Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > Japanese Government Policies in Education, Science, Sports and Culture 2000 > Trends in Educational Reform Section 2 Q10

Although I am sure university entrance examinations are diversifying, what will they be like in the future?

Improvements on programs have been carried out in the selection of university entrants directed at making versatile judgments on the capabilities, appropriateness and other qualities of students taking entrance examinations in order to realize a better mutual selection between university applicants and universities. It is thought that further improvements to selection of entrants will proceed in this direction in the future.

In light of changes in social conditions, such as dwindling birthrates and an upturn in the university entrance ratio, as well as the diversification of upper secondary education and other phenomena, improvements to programs are being carried out directed at making versatile judgments on the capabilities, appropriateness and other qualities of students taking entrance examinations.

For example, the implementation of interviews, essays, practical tests and listening tests as well as the introduction of special selection methods for adult students, children returning from overseas, and other student categories, are being promoted in addition to scholastic tests. Furthermore, there has also been a rapid increase in the number of universities introducing admission office (AO) entrance examinations. Based on externally disclosed administration policies conforming to individual characteristic educational principles of each university, without relying excessively on scholastic tests, AOs comprehensively assess the capabilities, appropriateness and other qualities of students taking the entrance examinations through diverse application forms, thorough interviews and other processes.

In this way, as regards the future selection of entrants to university, making mutual decisions based on clear reciprocal understanding between the university applicant and the university is essential. Universities are urged to actively distribute university information, including their admissions policies, as well as promote approaches to diversifying the methods and multiplying the scale of evaluating entrant selection.

Number of Universities That Have Implemented the Admission Office Entrance Examination