Hokkaido Entrance English

It is a written, paper-based test set by the university itself, combining long reading passages with free-response tasks: English-to-Japanese translation, short English composition or summary writing, and grammatical or vocabulary items. Answers are written by hand, so clear handwriting and organized layout matter. The university publishes the current subject structure and schedule on its official admissions site.

It is generally regarded as demanding because the passages are long and the writing load is heavy, not because the vocabulary is obscure. Candidates who can read an argumentative text quickly and then express its main point in accurate Japanese and simple, correct English are at a clear advantage over those who have only drilled multiple-choice items.

There is no limit on sitting the entrance examination in a later year, but the university sets the rules for each admission cycle, including whether different selection rounds exist and what documents are required. Confirm the retake and eligibility conditions for your target year on the official admissions website rather than relying on second-hand information.

Decide in advance how many minutes you will give each section and keep to it. Read the questions before the passage so you know what to look for, answer the translation items while the relevant sentences are fresh, and leave protected time for the composition. Practising with a timer is the only reliable way to find a pace that works for you.

Build reading speed and vocabulary first, since every other task depends on understanding the text. Then add translation practice, comparing your Japanese with model answers to notice where you lose nuance. Composition comes next, starting with summaries of passages you have read. Grammar and vocabulary drills should run alongside throughout, not as a separate final phase.

The most common causes are translating word by word, ignoring the context of the paragraph, and producing Japanese that is grammatically correct but unnatural. Examiners reward a rendering that conveys the writer's meaning and logical relations. Practise identifying what pronouns refer to and how clauses connect before you start writing the Japanese sentence.

A clear main claim, two or three supporting reasons, and explicit connectors between them. Accuracy matters more than ambitious vocabulary: simple sentences used correctly score better than complex ones that collapse. Read the prompt twice to check whether it asks for an opinion, a summary, or a description, and keep to the requested length.

The university typically makes past examination questions available, and many school and bookstore publications collect them with commentary. Use official material where possible so the style and difficulty match the real test. This page does not reproduce past questions; it is an independent guide, and the official admissions site is the authoritative source for materials and announcements.

The general entrance English examination is written and paper-based, so preparation should focus on reading and writing. Some admission routes or departments may involve interviews or other components, and those requirements differ by faculty. Check the guidelines for the specific faculty and selection type you are applying to on the official site.