The 'Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination,' regarded as a gateway for IT engineers, offers a system where candidates who complete a curriculum certified by IPA and pass a 'completion exam' provided or approved by IPA are exempt from taking Subject A of the examination for one year from the date of exemption. Certify has delivered this 'completion exam' and passed IPA's review for 21 consecutive years since its first application in fiscal year 2006.

The Subject A exemption system of the 'Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination' (hereinafter referred to as the FE Subject A Exemption System) allows examinees who complete a course based on an IPA-certified curriculum and pass the 'completion exam' to be exempt from Subject A of the examination for one year.

Originally launched in May 2004 as a special measure under the 'Structural Reform Special Zone,' this system has been expanded nationwide since October 2010 and has been widely adopted by educational institutions and corporations to support the acquisition of the Basic Information Technology Engineer qualification.

Certify's 'completion exam' can be utilized by organizations implementing IPA-certified curricula (including certified courses that leverage private certifications, as described below) until Saturday, July 25, 2026.

[Process of the FE Subject A Exemption System]

1. Application for Certified Course

Courses established to effectively train information technology professionals, certified under METI ordinances.

There are two formats: one covering all 100 items within the course that correspond to the scope of the 'Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination Subject A,' and another replacing part of the curriculum with obtaining a 'private certification' (i.e., certified courses utilizing private exams).

2. Curriculum Application (Course Curriculum)

IPA reviews the materials used and the duration of instruction.

3. Course Schedule Application (Implementation Course)

Specific opening schedules for courses that have received IPA's certification review are submitted to and approved by IPA.

4. Course Implementation

Courses can be conducted within schools or corporations.

5. Application and Administration of Completion Exam

Apply for the 'completion exam' provided or reviewed by IPA.

The 'completion exam' can be administered up to two times per course.

The 'completion exam' can be conducted within schools or corporations.

6. Determination and Reporting of Completion Certification

Grading of the completion exam is conducted by the organization administering the exam.

Those certified as course completers are exempt from Subject A of the 'Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination' for one year.

Regarding the FE Subject A Exemption System, Certify supports in the following ways:

1. Provision of the completion exam

2. Provision of private certifications that exempt curriculum items ※ Passing the 'Information Technology Certification Exam Level 2 Part 1,' hosted by the Certify Information Processing Certification Committee, exempts 78 out of 100 curriculum items (i.e., certified courses utilizing private exams).

By utilizing this system, motivation toward passing the 'Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination'—a gateway to becoming an IT engineer—is expected to increase, accelerating goal-oriented learning and expanding the base of IT professionals.

[Reference URLs]

About the System Exempting Subject A of the Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination (FE)

https://www.ipa.go.jp/shiken/about/menjo-fe.html#gaiyo

Guide to the Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination Subject A Exemption System

https://www.ipa.go.jp/shiken/about/gmcbt800000077l9-att/summary_fe_menjo.pdf

Certify's Response to the Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination Subject A Exemption

https://www.sikaku.gr.jp/js/jss/organization/exemption/

Case Study: Utilization of the Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination Subject A Exemption System

Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Department of Information Engineering

https://youtu.be/whCeN9roIMo

About Certify

Founded in 1983 as the Japan Association for the Promotion of Information Processing Education, Certify has been organizing and operating business qualification and certification exams for 43 years. The total number of examinees across all exams is approximately 3.85 million (as of March 2025), with 2,637 certified test centers nationwide (2024). From a private-sector perspective, Certify provides examinations that serve as benchmarks for acquiring skills demanded in the business field.

Since 2020, Certify has developed and launched a proprietary online examination system excelling in fraud prevention, monitoring, and deterrence. Beyond internal use, this system is being widely adopted as a product called 'Smart Entrance Exam®' for university admissions, corporate recruitment exams, and certification exams by other organizations.

[Company Overview]

Company Name: Certify Inc.

Business Overview: Development and administration of certification exams related to business skills and competencies; development and sale of practice problem sets for administered exams; development and provision of the online examination service 'Smart Entrance Exam®'

Established: June 2001

Headquarters: VORT Nihonbashi-Kayabacho 2-chome, 2-11-8 Nihonbashi-Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Shigeru Takizawa, Representative Director

URL: https://sikaku.gr.jp/

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  • Source: PR TIMES
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