Kanagawa Entrance English exam-day guide
Kanagawa Entrance English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission slip (受験票) and any required photo ID
Bring the admission ticket sent by the exam administrator together with the identification it specifies. The exact ID requirements vary by venue and year, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photo must be attached. Keep both in one clear plastic folder so you can present them without fumbling at the gate.
Writing implements: several sharpened pencils (HB or No. 2) and a good eraser
Most mark-sheet sections are answered with pencil, so bring at least three sharpened pencils and a clean eraser. A small pencil sharpener is useful but may be restricted at some venues; confirm with the provider whether sharpeners and pencil cases may be kept at your desk or must stay in your bag.
Analog wristwatch
Walls clocks may be hard to see and phones must be off, so a simple non-smart analog watch is the safest way to pace yourself. Smartwatches and any device with communication or calculation functions are almost certainly prohibited; confirm with the provider if you are unsure about a particular model.
Printed directions to the venue and the arrival time
Write down the station exit, the walking route, and the gate-opening and reporting times. Arrive with enough margin to find the building and the correct room. If the venue is unfamiliar, do a dry run or check a map the day before.
Lunch, water, and a light snack
Breaks between sections can be short and nearby shops may be crowded. Bring something you can eat quietly and quickly, plus water in a closed bottle. Avoid heavy or unfamiliar food that could make you drowsy in the afternoon.
Layers you can remove or add
Room temperature is unpredictable. Wear or bring a cardigan or jacket you can take off, and choose clothing that lets you sit for long stretches without discomfort. Follow any school-uniform requirement stated on your admission materials.
Review the section order, time limits, and answer-sheet format
Know in advance which sections are listening, reading, or writing, how long each lasts, and whether answers go on a separate mark sheet. This reduces the risk of filling in the wrong column or misjudging the remaining time.
Prepare your listening equipment and a backup plan
If the test uses broadcast or played audio, check with the provider whether you may use your own earphones or must use venue equipment, and whether a volume adjustment is available. If you have a hearing accommodation, confirm that it has been approved in writing before the day.
Confirm prohibited items and bag storage
Phones, smart devices, notes, and dictionaries are normally banned from the desk and must be powered off and stored as instructed. Confirm with the provider where bags are kept and whether you can access them during breaks.
Check your health and transport contingencies
Note the exam-day contact procedure in case of illness or a transport delay, and plan an alternative route. If you are unwell, follow the provider's stated policy rather than deciding on your own whether to attend.
Sleep and a normal breakfast
Do not change your routine drastically the night before. A normal night's sleep and a familiar breakfast are more reliable than last-minute cramming or extra caffeine.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own error notes, key vocabulary, and the format of each section. Do one timed run-through under exam conditions, then spend more time analysing mistakes than doing fresh questions. Prepare your documents and stationery early so the last day is calm.
Recheck the venue, gate-opening time, and route, and confirm any accommodation or transport bookings. If anything on your admission materials is unclear, such as ID rules or permitted equipment, contact the provider now rather than on the morning of the test.
Pack your bag: admission slip, ID, pencils, eraser, watch, directions, lunch, water, and layers. Charge nothing you cannot bring - instead, power down your phone plan mentally and decide where the phone will stay. Do a light review of format and timing only, avoid new material, eat a normal dinner, and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat breakfast, leave earlier than you think necessary, and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Use the wait to review your own summary notes, not to panic over unknown words. Follow staff instructions for seating and for storing bags and devices.
Read the instructions for that section, check how many questions there are, and note the finish time on your watch. Fill in your name and candidate number exactly as instructed before the section begins.
Work at a steady pace and mark any question you cannot solve, then return to it. For mark-sheet answers, check periodically that the question number matches the row you are filling. If a section is going badly, move on; one hard passage should not cost you the easier questions later.
For listening, read the options ahead of the audio where the format allows, and do not stop to agonise over one item. For writing, spend a minute planning, keep to the required length and format, and reserve time to reread for tense, agreement, and spelling errors.
Do not compare answers in a way that shakes your confidence for later sections or future attempts. Note briefly what felt weak so your next study cycle is targeted, and follow the provider's instructions for results and any follow-up procedures.
Rules to check
Bring and display the admission slip and the identification the provider requires. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before the test day; arriving without them may mean you cannot sit the exam.
Follow all instructions from invigilators about seating, starting and stopping, and passing materials. Stop writing immediately when told; continuing after the signal can lead to invalidation of your answers.
Phones and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed, not kept on your desk or person. Using or even handling a device during the test is likely to be treated as misconduct; confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Do not bring notes, textbooks, dictionaries, or any unauthorised aid into the test room. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, ask the provider in advance rather than risk a violation.
Breaks are usually limited and may be supervised. Confirm with the provider whether you may leave the room, access your bag, or eat during breaks, and return to your seat promptly when told.
Scoring and section weighting are set by the provider and may not be published in detail. Do not assume that one section compensates for another; prepare across all sections and confirm the official scoring outline with the provider.
If you feel unwell, need to leave the room, or encounter a problem with your materials, raise your hand and tell an invigilator rather than handling it yourself.
Any accommodation for a disability, hearing difficulty, or medical need must be requested and approved in advance. Confirm the deadline and required documentation with the provider; arrangements cannot usually be made on the day.