EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency
STEP (the Society for Testing English Proficiency) is a Japanese non-profit organization backed by the Japanese Ministry of Education that runs the EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency, often called EIKEN, STEP EIKEN or the STEP Test. EIKEN is the most widely-used English-language testing program in Japan.
The EIKEN framework comprises seven levels, given on a pass-or-fail basis. The levels are known as grades. The lower grades assess the reception skills listening and reading, while the higher grades additionally assess the production skills speaking and writing.
EIKEN grades may be aligned with the Common European Framework.
More information may be found on the official EIKEN website.