Kanagawa Entrance Japanese exam-day guide
Kanagawa Entrance Japanese · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
受験票 (admission slip / exam voucher)
The single most important item. Print it if the provider requires a paper copy; keep it in the same folder as your ID so you cannot forget one without noticing the other. Check the venue address and reporting time printed on it the night before. If your voucher has not arrived or you lost it, confirm with the provider immediately about reissue - do not simply show up without it.
Photo identification
Bring the exact ID type the provider specifies (for many Japanese exams this is a 写真付き身分証明書 such as a residence card, passport, or driver's license). Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a copy is sufficient - assume originals only unless told otherwise.
Writing implements (pencil and eraser)
Mark-sheet exams in Japan typically require a pencil (HB or the grade specified on the voucher) and a clean eraser; mechanical pencils and pens may be restricted. Sharpen two or three pencils the night before and carry a spare eraser. Confirm the permitted pencil grade with the provider.
Analogue watch (no smart functions)
Many venues have no visible clock, and phones must be powered off and stored. A simple wristwatch lets you pace the reading and listening sections. Smartwatches and any device with communication or storage functions are almost always banned - leave them at home or in your bag switched off.
Venue directions and travel plan
Write down the station exit, the walking route, and the building name in advance. Japanese campuses and test centres can be large and the room assignment may only be posted on-site. Plan to arrive well before the reporting time; lateness rules are strict and are usually not negotiable.
Lunch, water, and a light snack
If the schedule spans a lunch break, bring something that does not require preparation and eat it quietly. Confirm with the provider whether eating inside the test room is allowed or whether there is a designated area.
Shoes you can remove easily
Some Japanese venues use 上履き (indoor shoes) or require shoes off at the entrance. Slip-on shoes save time and stress. Confirm the venue's policy with the provider if it is not stated on the voucher.
Layerable clothing
Room temperature is outside your control. A cardigan or jacket you can take off keeps you comfortable without distracting others. Avoid noisy accessories and strong fragrance.
Phone powered off and bag packed the night before
Pack the bag the evening before with voucher, ID, pencils, eraser, watch, and tissues. Power the phone fully off (not silent mode) before entering the building, and keep it in your bag - not in a pocket - during the test.
Confirmed scoring and result-notification method
Before exam day, know how and when results are released and whether you need to keep any receipt or number. Confirm with the provider if this is unclear.
Plan the day
Re-read the voucher: venue, reporting time, permitted items, and any ban on devices. Rehearse the route once on a map and note the exit and walking time. Do one full timed practice run of the reading section under exam conditions, then stop adding new material - the last three days are for consolidation, not new grammar. Sleep on a normal schedule starting now so the morning-of wake-up is not a shock.
Review your own error log rather than a textbook from page one. Focus on the question types where you lose the most points (for example, ordering/insertion questions or long reading passages) and practise the specific technique for each. Prepare the physical kit: pencils sharpened, eraser clean, watch working, clothing chosen. Check the weather forecast for the venue area.
Confirm the reporting time and set two alarms. Charge nothing you cannot bring - instead power the phone off and leave it out of the test bag. Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy caffeine after midday, and do only light review (vocabulary lists, your error log). Lay out voucher, ID, pencils, eraser, watch, and lunch by the door. Decide the exact train you will take and add a buffer of at least 20–30 minutes.
Eat breakfast even if you are nervous. Take the planned train, arrive early, and use the waiting time for quiet vocabulary review only - no new practice questions, which can shake confidence. Follow staff instructions for room entry and seating. Use the restroom before the test begins, since breaks may be limited.
Read the instructions for each section before the clock starts and note the per-section time. If a question stalls you, mark it and move on; return only if time allows. For mark-sheet answers, transfer answers in blocks and check numbering alignment, especially after skipping. For listening, look at the answer options before the audio starts and do not stop listening to write. If you finish early, re-check that every answer line is filled and that no stray marks remain.
Do not compare answers in the corridor - it changes nothing and raises anxiety. Note which sections felt weak while the memory is fresh, in case you retake. Confirm with the provider how and when results are published, and keep your voucher until results are confirmed.
Rules to check
Bring the admission slip and the exact ID the provider requires; if either is missing or the name does not match, entry may be refused. Confirm the provider's policy on missing documents in advance rather than on the day.
Arrive by the reporting time. Late arrivals are commonly not admitted once the test has started, and this is usually enforced strictly - confirm the provider's cut-off rule.
Phones, smartwatches, and any device that can store or transmit data must be powered off and stored as instructed. A device that rings or vibrates during the test may lead to invalidation; confirm the provider's rule.
Do not look at another candidate's paper, do not pass anything between desks, and do not talk during the test. Follow invigilator instructions immediately; disputes are handled after the test, not in the room.
Breaks are usually limited and may be announced rather than chosen. Leave the room only during designated breaks and return by the stated time; confirm with the provider whether water is permitted at the desk.
Mark answers only on the official answer sheet, using the specified pencil, and erase changes completely. Answers written in the question booklet or in pen may not be scored - confirm the provider's marking rules.
Scoring and result notification follow the provider's published schedule; do not assume results are available immediately. Confirm with the provider how results are delivered and whether a score report must be retained.
If you feel unwell or need to leave the room, raise your hand and speak to the invigilator. Do not leave the building without notifying staff, and confirm with the provider whether a missed section can be made up (usually it cannot).