official JFT-Basic pages. Always confirm current rules there before you book. For what each section contains, see the [JFT-Basic exam format](/blog/jft-basic-exam-format). **Sources** - [The Japan Foundation: About the JFT-Basic (checked 19 September 2026)](https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/about/index.html) - [The Japan Foundation: JFT-Basic FAQ, including the August 2026 level change](https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/faq/index.html) ## Related guides - [JFT-Basic now reports A1 and A2.1 levels (from August 2026)](https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-a1-a2-levels-2026) - [JFT-Basic exam format: 4 sections, about 50 questions, 60 minutes](https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-exam-format) - [JFT-Basic vs JLPT N4: which should you take for the SSW visa?](https://testmigo.com/blog/jft-basic-vs-jlpt-n4) [Practise with a free JFT-Basic mock](https://testmigo.com/jft-basic) --- - [More Test format & prep articles](https://testmigo.com/blog/category/test-format-prep) - [All articles](https://testmigo.com/blog)