Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination - Mathematics exam-day guide
Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination - Mathematics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
受験票 (admission slip / 受検票)
Most important item. Check your name, 受検番号 (examinee number), school and date printed on it. Keep it in a rigid plastic folder so it does not crease. If you lose it before the exam, contact the school or the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education office handling the exam immediately - do not simply arrive without it and assume you will be let in.
筆記用具 (pencils, eraser, sharpener)
Bring several sharpened HB or B pencils (at least 3–4), a clean eraser, and a small sharpener. Mathematics needs pencil work for calculations and diagrams; a mechanical pencil is usually acceptable but confirm with your school which writing tools are permitted. No electronic dictionaries, calculators, or smart devices.
時計 (wristwatch, no smart functions)
A simple analogue or digital wristwatch is essential for pacing the 50-minute math paper. Smartwatches and watch functions on phones are not allowed. Check the battery/operation the night before.
上履き and 靴袋 (indoor shoes and shoe bag)
Many Tokyo metropolitan high schools require you to change into indoor shoes (上履き) at the entrance. Bring clean indoor shoes and a bag for your outdoor shoes. Confirm the exact requirement for your assigned school - some schools specify slippers or allow socks only.
昼食 (lunch)
The exam day includes a lunch break. Bring a packed lunch and a drink that does not need refrigeration and is easy to eat quietly. Avoid noisy packaging. Confirm whether eating in the classroom is permitted at your school.
現金 (small amount, in coins)
For public transport, vending machines, or an emergency. Keep coins for a fare adjustment or a public phone if needed. Do not carry large amounts.
公共交通の経路と時刻の確認 (route and timetable check)
Plan to arrive at the school gate at least 20–30 minutes before the reporting time. Check for planned train delays or line disruptions the day before and the morning of. Have a backup route in mind.
服装 (clothing)
Wear your current junior high school uniform unless your school instructs otherwise, or neat plain clothes if uniforms are not used. Dress in layers so you can adjust to room temperature. Avoid noisy accessories.
健康管理グッズ (health items)
Bring tissues, a mask if you prefer, and any medicine you are permitted to take. If you have a medical condition or need special accommodation (e.g., extra time, a larger desk), this must be arranged with the school well in advance - confirm with the provider, as procedures and deadlines are set by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education.
当日の注意事項の最終確認 (final check of day-of instructions)
Re-read the guidance sheet distributed by your junior high school or the exam notice for your assigned school: reporting time, room assignment, prohibited items, and break rules. Policies differ by year and school - confirm with the provider rather than relying on memory or hearsay.
スマートフォン・携帯電話の扱い (phone handling)
Phones must be switched off (not just silent) and stored out of reach, typically in your bag, per the instructions given on the day. Do not keep a phone in your pocket. Confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Plan the day
Finalize logistics: confirm the assigned school, reporting time, and route with your junior high school teacher. Do one full past-paper math session under timed conditions (50 minutes, no breaks) and mark it strictly. List your three weakest topic areas (e.g., functions, geometry proof, data interpretation) and do focused review only on those - do not start new material. Prepare and pack the checklist items into a single bag.
Review formula and method summaries rather than solving long problems: quadratic factoring, the relationship between a function and its graph, properties of parallel lines and angles, congruence and similarity conditions, the Pythagorean theorem, circle-angle facts, and how to read tables and graphs. Rehearse the structure of a geometry proof (what is given, what must be shown, which condition you will use).
Light review only: re-read your error notebook and the day-of guidance sheet. Lay out uniform, 受検票, pencils, watch, indoor shoes, and lunch by the door. Check the weather and train information. Set two alarms. Go to bed at a normal time - do not study late. Confirm the reporting time and arrival plan once more.
Eat a normal breakfast. Leave with enough margin to arrive 20–30 minutes before reporting time. At the school, follow staff instructions, change shoes, and go to your assigned room. Use the time before the paper starts to set out pencils and eraser and to breathe steadily - do not discuss answers or compare preparation with others.
First read the whole paper quickly and mark easy questions. Work in order of confidence, not strictly in page order. For each question, write the given values and what is asked before calculating. On geometry, draw or redraw the figure and mark equal angles and lengths. On proofs, state the condition you are using explicitly. Watch the clock: leave about 10 minutes to check answers, units, and whether you answered every part. If stuck, write what you know - partial working can earn partial credit depending on the marking scheme. Do not spend more than a few minutes on any single item on the first pass.
Do not linger on the math paper or check answers with friends - later subjects still count. Eat lunch calmly, rest your eyes, and prepare for the next subject. Keep your 受検票 until results are announced, and follow your school's instructions about score disclosure and the next stage (interview, essay, or practical test if applicable).
Rules to check
Bring your 受検票 (admission slip) and place it on the desk as instructed. You will generally not be admitted without it; if it is lost or forgotten, contact the school or the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education immediately - confirm the exact procedure with the provider, as exceptions are not guaranteed.
Follow all instructions from the invigilators (監督員). Do not begin writing before the start signal and stop immediately at the end signal. Writing after time is called can lead to your paper being invalidated.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must be switched off and stored as instructed. Using or even holding a device during the exam is treated as cheating and can invalidate your results.
Do not bring reference materials, calculators, or notes into the exam room. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, ask your junior high school teacher beforehand or confirm with the provider.
Breaks (including the lunch break) are part of the exam day: remain in designated areas, keep noise down, and do not leave the school without permission. Movement between rooms and use of toilets are usually guided by staff.
Scoring and admission decisions are made by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education according to its published criteria; the math paper is one component among several (other subjects, and in some cases interview, essay, or practical components). Do not assume a single paper decides the outcome - confirm the weighting and process with the provider.
If you feel unwell during the exam, raise your hand and tell the invigilator rather than leaving the room on your own. Special measures for illness or accidents are handled according to official procedures - confirm the details with the provider.
Academic honesty is absolute: no looking at others' papers, no passing notes, and no communication about content during the exam. Any suspected misconduct is handled under the official rules, which may include invalidation of results.