Monitoring Student Progress in Mathematics and Science
Since the 1980s, three types of large scale assessment have been administered in Japan: the Assessment of Implementation of Curriculum, the Assessment of Specific Issues of Education, and the National Assessment of Academic Ability.28 The National Assessment of Academic Ability has been held every year since 2007. Each assessment has different aims, as presented in Exhibit 6.
Exhibit 6: Assessment of Education for Primary and Secondary School Students Since the 1980s
| Title | Aim | Grades | Survey Method | Subjects | Date |
| The Assessment of Implementation of Curriculum | Collect data for revising the curriculum and improving methods of instruction | Grades 5–9 | Sample of students | Japanese, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, English (lower secondary school only) | Before revising the curriculum and after the revised curriculum is implemented |
| The Assessment of Specific Issues of Education | Collect data about specific issues in education | Depends on the subject | Sample of students | Japanese, Mathematics (2004) Science, English (2005) | Annually 2004–2013 |
| The National Assessment of Academic Ability | Review achievement and issues in education | Grades 6, 9 | Complete population (2007–2009, 2013) Sample of students (2010, 2012) |
Japanese, Mathematics, Science (added in 2012 and 2015) | Every April since 2007 (except 2011 because of the earthquake) |
In primary and lower secondary schools, student progress is reported to parents at the end of each school term in a report card that provides both norm-referenced and criterion-referenced evaluations. In mathematics and science, teachers use the following four aspects of criterion-referenced evaluation: interest, eagerness, and attitude toward mathematics or natural phenomena; mathematical or scientific thinking; expression and processing; and knowledge and understanding.
Students in Japan also take entrance examinations for admission to upper secondary schools and universities. Almost all prefectural boards of education administer the entrance examination for prefectural and municipal upper secondary schools, which students enter in ninth grade. These entrance examinations cover several subjects, including mathematics and science.
For admission to national, prefectural, municipal, and most private universities, all applicants must take an entrance examination called the National Center Test for University Admissions. This test covers several subjects, including mathematics and science, and is administered by the National Center for University Entrance Examination, an incorporated administrative agency. Applicants also must pass specific entrance examinations administered by individual universities.