Q1 What is Suken (Practical Mathematics Proficiency Test)?
Q2 What is the qualification to apply?
Q3 What are the grades and types of this test?
Q4 How many times a year is the test conducted?
Q5 How long are the tests?
Q6 What is the success criteria?
Q7 What is the success rate?
Q8 What kinds of certificates are given?
Q9 Is "Suken" conducted overseas as well?
What is Suken?
"Suken" is one of the 3 major licensing exams, which are "Test in Practical English conducted by STEP", "Kanji Licensing Exam", and "Suken".
"Suken" has become the standard licensing exam for mathematics and arithmetic.
What is the qualification to apply?
Basically, no qualification is required; however, the condition is subject to change when "Suken" Steering Committee finds it necessary, according to the demands of the times and changes in studying circumstances.
What are the grades and types of this test?
The test is divided into 10 grades-namely, 1st, Pre-1st, 2nd, Pre-2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th- each consisting of Section 1 (Calculation Test) and Section 2 (Application Test).
How many time a year is the test conducted?
Private examination: Twice (July and November)
Group examination: Three times (June/July, Oct./Nov., and Dec.～Feb.)
How long are the tests?
Section 1: Calculation Test Grades1～8 1hour (60 min.)
Section 2: Application Test Grades1～Pre-2 2 hours (120 min.)
Grades3～8 1 hour (60 min.)
What is the success criteria?
Section 1: Calculation Test Approx. 70% of all questions
Section 2: Application Test Approx. 60% of all questions
What is the success rate?
Success rate in "Suken" conducted in 2002
Grade Number of examinees Number of successful examinees Success rate Ratio in the total number of examinees
1

464

82

17.7%

0.3%

Pre-1

1789

504

28.2%

1.1%

2

6570

2529

38.5%

4.0%

Pre-2

16032

7178

44.8%

9.7%

3

65105

40143

61.7%

39.5%

4

35561

24510

68.9%

21.6%

5

23492

16558

70.5%

14.3%

6

9518

7031

73.9%

5.8%

7

3491

2670

76.5%

2.1%

8

2786

2081

74.7%

1.7%

Total

164808

103286

62.7%

100.0%

What kinds of certificates are given?
If you pass only the Section 1 (Calculation Test):
"Certificate for passing Calculation Test"

If you pass only the Section 2 (Application Test):
"Certificate for passing Application Test"

If you pass both Section 1 and Section 2 exams:
"Certificate for passing Proficiency Test in Practical Mathematics"

"Prize for Effort" is awarded if unsuccessful.
Success in Calculation Proficiency Test and Mathematical Proficiency Test will be approved separately and guaranteed permanently.

Is "Suken" conducted overseas as well?
"Suken" is conducted overseas as well, currently in the United States, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, etc. In South Korea, The Mathematics Certification Institute of Korea will be inaugurated under the guidance of The Mathematics Certification Institute of Japan.