Hiroshima Entrance Science

Hiroshima University General Entrance Examination - Science (Hiroshima Entrance Science)

More study resources

About this exam

Hiroshima University's general entrance examination in science is the subject component of the university's own undergraduate admissions process, taken by applicants to science-oriented faculties and by others who must submit science results. It is a university-specific exam, not a national or international certification: it is written and scored by Hiroshima University, and the university publishes the current year's subjects, question counts, and time allocations in its official application guidelines (募集要項) and on its admissions website. Candidates should treat those documents, not third-party summaries, as authoritative.

The science paper spans mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and earth and environmental science, with a marked emphasis on mathematics and on the two sciences an applicant selects. Questions mix multiple choice, short factual answers, and longer written responses in which the reasoning and the calculation steps carry marks, not only the final value. Scientific reasoning and data interpretation run through the whole paper: reading a graph, judging whether a conclusion follows from the data, and expressing an argument precisely.

Preparation works best as a long build. Secure the standard upper-secondary syllabus first, then drill past papers under timed conditions, then review errors by topic rather than by paper. Written answers improve fastest when marked against model solutions and rewritten. Confirm subject requirements, elective choices, and any combined-subject rules directly with the university before finalising your application.

What you'll study

Common questions

About Hiroshima Entrance Science preparation

What is the format of the Hiroshima University science entrance examination?

Expect a mixture of multiple choice, short-answer items, and longer written responses requiring working and explanation. The exact subject structure, question counts, and time limits change by year and by faculty, so check the current application guidelines (募集要項) on Hiroshima University's official admissions site rather than relying on older accounts.

How difficult is the exam?

It is a selective university-specific paper, so it assumes solid command of the full upper-secondary syllabus and tests application rather than recall. Written items are the usual differentiator: candidates who can set out a clear derivation score better than those who only produce a final number. Difficulty varies by subject and year.

Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?

Hiroshima University sets its own rules on repeat application and on eligibility, including the treatment of previous enrolment at another university. These rules are revised periodically. Read the current applicant eligibility section of the official guidelines, or ask the admissions office directly, before planning a second attempt.

How should I manage time during the paper?

Divide the allotted time by the marks each section carries, not by the number of questions, and leave a fixed block for written answers, which take longer than they look. Do a first pass on short items, then return to derivations. Practise with a clock so the split becomes automatic before exam day.

In what order should I study the science subjects?

Finish the standard syllabus in your required subjects first, since written questions assume fluency rather than exposure. Then work past papers by topic to expose gaps, and only afterwards attempt full timed papers. Keep mathematics running throughout, because it underpins physics and chemistry calculations and decays quickly without practice.

What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?

Unsupported answers top the list: a correct value with no working or justification earns partial credit at best. Others are misreading what a graph's axes represent, ignoring significant figures and units, and running out of time on written items. Careless notation in chemical equations and unbalanced forces in mechanics are also frequent.

Does the exam test material outside the standard curriculum?

The paper is built on the upper-secondary syllabus, but written and data-interpretation items may combine topics or present unfamiliar contexts that require applying familiar principles. That is a test of transfer, not of extra content. Breadth beyond the syllabus is less useful than depth within it.

Where can I find the current exam dates, subjects, and fees?

Hiroshima University publishes the current application guidelines, subject requirements, schedule, and fee information on its official admissions website each year. Those figures change, so this page does not restate them. Always confirm against the current-year guidelines before submitting an application.

How should I use past papers?

Treat the first few as diagnostics, done untimed, to find weak topics. Then work topic by topic with a reference open. Save the last several for full timed simulations under exam conditions. After each, rewrite every written answer against a model solution and log recurring errors so revision targets them.