The results of the recent survey conducted by Kabaya Foods show significant concerns among students about the Common Entrance Exam, with approximately 65% describing it as challenging. Released on January 20, 2025, the survey highlighted the various difficulties faced by students during their preparations and during the exam itself.
The survey targeted students who recently completed the exam, with 242 participants spread across different locations, emphasizing the collective struggles they encountered. Notably, 24.4% of respondents rated the exam as "very challenging," reflecting deep-seated anxiety about the nature of the questions posed.
According to students, the exam presented numerous obstacles. One participant commented, "The exam was definitely challenging," indicating the overall sentiment among test-takers. Another shared, "I found many questions to be obscure and hard to understand," pointing toward specific difficulties faced during the examination.
Focused not just on academic concerns, the survey also shed light on how students managed their study activities. A staggering 84.4% reported experiencing concentration struggles during preparation, signaling potential issues with study environments or methods used. This finding raises questions about the effectiveness of current educational approaches and how students can be supported.
Examining specific content of the test, 53.7% of respondents confirmed the presence of "difficult problems" which they deemed hard to approach, with examples cited, such as the "hisa structure" question from Japanese language studies. Such unusual and complex queries can leave students perplexed, exacerbated by the pressure surrounding entrance exams.
The survey results reflect not just the students' academic challenges but their emotional responses and the strategies they used to cope with the demands of the exam. These insights can help educators understand the psychological impact of standardized testing and adjust curricula and preparation strategies accordingly.
Overall, this survey has revealed the harsh realities faced by students embarking on the Common Entrance Exam, underscoring the need for actionable improvements to support future test-takers adequately. The educational community would do well to heed these findings as they strive to create environments where all students can succeed.