Hokkaido Entrance Social Studies exam-day guide
Hokkaido Entrance Social Studies · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
受験票 (examination voucher/admission ticket)
Most Japanese entrance exams require the school-issued 受験票 with your photo and examinee number. Print or obtain it in advance and check the photo and number. Exact issuance method (mail vs. online download) differs by school - confirm with the provider.
筆記用具 (pencils, eraser, sharpener)
Bring several sharpened HB pencils, a clean eraser, and a pencil sharpener. Many Japanese exam venues specify pencil (not mechanical pencil or pen) for mark-sheet answers. Confirm the allowed writing implements and any ban on mechanical pencils with the provider.
時計 (wristwatch, non-smart)
Walls may lack a visible clock. Bring a simple analog or digital wristwatch. Smartwatches and watches with alarms/communication functions are typically prohibited; disable alarms before entering.
上履き and 靴袋 (indoor shoes and shoe bag)
Hokkaido schools often require you to change from outdoor shoes to 上履き (uwabaki) at the entrance, especially in winter. Bring clean indoor shoes and a bag for your outdoor shoes. Confirm whether the school provides slippers or requires you to bring your own.
防寒対策 (winter clothing, warm layers)
Hokkaido February exams can be very cold, and venues may be under-heated or drafty. Wear layers you can remove, and bring gloves, a scarf, and a warm coat for the commute. Confirm whether a coat may be worn or hung during the exam.
写真付き身分証明書 (photo ID)
Some schools check photo ID at the door. Bring your student ID or another photo ID as backup. The exact ID requirement varies - confirm with the provider.
現金 and IC card (fares, small cash)
Carry enough cash for transport, a possible taxi if trains are delayed, and vending machines. Keep small bills and coins. Keep your IC card charged the night before.
携帯電話 (mobile phone) - powered off and stowed
Phones are usually allowed only if switched fully off and kept in your bag as instructed. An alarm ringing or a phone in your pocket can lead to disqualification. Confirm the school's exact phone policy with the provider.
昼食 and 飲み物 (lunch and drink)
Some schools have no nearby shops or allow no leaving the campus between sessions. Bring a compact lunch and a drink. Confirm whether eating in the exam room is permitted.
交通経路と時刻の確認 (route and timetable check)
Rehearse the route to the venue beforehand, note alternate routes for delays, and plan to arrive with margin (often 30–45 minutes early). Confirm the school's recommended arrival time with the provider.
体調管理 (health and sleep)
Avoid last-minute all-nighters; sleep on a regular schedule in the final days. Bring tissues and any permitted medication. Confirm the school's rules on bringing medicine and on reporting illness at the venue.
学校固有の指示の再確認 (re-check school-specific instructions)
Re-read the school's 受験上の注意 (exam instructions) for that specific school: permitted items, seating, break rules, and whether parents may wait on campus. Details differ by school - confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new material to consolidating: review past papers and error notes for social studies (geography, history, civics) and re-check the school's exam subject structure and time allocation. Prepare and pack the checklist items, print the 受験票, and rehearse the route and timetable. Protect sleep.
Confirm the venue, departure time, and alternate routes. Lay out clothes, 上履き, writing implements, watch, ID, and cash the night before. Check the weather forecast for snow or delays. Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy caffeine, and go to bed at a normal hour. Do not cram new topics.
Eat breakfast, leave with margin, and arrive early. Switch your phone fully off before entering the building. At the venue, follow staff directions for seating and check that your 受験票 and writing implements are on the desk. Use the restroom before the start; breaks may be short.
Read the instructions and check the number of pages and time limit. In social studies, budget time by section, answer easy items first, and leave time to transfer answers to the mark sheet correctly. If you are unsure of a fact, eliminate options and move on rather than stalling. Watch the clock and stop writing immediately when told.
Rules to check
Bring your 受験票 and any required photo ID; you may be refused entry without them. Confirm the exact ID and voucher requirements with the provider.
Follow all instructions from exam staff. Talking, passing items, or looking at another candidate's paper may lead to disqualification.
Phones and smart devices must be switched fully off and stowed as instructed; an alarm or a device in your pocket can lead to disqualification. Confirm the school's exact device policy with the provider.
Writing implements and permitted items are specified by each school; using prohibited items (for example, a mechanical pencil where pencils are required) may be treated as a rule violation. Confirm the list with the provider.
Stay in your seat during the exam. Leaving the room mid-test is usually only allowed with staff permission, and break-time movement rules vary by school - confirm with the provider.
Stop writing immediately at the end of each section. Continuing to write after the signal can invalidate your answers.
Scoring and subject weighting are set by each school; do not assume a uniform pass mark. Check the school's published selection method and weighting with the provider.
If you feel unwell or need to leave, raise your hand and tell the staff immediately rather than waiting; procedures for illness differ by venue - confirm with the provider.