The Definitive Roadmap to Passing Eiken Grade 1: A Complete Guide to Vocabulary, Reading, and Interview Strategies

"I want to take on Eiken Grade 1, but I've been discouraged by the advanced vocabulary."

"I'm confident about passing the first stage, but the impromptu speech in the second stage interview is daunting."

Eiken Grade 1 is often considered the "Final Goal" for English language learners, with a pass rate of only around 10%.

This exam, which even those with perfect TOEIC scores or professional interpreters can fail, tests not only English proficiency but also a sophisticated understanding of social issues and the ability to communicate logically.

Furthermore, there is no S-CBT (computer-based test) option for Eiken Grade 1. You only have three opportunities per year to take the test at an official venue.

Therefore, there is no time for inefficient preparation.

This article covers all the essential strategies for success, from tackling the 10,000+ vocabulary barrier to mastering speech structures that will keep you from freezing up in the second-stage interview.

Before You Tackle Eiken Grade 1: A Readiness Checklist

Before you begin your preparation, let's see if you're truly ready to take on the challenge.

• [ ] You have continued studying for over a year since passing Eiken Grade Pre-1.
• [ ] You have a TOEIC L&R score of 900 or higher, or an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher.
• [ ] You can grasp the general meaning of articles from TIME or The Economist without a dictionary.
• [ ] You are interested in current events (politics, environment, technology) and can articulate your opinions on them.
• [ ] You have experience practicing writing essays of about 200 words in English.

If you can't check at least three of these boxes, your best first step is to review the Eiken Grade Pre-1 material and engage in extensive reading of English-language newspapers.

1. Understanding Eiken Grade 1: Difficulty and Passing Score

Pass Rate and Level

• Pass Rate: Approximately 10% for the first stage. While the pass rate for the second stage is around 60%, it remains highly competitive given the caliber of the candidates who have already passed the first stage.
• Level: Upper-division university to graduate school level. Corresponds to C1 on the CEFR.
• Required Vocabulary: Approximately 10,000–15,000 words. Equivalent to an educated native speaker.

Ideal Scoring Model (Passing Score: CSE 2028 / 2630)

Eiken Grade 1 is not an exam where you aim for a perfect score. The key to passing is a strategy that clearly distinguishes between questions you can afford to miss and those where you must score points.

2. [First Stage] The Vocabulary Strategy: Conquering the 15,000-Word Hurdle

Nine out of ten Eiken Grade 1 candidates struggle with the vocabulary section. The reality is that relying solely on standard vocabulary books like 'Deru-jun Passtan' is not enough.

3 Steps for Vocabulary Learning

1. Perfect the 'Deru-jun Passtan'

   This is the foundation. This alone can secure 50-60% correct answers in Section 1.

Pro Tip:

It's a golden rule to finish Section 1 (Sentence Completion) in 12-15 minutes. Pondering won't produce the answer. The courage to 'skip what you don't know' will save you time for the reading comprehension section.

3. [First Stage] Conquering the New Writing Format (Summary)

Starting in the 2024 academic year, the test has been updated to include a 'Summarization' task in addition to the traditional 'Argumentative Essay'.

Tips for the Summary Task

• Paraphrasing: Using the exact wording from the original text will result in a lower score. Rephrase using synonyms and different sentence structures.
• Structure: Stick to a structure of 'Main Idea' + '2-3 Key Details'. Don't deviate.
• Word Count: Your ability to summarize within the specified word count (around 90-110 words) is tested.

A Foolproof Structure for the Argumentative Essay

1. Introduction: Clearly state your position (Agree/Disagree).
2. Body 1: Reason 1 (e.g., from an economic perspective).
3. Body 2: Reason 2 (e.g., from an environmental or social perspective).
4. Body 3: Reason 3 (e.g., regarding future prospects).
5. Conclusion: Summary (restate your position).

4. [Second Stage] No Freezing Up! Interview Speech Strategies

In the second-stage interview, you will face two examiners (typically one native English speaker and one Japanese). You will choose one of five given topics, deliver a 2-minute impromptu speech, and then participate in a Q&A session.

List of Common Topics & Angles for Your Answers

While the topics for Grade 1 are wide-ranging, there are recurring themes and standard approaches to them.

'Magic Phrases' to Avoid Freezing During the Q&A

• Buying time: "That’s a very intriguing question. Let me think for a second..."
• Asking for clarification: "Could you rephrase that question, please?"
• Partial disagreement: "I agree with you to some extent, but I also think that..."

What's important is your 'Attitude'.

Even if your English isn't perfect, your willingness to communicate and your confidence in making eye contact will significantly impact your 'Attitude' score.

5. Conclusion: When You Feel You've Hit a Wall with Self-Study

While you can memorize vocabulary for Eiken Grade 1 on your own, there are limits to self-study when it comes to getting your writing corrected and practicing for the speech interview without professional feedback.

Efficient preparation is crucial, especially when you only have three opportunities to take the test each year.

ELT | Eiken Grade 1 Preparation Course

At ELT, our native instructors—graduates of prestigious UK universities and seasoned experts in Eiken Grade 1 coaching—will support you on that 'last mile' to success.

• Writing Correction: Guidance on weaknesses in logical structure and more sophisticated vocabulary.
• Mock Interviews: Train your ability to 'think on your feet' in impromptu speeches and Q&A sessions under exam-like pressure.
• Current Events in English: Simultaneously strengthen your background knowledge and reading comprehension using materials like The Economist.