If you are applying for the Specified Skilled Worker 2 (SSW2) visa, you have to decide which of the two routes you are going to take, and prepare for the required tests.
The ideal candidate for the SSW2 visa, according to the SSW portal, is someone with advanced skills gained through work experience, who can lead, guide, and supervise workers on-site.
To obtain an SSW2 visa, you must meet the requirements for one of two (2) routes.
Either route requires at least three years of work experience in the manufacturing industry at a company based in Japan. If you have completed three years of technical intern training, then you are qualified to take the tests.
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Route 1: Skills Aptitude Test
The prospective applicant going through the Skills Aptitude Test route is required to take the Level 1 Skills Aptitude Test of her job category.
This is the highest level that even Japanese workers can take and requires mastery of your work. Both written and practical test are required.
This route is two ranks harder than Route 2, and is not recommended for most applicants.
Route 2: Specified Skills 2 Evaluation Test
This route is easier compared with the first, but requires two tests:
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Manufacturing Sector Specified Skilled Worker 2 Evaluation Test. The contents of this special written test is similar to Level 3 Skills Aptitude Test which is (optionally) administered to technical intern trainees before they finish three (3) years of training.
Testing fee for this is ¥15,000.
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Level 3 Business Career Skills Aptitude Test in either A. Production Control Planning (生産管理プランニング), or B. Production Control Operation (生産管理オペレーション). This is the lowest level of the test which evaluates skills for the planning and operation of a manufacturing site.
Testing fee is ¥8,320 (¥7,920 testing fee＋¥400 application fee).
Sample questions for Route 2
The sample questions and the test itself are conducted only in Japanese. Download the sample questions below to assess your ability to take and pass the tests.
(There are no sample questions for Route 1. If you chose this path, you probably already know where to look.)
1. Manufacturing Sector Specified Skilled Worker 2 Evaluation Test sample questions
The sample questions below are from the Specified Skilled Foreign Human Resources System portal.
| Machining and metal processing | Electric and electronic equipment assembly | Metal surface treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample questions | |||
| Included skills | Casting, Forging, Die casting, Machining, Metal press, Iron work, Factory sheet metal work, Finishing, Machine inspection, Machine maintenance, Electric equipment assembling, Plastic molding, Painting, Welding, Industrial packaging | Machining, Finishing, Machine inspection, Machine maintenance, Electronic equipment assembling, Electric equipment assembling, Print wiring board manufacturing, Plastic molding, Industrial packaging | Electroplating, Aluminum anodizing |
2. Level 3 Business Career Skills Aptitude Test sample questions
The sample questions below are from the Japan Vocational Ability Development Association (JAVADA) website.
Study Materials
You need three (3) books for the Level 3 Business Career Skills Aptitude Test: two textbooks and one sample questions book.
Textbooks for Level 3 Business Career Skills Aptitude Test
You need two textbooks to prepare for the Skills Aptitude Test: No. 1 and No. 2 below if you are taking Production Control Planning; or No. 1 and No. 3 if you are taking the Production Control Operation.
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Business Career Skills Aptitude Test Standard Textbook (Shared Knowledge) Production Control Level 3 ビジネス・キャリア検定試験 標準テキスト【共通知識】生産管理3級
This textbook contains shared knowledge for both Production Control Planning and Production Control Operation. It does not matter which test you plan to take; you need to study this book.
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Business Career Skills Aptitude Test Standard Textbook (Specialized Knowledge) Production Control Planning Level 3 ビジネス・キャリア検定試験 標準テキスト【専門知識】生産管理プランニング 3級
Study this textbook if you plan on taking the Production Control Planning test.
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Business Career Skills Aptitude Test Standard Textbook (Specialized Knowledge) Production Control Operation Level 3 ビジネス・キャリア検定試験 標準テキスト【専門知識】生産管理オペレーション 3級
Study this textbook if you plan on taking the Production Control Operation test.
Sample Questions Level 3 Business Career Skills Aptitude Test
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Business Career Skills Aptitude Test Level 3 (Past Questions with Explanations) 生産管理3級 (ビジネス・キャリア®検定試験 過去問題集(解説付き))
This book contains a total of 100 questions that have appeared in past exams: 50 for Production Control Planning, and 50 for Production Control Operation.
Understanding Levels of Skills Aptitude Test
Aptitude tests in Japan are classified into three (3) levels:
- Level 1 (highest, hardest)
- Level 2
- Level 3 (lowest, easiest)
If you were a former technical intern trainee, the first aptitude test that you took before your first year was over was the Basic Level, which is lower than the normal Level 3 that Japanese workers take.
You probably took the Level 3 test before your three years of training was over, and Level 2 before your 5 years of training was over (if you had an extension of two years).
Required Japanese Language Skill
There is no Japanese language skill test (like JLPT) required for SSW2 visa application.
However, to understand and answer the questions of the Skills Aptitude Test, the prospective SSW2 applicant should have the language level of JLPT N2.
If you only have JPLT N3, you might still be able to understand the test provided that you have knowledge of around 2,000 characters of the Joyo Kanji, and be able to memorize the technical vocabulary.
For reference: 製造分野特定技能2号評価試験