Entrance Exams and Results Announcement Scenes from Half a Century Ago

Image: Students selling preliminary answer keys

The photo in the center (at the top) shows the scene at Hiyoshi on the day of the exam. Organizations of Keio students, such as the newspaper club, are selling model answers. In cooperation with prep schools, these were sold in time for the end of the exam. I believe this continued until the late 1970s. Additionally, preliminary reports of the results were sold on campus by them. These reports were also posted at clothing stores along Keio Naka-dori and other areas, where people could find out the results early. There must have been far more incoming students back then who had their school uniforms custom-made. It must have been a moment of great pride for a new student to order their uniform at the very shop where their examinee number was posted. Perhaps the shop owners understood that sentiment as well. In the morning, once the results were announced, the number lists seemed to be handled rather loosely; looking back, it was a different, simpler time. Speaking of the good old days, around 1967 (Showa 42), the announcement boards for successful applicants were handwritten. Although the total number of successful applicants across all departments was enormous, the examinee numbers were written in a very legible and consistent style. Handwritten announcements ended in 1971. I was in charge of entrance exam operations from the late 70s through the 80s, and there were still senior colleagues who spoke proudly of this craftsmanship. For about ten years after that, we used documents created with a typewriter, which were then greatly enlarged at a local photo shop.

Recalling the day of the entrance exams, a "gate" used to be set up at the main gate of Mita to prohibit anyone other than those involved from entering the campus. This was because the aftermath of the student protests was still ongoing, and there were concerns about students or others obstructing the exams. However, as things became more peaceful over time, the "gate" was moved back to the entrance of the South School Building in 1985, narrowing the restricted area. Today, it has narrowed even further and is set up at the entrance of each school building where the exam is held. In 1979, the National Center Test for University Admissions (the predecessor to the current Common Test) began. It was an era of significant change both socially and in the way entrance exams were processed within the Juku. The Juku developed a new computer system compatible with all departments, and as a result, the lists of successful examinee numbers could simply be printed and posted as they were. Since then, the method of announcement has evolved; currently, applicants apply online, and results are posted on their personal "My Page" on the web, so only the individual can see them. Since there is no longer a physical posting of successful examinee numbers, Mita Hilltop Square is no longer crowded on the day of the announcement. It truly feels like a different world.