BEC JCE English flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

JCE administering body

The Japan Statistical Society administers the JCE with cooperation from MEXT, setting exam dates, levels, fees, and pass standards for both Grade Pre-2 and Grade 2.

JCE exam frequency

The JCE is held twice per year, typically in June and November, with application windows opening a few months before each scheduled test date.

JCE registration channel

Candidates apply online through the JSS JCE portal, where they choose exam level, test site, and payment method before the application deadline closes.

Exam fee refund rule

Fees vary by level and applicant category, and are not refunded once the application deadline has passed, even if the candidate does not attend.

Answer sheet format

Candidates record answers on a machine-readable mark-sense sheet using pencil, and the completed sheets are scored automatically against the official answer key.

Result announcement timing

Results appear online about one month after the exam, and official pass certificates are mailed to candidates who meet the cut score.

Special accommodation request

Extra time or enlarged print must be requested before the application deadline with supporting documentation, and approval is decided by the administering society.

Score reporting format

Candidates receive a pass/fail decision plus a score report; the passing threshold is set per level and revised periodically by the Japan Statistical Society.

Report structure order

A statistical report presents purpose, data source, analysis method, results, and conclusion in that sequence so readers can follow and verify the reasoning.

Table and figure notes

Each table or figure carries a number, title, and note stating units, sample size, and data source, making the display self-explanatory.

Percentage denominator rule

A reported percentage must state its base or denominator, because the same count yields very different percentages depending on the total.

Rounding in reports

Round only final reported values to the precision of the measurement, and keep full precision during intermediate calculations to avoid accumulated error.

Correlation versus causation

Observational data can show association but not cause; a report must not claim one variable causes another without experimental or strong design evidence.

Uncertainty reporting

Point estimates should be accompanied by confidence intervals or standard errors whenever sampling variability affects the interpretation of the reported result.

Fact versus interpretation

Reports separate observed data from the author's inference, using distinct wording so readers can tell measurement from judgment.

Bar chart baseline

Bar charts require a zero baseline and labeled axes with units; a truncated axis exaggerates differences and distorts comparison.

Source citation purpose

Citing data sources and methods lets readers reproduce the analysis and judge its validity; unattributed figures are a reporting defect.

Cut score meaning

The cut score is the total-score threshold set by the JSS for each level; candidates at or above it pass, and unanswered items earn no credit.

Item difficulty index

Difficulty is the proportion of candidates answering an item correctly; moderate values, roughly 0.3 to 0.8, give the most useful information.

Item discrimination index

Discrimination measures how well an item separates high scorers from low scorers; a positive value means stronger candidates answered it correctly more often.

Score equating purpose

Equating adjusts scores across June and November administrations so that the pass standard stays comparable despite differences in test difficulty.

Cohort summary statistics

Official reports summarize cohort performance with mean, standard deviation, and score distribution, helping interpret the cut score in context.

Statistical literacy target

Assessment targets the ability to read data, choose appropriate methods, interpret results, and judge the validity of statistical claims.

Candidate feedback limits

Candidates receive only pass/fail and a score; individual item responses and answer keys are not disclosed after the examination.

Fairness item review

Before publication, items are screened for bias in wording, context, and required background knowledge so that no group is unfairly disadvantaged.

Pre-2 syllabus scope

Grade Pre-2 covers data description, basic probability, and elementary statistical inference at an introductory level suited to general statistical literacy.

Grade 2 syllabus scope

Grade 2 extends to sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis, requiring deeper methodological understanding than Pre-2.

Descriptive statistics topics

The syllabus includes mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation, and quartiles as core tools for summarizing data sets.

Data visualization topics

The syllabus covers histograms, box plots, and scatter plots, emphasizing correct construction and interpretation of each display.

Probability syllabus topics

Core probability topics include conditional probability, independence, and the normal distribution, forming the basis for later inference questions.

Inference syllabus topics

The syllabus covers confidence intervals and the logic of hypothesis testing, including null and alternative hypotheses and interpretation of p-values.

Regression syllabus topics

Association and regression topics include the correlation coefficient, the least squares line, and the coefficient of determination as measures of fit.