The "University Admission Common Test" is the first to be held in place of the National Center Test for University Admissions, which has continued for about 30 years.
At high schools in Tokyo, we are taking strict precautions against infection by switching to online classes and expanding our study rooms.
Of these, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Hakuho Junior and Senior High School in Taito-ku, Tokyo, all classes for third-year high school students are switched online from the end of winter vacation before the common test begins on the 16th of this month.
In a class for about 20 students who take the "modern society" in a common test, teachers deliver it from an empty classroom, ask questions about social issues and economic fluctuations, and it is easy to make a mistake after understanding the degree of understanding. I explained the points and proceeded with the test measures.
Professor Hitoshi Ikeda said, "To avoid the risk of infection, the students are taking online lessons. I know that the students have worked hard, so I would like to cheer them up face-to-face, but I support them even if they are away. I want you to do your best. "
In addition, at Tokyo Metropolitan Nishi High School in Suginami-ku, Tokyo, we are expanding our self-study space while thoroughly implementing infection control measures for examinees.
At school, I had finished my third year of high school classes by last week, and this week I am entering a voluntary school attendance period in preparation for studying for entrance exams, but this time I will be dispersed from the cram school and preparatory school study rooms and come to school for self-study There are not a few students.
At the school, in addition to the classrooms, the conference room on the same site and the dining room after school are also open, and after taking measures against infection such as partitioning with acrylic boards, the self-study space is expanded, and about 3 or 4 people in each classroom. The third grader was solving a collection of problems and taking measures for a common test.
In the corner of the corridor, preparation prints made by teachers were placed every day in preparation for the first common test, which the students used.
A boy in the third year of high school said, "At home, I can't keep my concentration, and at school I'm also studying with my classmates, so it's inspiring. It was difficult to solve, so I'm focusing on measures now. "
In addition, the girl student said, "Although the cram school is also taking measures against infection, I came to self-study because there are fewer people at school and I can ask questions to the teacher immediately. I am very worried about what kind of problems will occur. I'm afraid that Corona will affect my exams, but all I can do is thoroughly study infection control, so I'll continue to do my best. "
Satoshi Hagiwara, Principal of Tokyo Metropolitan Nishi High School, said, "This time, the introduction of private English exams and descriptive formulas in mathematics and Japanese was postponed, and how much thinking and judgment became a question, look at the problem on the day. I don't know without it. I didn't know what the content of the test would be, and the environment changed due to the spread of infection, etc., and the world was moving in a mess, but I believed that we had come and took the test. I want you to do your best so that you can demonstrate it. "
Unusual response at the test site
As the area covered by the state of emergency expands, unusual measures are being taken at the examination venues that accept examinees.
At the National Center for University Entrance Examinations, which conducts common tests,
the seats of the examinees should be separated by about 1 meter, and ventilation should be thoroughly provided after each subject.
▼ Doctors who respond to sudden illness
We are seeking infection control measures such as
the placement of nurses and
the securing of a separate room for asymptomatic
close
contacts
.
Of these, Tokyo Gakugei University in Koganei City, Tokyo, where about 2,500 people take the exam, has been securing a large amount of alcohol disinfectant, masks, face shields, etc.
To deal with asymptomatic close contact examinees, we set up a building near the main gate away from the general examinee's venue, set up an acrylic board in front of the examiner's seat, and set the space between seats. We are preparing for acceptance, such as opening about 2 meters.
In addition, at the National University of Fukui, from the 5th of this month after the winter vacation to the day of the common test, in order to prevent the facilities used for the test from becoming unusable due to disinfection due to infection of students and faculty and staff, and the vacancy of the test director. As a general rule, all classes are remote, and maximum infection control measures are taken at various venues so that the efforts of the students will be rewarded.
How will it change? Preparatory school also takes measures
Instead of the National Center Test for University Admissions, the "University Admission Common Test" was held for the first time, and it is said to be the "first year of admission reform".
The prep school also analyzes and takes measures to see how it will change.
The "University Entrance Examination" is a discussion of university entrance examination reform so that children living in a society called "an era without answers" can develop the necessary skills due to technological innovation such as globalization and AI. The introduction was decided in.
Initially, the use of private English exams, which was planned as a pillar of reform, and the introduction of descriptive questions in Japanese and mathematics were both postponed, and the mark sheet method was maintained, but thinking and judgment were more important. You will be asked for your ability to think for yourself rather than focusing on knowledge.
Under these circumstances, Kawai Juku, a major preparatory school, analyzed the trial surveys of common tests conducted by the National Center for University Entrance Examinations in 2017 and 2018, and then created mock exams in Japanese, mathematics, and English to take measures. It was.
According to the person in charge, changes are expected especially in English, so in the "reading" of the trial survey, multiple materials such as sentences and figures were shown, and when comparing the amount of words used with the center test, It is said that it was about 20% more.
After reflecting these tendencies in my own mock exams, in English I read the material that shows the career of a historical person in English, and if I would like to announce about that person, from the English text of the choices to convey Includes questions to answer.
Also in mathematics, it shows problems such as deriving calculation formulas from conversations of two people who talk about multiplication tables, and it is assumed that the ability to read multiple materials and dialogue contents will be tested in a limited time. It is said to be doing.
This mock exam was conducted free of charge assuming a new entrance exam, and about 60,000 people from all over the country participated, but about 70% answered that they did not have enough time.
Masaya Tsuruta, the director of Kawaijuku Shinjuku School, said, "As in the past, basic academic ability is required, but in the midst of entrance exams that require thinking and judgment, you can think more and come up with answers, and where in many materials. I think it's important to decide whether to focus and use time effectively. "
“Take it as a great opportunity to test your strength”
Regarding the university entrance examination common test that begins with the state of emergency, Hiroshi Kobayashi, director of Recruit Advancement Research Institute, who was familiar with the entrance examination and also served as a national committee member, said, "The introduction of new tests is globalization, technological innovation, and this time. In the midst of major changes in society like the new virus, the background is that we need the ability to think and express ourselves rather than the amount of knowledge. The answer is 1 to utilize knowledge to respond to the real world. You are required to find a solution to a problem that is not connected. "
He said to the students of this year, "I think there were various difficulties such as school closures and being unable to attend club activities and competitions. There is a time when there is no answer. I think that this new test will also change for young people who will survive in 2030 and 2040, so I would like you to see it as a great opportunity to test your strength. " ..