The SPI Test in Japanese Job Hunting: What It Is and How to Prepare
The SPI is the aptitude test most widely used by Japanese companies to screen job applicants, especially new graduates. It has an ability section, split into verbal (Japanese language) and non-verbal (maths and logic) questions, and a personality questionnaire. For international candidates, the hardest part is usually the verbal section, because it tests Japanese vocabulary and reading at speed. The non-verbal maths is around secondary-school level, but the questions are written in Japanese and timed. Practice with SPI-style questions and work on reading Japanese quickly make the biggest difference. Here’s what the test includes and how to prepare.
What the SPI includes
| Section | Japanese name | Typical questions |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal ability | 言語 | Word relationships, synonyms and meanings, filling gaps, ordering sentences, short reading passages |
| Non-verbal ability | 非言語 | Percentages, profit and loss, speed and distance, probability, sets, logic puzzles, reading tables |
| Personality | 性格検査 | Many quick questions about how you think and behave |
Some companies add optional sections, such as English or structural reasoning. Other companies use different aptitude tests altogether, so check what each employer uses.
How you take it
The SPI can be taken in several formats: online at home, at a test centre, on paper or at the company’s office. The format affects the question style and pacing, so ask or check the company’s instructions. Online versions often show one question at a time with a timer, and you can’t go back.
Why it’s hard for international candidates
- Vocabulary. The verbal section uses kanji compounds and set phrases common in written Japanese, which many learners know only partly.
- Speed. You have well under a minute per question, so slow reading costs marks even in the maths section.
- Maths in Japanese. Terms like 割合 (ratio), 損益算 (profit and loss) and 速さ (speed) need to be instantly recognisable.
How to prepare
- Find out which test and format your target companies use.
- Work through SPI-style practice questions to learn the question types. They repeat a lot.
- Learn the maths vocabulary in Japanese and practise the standard methods for each type.
- Build reading speed with short daily reading under time pressure. Our JLPT reading tips help here too.
- Do timed practice tests in the same format you’ll take.
The personality test
Answer honestly and consistently. The questionnaire checks for contradictions, and trying to guess the “ideal” answer often backfires. Read each statement carefully: the nuance of Japanese phrasing, such as どちらかといえば (“if anything, rather”), matters.
Where the SPI fits in job hunting
The SPI usually comes after the entry sheet and before interviews. A good score gets you to the interview stage, where your Japanese and preparation matter most. See our guide to shūkatsu for international students for the full process, and our guide to the Japanese level for jobs in Japan for what employers expect.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native Japanese tutors help international candidates prepare online for Japanese aptitude tests: building the vocabulary and reading speed the verbal section needs, explaining maths terms in Japanese and working through practice questions with you. We can then help with your entry sheet and interviews. Tell us your target companies and when you apply.