Saitama Public High School Entrance Examination - English
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Saitama Public High School Entrance Examination - English (埼玉県公立高等学校入学者選抜 英語) is the English component of the prefectural admission selection used by Saitama's public high schools to place graduating junior high students. It is a school-admission test, not a language certificate: the score feeds into each school's selection alongside other subjects, interview, and school-specific criteria. Candidates are third-year junior high students, and the English paper assumes roughly three years of Japanese junior high English study.
The paper tests all four skills. Listening is delivered as a separate recorded component; reading spans short dialogues through longer passages and multi-source information retrieval; grammar and vocabulary appear in context rather than as isolated items; and writing has two faces - a conditioned composition task and short functional writing such as messages or replies. Difficulty is calibrated to junior high completion level, but the reading volume and the writing tasks reward speed and structure over isolated knowledge.
Preparation should be cumulative. Build vocabulary and core sentence patterns first, then practise reading longer passages under time pressure, then rehearse the writing formats so the required conditions are met automatically. Listening improves with short daily exposure rather than last-minute cramming. Confirm current question composition, timing, and any announced changes with the Saitama Prefectural Board of Education, which publishes the authoritative details for each examination year.
What you'll study
About Saitama Public High School Entrance Examination - English preparation
Who takes this exam, and what is it used for?
Third-year junior high students applying to Saitama prefectural public high schools. The English score is one input into each school's selection, combined with other subjects and school-specific components. It is not a standalone English qualification, so a strong score alone does not guarantee admission.
How long is the English paper, and how many questions are there?
The Saitama Prefectural Board of Education publishes the current time allocation and question composition for each examination year, and these can change. Check its official site and your school's guidance for the applicable year rather than relying on older past papers.
Is there a listening section, and how is it delivered?
Yes, listening is part of the English paper. Delivery method and conditions are set by the prefecture for each year, so confirm the current arrangement through official announcements. Practise listening to natural-speed English in short daily sessions; last-minute cramming does not build listening stamina.
How difficult is the English paper compared with regular school tests?
Content stays within junior high English, but the reading passages are longer and the writing tasks impose conditions. The challenge is pace and organisation, not obscure grammar. Students who read fluently and can structure a short English paragraph usually find it manageable.
Can I retake the exam if I do not do well?
Retake and reapplication rules are set by the prefecture and vary by year and by selection round. The Saitama Prefectural Board of Education publishes the current policy. Ask your junior high school's guidance teacher early, because deadlines for any subsequent selection are tight.
What should I study first?
Start with vocabulary and core sentence patterns, since they underlie every section. Then add timed reading of longer passages, and finally rehearse the writing formats. Listening should run in parallel from the beginning in short daily blocks rather than being left to the final weeks.
How should I prepare for the composition task?
Learn the typical conditions - a set number of words, given points to include, and a clear reason or example. Practise planning for one minute, writing, then checking word count and tense. Keep sentences short and correct; examiners reward clear, accurate English over ambitious but broken structures.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Running out of time on the long reading passages, writing compositions that ignore the stated conditions or word count, leaving functional writing tasks blank, and losing easy grammar marks through careless tense and agreement errors. Practise full papers under time pressure to expose these habits before the real exam.
Where can I find official information about the exam?
The Saitama Prefectural Board of Education publishes entrance selection guidelines, schedules, and announcements for each year. Your junior high school also distributes application guidance. Use those sources for dates, format, and any announced changes; this page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the prefecture.