Overview
Rekishi Kentei (歴史能力検定, often shortened to Rekiken) is a Japanese certificate exam on history, run by the Japan History Proficiency Test Association. It has six grades, and the higher grades are split into a Japanese history subject and a world history subject. The Association reports about 590,000 cumulative candidates up to the 44th sitting, with teenagers sitting in groups at school forming the largest age group.
Levels or stages
| Grade | Subjects | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 (歴史入門) | Introductory history | Basic Japanese history at about primary-school completion level |
| Grade 4 (歴史基本) | Basic history | Common-knowledge questions on Japanese and world history combined, at about junior-high level |
| Grade Pre-3 (準3級) | Japanese history only | Junior-high level knowledge, with some questions beyond school study. There is no world history subject |
| Grade 3 | Japanese history, world history | Basic high-school-level knowledge |
| Grade 2 | Japanese history, world history | High-school-level themes with more demanding knowledge, plus written-answer questions |
| Grade 1 | Japanese history, world history | Wide range beyond school study, with four-choice, written-answer and essay questions |
Who can apply
There is no eligibility restriction. You can start at any grade.
Exam pattern
For the 45th sitting, every grade is marked out of 100 and the exam lasts 50 minutes (the session is 60 minutes including instructions).
| Grade | Format | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Four-choice plus written answer and essay | 30 |
| Grade 2 | Four-choice plus written answer | 50 |
| Grade 3 | Four-choice | 50 |
| Grade Pre-3 | Four-choice | 50 |
| Grade 4 | Four-choice | 50 |
| Grade 5 | Three-choice | 40 |
You cannot take two subjects whose times overlap in the same sitting, but you can take several subjects whose times do not overlap.
Marking and results
The pass mark is about 60% correct, but it varies by exam. For the 44th sitting, the Association reported these pass rates:
| Grade | Japanese history | World history |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 36.3% | 29.2% |
| Grade 2 | 53.3% | 38.3% |
| Grade 3 | 60.2% | 65.0% |
| Grade Pre-3 | 70.6% | none |
| Grade 4 | 78.7% | - |
| Grade 5 | 97.3% | - |
Passing certain grades can be used elsewhere: Grades 1 to 3 in both Japanese and world history exempt the history subject of the high-school equivalency exam, and Grades 1 and 2 in Japanese history exempt the Japanese history subject of the national interpreter-guide exam. Some schools also value the certificate in admissions.
Important dates
The 45th sitting is on 15 November 2026 (Sunday). The individual application deadline is 6 October 2026. Admit cards are sent by 5 November 2026.
Fees
For the 45th sitting (2026), prices include tax:
| Grade | Fee |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 8,000 yen |
| Grade 2 | 7,000 yen |
| Grade 3 | 5,000 yen |
| Grade Pre-3 | 4,000 yen |
| Grade 4 | 3,100 yen |
| Grade 5 | 2,900 yen |
Fees are paid by credit card or at a convenience store, and are not refunded except when a natural disaster prevents sitting.
How to apply
Register a My Page account on the Association's application site and apply there for the grade and subject you want. The site also lists the test venues, which can change, so check your admit card for the final venue. Grade 1 and 2 candidates must bring photo ID and a photo attached to the admit card.
FAQs
Does Rekishi Kentei cover only Japanese history?
No. Grades 1 to 3 have separate Japanese history and world history subjects, and Grade 4 mixes both. Grade Pre-3 is Japanese history only.
How long is the exam?
Each exam is 50 minutes, within a 60-minute session that includes instructions.