- Certificate for Students Achieving the Proficiency Level of Upper Secondary School Graduates
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Certificate for Students Achieving the Proficiency Level of Upper Secondary School Graduates (高等学校卒業程度認定試験 Kōtōgakkō Sotsugyōteidoninteishiken) is an examination, taken by individuals who did not graduate upper secondary school(High school). This exam is provided by Lifelong Learning Promotion Division, Lifelong Learning Policy Bureau, MEXT, Japan, started in 2005 as the replacement of the University Entrance Qualification Examination which were held until 2004 in Japan.
University Entrance Qualification Examination has been accepted for many universities in Japan, such as Japan's most prestigious University of Tokyo because MEXT has been encouraging post secondary educations to recognise the certificate. However, it is looked down upon by some employers and universities in the United States and other countries as a lower form of degree than an actual high school diploma. To emphasise that the certificate certifies that they have an academic ability equivalent to graduates of upper secondary school.
Contents
The takers
Individuals who are or will be 16 years old in the year (April to next March) can take this exam. However, those who got the certificate can not enter university until they become 18 years old since the certificate is with the proviso that no qualifications until he or she become 18 years old. In the educational exception 17 years old or elder, and was recognised by the university that he or she has an outstanding skill or talent in certain field of study that the university specified, can enter the university. This exception can be applied for universities only and not for other educational institutions.
Unlike the GED in the United States or Canada, in Japan, the majority taking the exam are truant students, although there are many who didn't go to high school for various reasons. Truancy in students has become one of the most serious problems in Japan often with its roots in bullying and harassment. One truant for every 50 students in elementary school and those approximately 130,000 children who are refusing to go to school, miss an average of 18 months to two years of class, according to the recent study by MEXT. This examination gives them the opportunities to be certified that they have an academic ability equivalent to graduates of high school (upper secondary school) and apply for university and taking any examinations which require high school graduation.
Subjects
The taker must take more than 8 subjects to get the certificate.
Required
- Japanese
- Math
- English
Options
The takers must choose one subject from each category.
- World History
- World History A
- World History B
- History and Geography
- Japanese History A
- Japanese History B
- Geography A
- Geography B
- Social Studies
- Modern Society
- Moral; Politics & Economics
- Sciences
- Natural Science A; Natural Science B
- Physics I
- Chemistry I
- Biology I
- Geology I
See also
External links
- MEXT: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT Official website, in English)
- MEXT's Major Policies (Higher Education) (MEXT Official website, in English)
Categories:- Testing and exams in Japan
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