EIKEN Grade 1 exam-day guide
EIKEN Grade 1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed or downloaded admission slip (受験票)
EIKEN sends the 受験票 (exam admission slip) before the test. Print it or keep the digital copy accessible on your phone, and check that your name, test grade, venue, and start time are correct. If anything is wrong or the slip has not arrived, contact the provider immediately - the exact replacement procedure is set by the provider, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming you can be admitted without it.
Valid photo identification
Bring the ID type the provider specifies for your test grade and venue (for example a student ID, passport, or residence card). Grade 1 candidates are often adults, so do not assume a school ID is acceptable - confirm the accepted ID list with the provider before test day. The name on your ID should match the name on your admission slip.
Writing implements (pencils and a sharpener or spare leads)
Bring several sharpened pencils (or spare leads) and an eraser. The marking-sheet section is answered with a pencil; do not rely on a single pen. Check whether the provider permits mechanical pencils or requires wooden pencils - this varies, so confirm with the provider.
Watch (non-smart, no communication functions)
Many venues do not guarantee a visible clock. A simple analog or digital wristwatch is the safest way to pace the reading and listening sections. Smartwatches and any device with communication or storage functions are typically prohibited; leave them at home or be ready to remove them.
Confirmation of venue location and route
Look up the exact building and room, not just the station. Large venues can have multiple entrances and the room assignment may only be posted on site. Plan a route with a backup in case of delays, and note the provider's stated arrival and entry cut-off times.
Transportation and timing plan including a buffer
Aim to arrive well before the stated reporting time. Listening playback starts at a fixed moment; late entry during audio playback is commonly refused. Build in at least 20–30 minutes of buffer for queues at the entrance and ID checks.
Water and a light snack for after the test
The test itself is long, and eating or drinking during the test is usually restricted. Keep water and a snack in your bag for after the session rather than on your desk. Confirm the venue's rules on drinks at your desk with the provider.
Layered clothing and a bag that closes
Venue temperature can vary and you cannot leave to adjust it. Wear layers you can remove quietly. Use a bag that closes so that notes, phones, and study materials are not visible or accessible during the test.
All study materials stored away before entry
Notes, vocabulary lists, and textbooks must stay in your bag and out of reach during the test. Do not leave review sheets on your desk or in your pocket; possession of unauthorized material during the test can lead to invalidation.
Phone powered off and stowed
Turn off alarms and power the phone fully off before entering the room, then stow it in your bag. An alarm or vibration during the listening section can be treated as a conduct issue. Confirm the venue's device policy with the provider.
Review of the answer-sheet format and timing
Before the day, practice transferring answers under time pressure and check how the marking sheet is laid out (for example, whether answers are marked by shading or writing). Mis-marked sheets are not corrected for you. The exact sheet format is set by the provider - confirm with the provider if you are unsure.
Plan for the interview stage (Grade 1)
Grade 1 includes a speaking stage after the written test. Read the provider's current guidance on scheduling, what to bring, and how results are announced, and keep the weeks after the written test free of hard commitments until you know the date.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Re-read your own error log and do one timed full run of the reading and listening sections under exam conditions, including answer transfer. Confirm the venue address, the reporting time, and the ID you will bring; if the admission slip has not arrived or has an error, contact the provider now rather than later.
Do a light review of the writing task format: how many words are expected, how the prompt is structured, and how you will allocate minutes between planning, drafting, and checking. Practice one outline only - do not write a full essay at this point. Prepare the clothes and bag you will take.
Pack the bag: admission slip, ID, pencils, eraser, watch, water, snack. Power off and stow devices. Check the weather and transit status for the morning route. Set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time; late-night cramming costs more in listening focus than it gains in knowledge.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with buffer time. Keep your phone off from the moment you enter the building. Use the waiting time for a short, calm skim of your own notes - not new material - then put everything away before entering the room. Locate the restroom before the session starts.
Skim the passage questions first, then read with purpose. Do not let one hard item consume the section; mark it, move on, and return if time allows. Transfer answers as you go or in a scheduled block, and reserve the final minutes for checking the marking sheet and the writing task's word count and structure.
Read the next question's options in the pause before each item plays. If you miss a detail, drop it and rejoin at the next question - replaying it mentally costs you the following item. Keep marking the sheet steadily and do not stop to re-read long sections.
Note the date and requirements for the speaking stage while they are fresh. Do not discuss answers at length with other candidates; it adds stress without changing the result. Rest, then begin targeted speaking practice for the interview format.
Rules to check
Bring the admission slip and the ID type the provider requires. If you lack either, entry may be refused; the exact fallback procedure is set by the provider, so confirm with the provider in advance rather than on the day.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Entry after the listening audio has begun is commonly refused, and the provider's cut-off is final. Confirm the exact cut-off time with the provider.
Devices with communication, camera, or storage functions must be powered off and stowed, not merely silenced. Using or even handling such a device during the test can lead to invalidation of your result.
Only authorized items on the desk. Bags, notes, textbooks, and study materials stay closed and out of reach. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, ask the proctor before the test begins.
Follow proctor instructions exactly on when to open the booklet, when to start, and when to stop writing. Continuing to write after the stop instruction is a conduct violation even if you are mid-sentence.
Breaks are limited and are usually taken before or after the session rather than during it. Leave the room only with permission; the clock generally does not stop for you. Confirm the venue's break policy with the provider.
Scoring is set by the provider and results are announced through the provider's official channel. Do not rely on unofficial score-conversion estimates; check the official schedule and score-report procedure with the provider.
If you are unwell or arrive late, contact the provider as soon as possible. Whether a substitute date or refund is available is governed by the provider's policy, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming.