Passing Eiken® Pre-1st Grade in 11th Grade | 180-Hour Study Record | N.F.'s Success Story

Eiken® Pre-1st Grade is a hurdle that many high school students take on, as it serves as a powerful asset for university entrance exams. However, passing it while balancing schoolwork and club activities is no easy feat.

In this article, we introduce the study record of N.F., who learned with Stasta LIVE Eiken® and passed the Eiken® Pre-1st Grade exam in their second year of high school.

The total study time was approximately 180 hours. They passed the first stage of the exam with a score of 2,342, which is 38 points above the passing threshold. We share the journey to passing the Pre-1st Grade exam with university entrance exams in mind, including comments from the student themselves.

N.F.'s Profile

Name| N.F.
Grade| 11th Grade
Grade Passed| Eiken® Pre-1st Grade (1st Stage)
Exam Date| October 5, 2025
Score Obtained| 2,342 points (38 points above passing threshold)
Study Time| Approx. 180 hours
Eiken® Exam History| 3rd Grade: 1 attempt, Pre-2nd Grade: 1 attempt, 2nd Grade: 2 attempts, and Pre-1st Grade

Reason for Aiming for Eiken® Pre-1st Grade | "To Gain an Advantage in University Entrance Exams"

N.F.'s reason for aiming for Eiken® Pre-1st Grade was clear.

In recent years, many universities have been using Eiken® grades and CSE scores as factors for additional points in entrance exams or as application requirements. In particular, the number of universities that treat Pre-1st Grade as equivalent to a perfect score on the Common Test for university admissions or as a preferential measure for comprehensive selection and recommendation entrance exams is increasing.

The decision to "secure a weapon to prove English proficiency before university entrance exams" is a rational choice for modern university entrance exam strategy.

Eiken® Exam History | Gradually Moving Up Grades

N.F. has gradually moved up through the Eiken® grades as follows:

• Eiken® 3rd Grade | 1 attempt

• Eiken® Pre-2nd Grade | 1 attempt

• Eiken® 2nd Grade | 2 attempts

• Eiken® Pre-1st Grade | Passed in the exam covered in this article

We appreciate the honesty in the fact that they took the 2nd Grade exam twice. It shows the process of overcoming the frustration of not passing on the first attempt and using it to fuel the next challenge.

Reasons for Choosing Stasta LIVE Eiken®

There are two reasons why N.F. chose Stasta LIVE Eiken®.

The ability to take classes from anywhere in the country online, and the accumulated expertise in Eiken®-specific instruction. These two points were major deciding factors for achieving results in a short period while balancing high school academics.

N.F.'s Study Record | Approximately 180 Hours of Effort

Study Time Allocation | Basic Daily Menu

N.F.'s study routine consisted of the following three pillars.

Vocabulary Study | 40 Minutes per Day

Strengthening vocabulary, which is the foundation for passing Eiken® Pre-1st Grade. Eiken® Pre-1st Grade requires a vocabulary level of approximately 7,500 to 9,000 words, making vocabulary study the most critical factor in passing or failing.

Level-Appropriate Textbook Study | 30 Minutes per Day

At Suta-Suta LIVE Eiken®, we design custom-made teaching materials tailored to each student's level. In N.F.'s case, she also continued her studies using textbooks with a difficulty level appropriate for her current ability.

Reviewing Past Exams and Other Tasks

Getting used to the exam format and reviewing questions that were answered incorrectly. The key to achieving results in a limited amount of time is to 'not just leave them as they are after solving'.

Measures Focused On Especially | Writing

The measure N.F. focused on in particular was writing.

Writing in Eiken® Pre-1st Grade has a high score weighting that significantly impacts pass/fail results. It requires stating one's opinion logically on a specified topic in 120 to 150 words. It is also an area where it is difficult to judge whether one is writing correctly through self-study.

At Suta-Suta LIVE Eiken®, in addition to corrections by instructors, you can also utilize AI corrections from Suta-Suta Apps. A learning cycle is established that combines increasing the volume of practice with receiving quality feedback from instructors.

Approaching Weak Areas | Listening and Speaking

On the other hand, the areas N.F. felt were her weaknesses were listening and speaking.

The method for overcoming them is simple.

Rather than relying on superficial techniques, I got my ears accustomed to English by engaging with it every day. This steady, consistent effort led to a boost in my listening skills.

Support received through Suta-Suta LIVE Eiken®

The biggest change before and after taking the course | "My English reading speed increased"

The change N.F. felt most significantly before and after the course was in reading comprehension speed.

The long passages in Eiken® Pre-1st Grade have a high word count, and time management is strict. Increasing reading speed directly translates to higher scoring potential.

Best aspects of the support | "Flexibility with time"

The support from Suta-Suta LIVE Eiken® that N.F. valued was its flexibility with time.

