Kanji Kentei (Kanken): Levels, Format and How Learners Can Prepare
The Kanji Kentei, usually called Kanken (漢検), is a Japanese test of kanji knowledge: reading, writing, stroke order, meaning and usage. It is designed for native speakers, mainly Japanese schoolchildren and adults, but many learners of Japanese take it as a personal challenge or to prove strong kanji skills. Unlike the JLPT, it tests kanji only, and you must write the answers by hand. For most learners, Level 2 (2級), which covers all of the roughly 2,000 standard-use kanji, is the realistic top target.
Kanken vs JLPT
| Kanken | JLPT | |
|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Kanji only, in depth | Vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening |
| Who it is for | Mainly native speakers | Learners of Japanese |
| Answer format | Handwritten answers | Multiple choice |
| Use for jobs and visas | Rarely asked for | Widely recognised |
If you need a certificate for work, study or immigration, the JLPT is almost always the one to take. Our guide comparing the JLPT and other Japanese tests explains the alternatives.
The levels
Kanken levels run from Level 10 (the easiest, about 80 kanji taught in the first year of Japanese primary school) up to Level 1, with “pre” levels such as 準2級 in between. As a rough guide:
- Levels 10 to 5 cover the kanji taught in Japanese primary school, about 1,000 characters.
- Levels 4 and 3 cover the kanji of junior high school.
- Level 2 covers all the standard-use kanji (常用漢字) and is often seen as the level of an educated adult.
- Pre-1 and Level 1 go far beyond everyday use and are hard even for native speakers.
Learners who have passed JLPT N2 often find Level 4 or 3 a good first target. The levels and test format can change, so check the official Kanken website before you apply.
What the test asks
- Reading kanji in words and sentences
- Writing kanji from a reading in context
- Stroke order and stroke count (at lower levels)
- Radicals (部首)
- Opposites, synonyms and four-character idioms (四字熟語) at higher levels
- Choosing the right kanji for words that sound the same
The handwriting part is what surprises most learners. If you only type, you will recognise many kanji but struggle to produce them. See Japanese handwriting practice.
Taking the test
In Japan, there are paper tests a few times a year and computer-based tests at test centres on many days. Outside Japan, test sites are limited and may run only in some countries, so check the official site early. Applications usually close well before the test date.
How to prepare
- Learn kanji through words, not just as characters. See how to learn kanji.
- Write by hand every day, even for 10 minutes.
- Use past papers for your level to get used to the question types.
- Review mistakes with spaced repetition so weak kanji come back often.
A tutor can help by checking your handwriting, explaining tricky readings and usage, and reading kanji-heavy texts with you, so the characters become part of real Japanese rather than a list.