Scores from the national achievement test in Japan declined in fiscal 2025, the education ministry reported on Monday. The test, conducted in April, evaluated approximately 1.9 million students from about 28,000 schools across the country. Among sixth-grade elementary school students, the Japanese language correct answer rate fell to 67.0% from 67.8%.
Third-year junior high school students scored 54.6%, down from 58.4%, marking the lowest level since the current format began in 2019. Many of these students struggled particularly with writing tasks in the Japanese section.
Math results also worsened. Sixth-graders posted a 58.2% correct answer rate, down from 63.6%. Junior high school students saw their math scores fall to 48.8% from 53.0%, continuing the downward trend.
Science testing returned after a three-year break and showed a sharp decrease. Sixth-grade students scored 57.3%, compared to 63.4% in 2022. The ministry introduced a new computer-based testing (CBT) system for junior high school science. Because of this change, officials could not directly compare scores to previous years.
An education ministry official advised caution when interpreting these results. “Each year’s test has different difficulty levels, so comparisons can mislead,” the official explained. The ministry plans to expand CBT to all subjects by fiscal 2027, which will improve consistency and make future comparisons easier.
The national achievement test in Japan tracks students’ academic abilities and provides essential data for shaping education policy. Policymakers rely on this information to improve classroom outcomes and teaching strategies.
Despite these tools, the 2025 test results raise serious concerns. Declining performance, especially in writing and math, highlights the need for renewed focus on foundational skills. Japan continues to shift toward digital testing, which may offer more accurate assessments in the future.
The 2025 national achievement test in Japan reminds us that education systems must adapt quickly to meet evolving student needs. Educators, parents, and policymakers must join forces to close learning gaps and equip students with the tools for lifelong success.