For high school students, there are many factors that can disrupt a study schedule, such as exam periods, club tournaments, and school events. The flexibility of an online-only format, which allows class times to be adjusted to fit the student's schedule, made continued learning possible.

Advice that left an impression

The three pieces of advice that left an impression on N.F. are as follows:

All of these are simple and practical pieces of advice that make students feel like they can do it and want to try. In particular, the phrase "Just listening is an achievement in itself" feels like a warm sentiment that encourages students facing their weak areas.

Useful learning systems and materials | "Deta-Tan"

The material N.F. found particularly useful was the vocabulary learning app "Deta-Tan."

An environment where you can efficiently and repeatedly study the vast vocabulary required for the Pre-1st Grade level is essential for passing in a short period.

The moment of passing | "That was super close"

N.F.'s reaction the moment she found out she passed was truly honest.

Her score was 2,342. It was truly a "close call" pass, just 38 points above the passing threshold.

However, this also means that she had definitely acquired the necessary academic skills. The fact that she cleared the passing line in 180 hours of study is proof that her learning was designed efficiently.

Future Goal | "Passing 1st Grade while in University"

N.F.'s next goal is already set.

By viewing passing Pre-1st Grade as just one milestone and setting her sights on the highest level, 1st Grade, she maintains the secret to continuously improving her English proficiency.

How exactly is a Pre-1st Grade score used in university entrance exams?

From being converted to a perfect score for the Common Test for University Admissions to receiving preferential treatment in comprehensive selection processes and meeting application requirements, Pre-1st Grade serves as a weapon to advance university entrance exams in various ways.

Advice for those taking Eiken® from now on

This is a message from N.F. to those who will be challenging Eiken® in the future.

It is simple, but it is advice that hits the essence. As the grade level of Eiken® increases, the weight of vocabulary in determining pass or fail grows. Especially from Pre-1st Grade and above, there are more situations where you cannot even grasp the meaning of the questions if you do not know the words.

Steady vocabulary study is the shortest route to passing. Coming from N.F., who went through 180 hours of study, these words carry weight.

A mishap on the day of the exam | "I forgot my study materials"

Finally, here is an important message from N.F. to her juniors.

The waiting time on the day of the exam is the final finishing time for last-minute checks and reviewing vocabulary. If you forget your materials, you cannot utilize this precious time.

Be sure to bring study materials you want to check at the last minute, such as vocabulary books or summary notes, to the test venue.

What you can learn from N.F.'s record

Based on N.F.'s study record, here are the key points that those aiming to pass Eiken® Pre-1st Grade can use as a reference.

Lesson 1 | Pre-1st Grade is strategically effective before university entrance exams

The number of universities where you can utilize Eiken® Pre-1st Grade for entrance exams is increasing every year. By obtaining Pre-1st Grade in your second year of high school, you can reduce the burden during the actual entrance exams and allocate more time to other subjects.

Lesson 2 | A benchmark of 180 hours of study time

N.F. passed with approximately 180 hours of study. This is equivalent to a pace of "studying for about 10 hours a week for 18 weeks (about 4 and a half months)." You can use this as a benchmark when planning by working backward from the time remaining until your university entrance exams.

Lesson 3 | Invest time in writing and vocabulary

N.F. focused most on writing and prioritized vocabulary above all else. Investing time in these two areas is essential for passing the Pre-1st Grade.

Lesson 4 | Weak areas can be overcome by "touching them every day"

Areas where consistency yields results, such as listening and speaking, can be overcome through the steady effort of "engaging with English every day."

Conclusion | Consultations on Eiken® preparation with university entrance exams in mind

At StudyStudio LIVE Eiken®, we provide guidance to high school students like N.F. who are aiming to obtain Eiken® certification with university entrance exams in mind.

In our free counseling sessions, after hearing about your current English proficiency, we will propose a concrete plan, including "how you can utilize Eiken® at your target university," "how much study time is required to pass," and "which materials to use and how to proceed with your studies."

StudyStudio LIVE Eiken® Free Counseling
https://studystudio.jp/contents/live_eiken

The Eiken® preparation app "StudyStudio Apps" is available for free without the need for member registration. Please use it to grasp your current study status, including AI writing correction, CSE score calculation, and weakness analysis by question type.

StudyStudio Apps
https://apps.studystudio.jp/

Written by: StudyStudio LIVE Eiken® Management Office
Operated by: StudyStudio Co., Ltd.

*This article is published with the permission of N.F. herself. The image of the certificate is also used with permission.
*The study time and scores mentioned in the article are individual cases and do not guarantee a passing result. Progress and the time required to pass vary depending on the child's current situation.
*Eiken® is a registered trademark of the Eiken Foundation of Japan.
*This content has not been approved, recommended, or otherwise reviewed by the Eiken Foundation of Japan.