For this article, I will imagine that you are not starting from scratch, but you are just trying to fill in the gaps. If you must study from zero, then you will need much more time to prepare for this scholarship.
The main challenge with the MEXT scholarships is that there is no official syllabus. Therefore, it is difficult to know what to study. As many of you have already noticed, there are many similarities between the EJU syllabus and the MEXT tests. Consequently, you can use the EJU syllabus as a guide when you are studying. However, you need to understand that the EJU and the MEXT tests are not the same, so, the EJU syllabus might be incomplete compared to the MEXT tests.
What tests will you have to take
You need to be very organized and focused, especially if the time is short. Make a clear list of the subjects that you will have at your MEXT exam. The compulsory exams are English, Japanese, and Math (A or B). You might also have Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. You will know for sure which exams you take when you decide on the field of study and course that you want to pursue in Japan. More info on the MEXT exams here.
You should learn differently and have a separate notebook for each subject. For some, you need to memorize, and for others, you need to practice. For Japanese, you should have two notebooks, one for kanji practice and the other one for grammar, vocabulary, and additional notes.
Where to start
- Test yourself.
Give yourself a mock test, following the exact time you have at the MEXT exam. All the exams are taken on the same day, so you must do the same during your mock test.
Check your score. You should strive for at least an 80% score in the tests. In some subjects, you will be better than in others. Know your weak points and try to improve on those. If you have enough time, you can also polish the subjects where you are more comfortable and strive for an enhanced score.
This kind of mock test will allow you to find out and ameliorate your weak points.
- After you finished the first set of tests, take each question or problem that you didn’t know or you were unsure of and analyze it.
- Make a special notebook for each subject and write down the theory, formulas, grammar that you didn’t know at the mock test and learn it.
- Re-test yourself. Retake the tests or the parts you didn’t know the first time.
Let’s say your mock test was from 2016. Now, after you finished with this one, move on to the next test, for example, 2015. You might need to hire a tutor to help you with the most challenging problems.
Learn differently for each subject
For English and Japanese, memorize the vocabulary in context. Don’t just learn a word from the dictionary, but put it at least in a sentence, if not a dialogue or short text. Study and practice advanced grammar points. And last but not least, read extensively.
There are two ways of reading when studying a foreign language. The first one is when you read shorter texts to learn new vocabulary, analyze grammar, or to practice pronunciation. The second one is when you read more extended materials, such as books. Here you read for understanding and entertainment. You don’t stop for every word that you don’t know. You keep on reading. To become proficient, you need to do both of these types of reading.
The same applies to kanji as well. It is best to study the kanji ideograms in a context, the reading within the context, and then practice and visualize the way of writing it. If you find the same kanji within another context, with another reading, then you will practice again and learn the second reading.
With Math, it’s all about practice. You also need to memorize formulas. To better memorize formulas, do similar exercises that require that particular formula. After some time, try to solve again the problems you didn’t do at the first mock test.
I put together an excellent math book together with nine years of math tests for the MEXT scholarship. You have here step by step solutions, graphics, formulas, theory, and other helpful things to make your study for the MEXT undergrad scholarship a little easier. You can find this book here.
As well, the undergrad bundle or undergrad guidebook both contain all tests for the MEXT undergrad scholarship, and they will prove a useful resource for all applicants.
Conclusion
The MEXT exams are demanding, but not impossible. You need to be focused and organized when you study for the MEXT undergrad tests. Furthermore, you must give yourself plenty of time to study before sitting for the examinations.
We each have our way of studying. There is no one ideal way you can prepare or practice for these tests. In the end, you must find out what works for you. But one thing is for sure, and it applies to each of us: it is easier when we know what to expect if we are familiar with the types of problems, format, exam structure, and syllabus.
Make studying and testing fun for yourself, become familiar with the exams themselves, and also become relaxed with the idea of taking the tests. You can do it! Good luck with your studies.
Comment below if you enjoyed this article, or if you have any questions.
Can I give only Physics , Chemistry , Biology , English and Japanese exam if I choose natural science B
No, sorry. The exams are fixed. You will have Math B, English, Japanese, Chemistry, Biology.
Hey Philip! Is there a lower age limit on mext? like you have to be at least __ years old to give mext?
Hi Eren, yes, you have to be 18 at the time of admission to a university in Japan. So, maybe you can apply for MEXT a month or two before you become 18. Either way, the lower limit is 18 years of age.
Hello!
Thanks for the useful information ( ◜‿◝ )♡
Could you please introduce some study resources for Physics and Biology?
My highschool textbook don’t fully cover the questions asked in the exams.
Thanks in advance
Hello Mobina, thanks for your comment. My books include the Physics and Biology MEXT exams. However, it is a little tricky with the resources. But I will try and hope to insert something helpful soon. Please stay tuned.
Hello, Phillip! Thank you so much for spending your time to prepare this kind of articles!
I was also planning to apply this year for the MEXT as an Undergraduate student. At the beginning, I thought to choose natural sciences B and pass needed exams. I have tried past papers, but had problems solving Math part B (as I understood Math B is only for natural science applicants; and Math A only for social sciences)/Chemistry, Biology and English were okay. At the same time my Japanese is bad. I read somewhere that if you choose natural sciences, the committee accounts either English either Japanese test (being said you can leave empty your Japanese test). I was wondering if it is true?
On the other hand, solving Math problems required for Natural Sciences I felt really depressed as questions required so much extra knowledge, thus I thought maybe to choose Social Sciences B (Economics) where Math test is much easier. So I was also wondering if there is a bigger chance to get the scholarship choosing Natural or Social Sciences (some says that there are more places for natural science applicants and so on). If I choose Social Sciences I will put all my efforts to improve my Japanese instead of cramming Math part B, Biology, and Chemistry.
Lastly, I was wondering if there is a special quota for each country (for instance 2-3 per country) or applicants from all over the world are competing? Do you know by chance how many undergraduate places each year?
Thank you so much!
Hello, and thank you for your comment. You are raising some excellent questions here. It is true, Math B is only for Natural Sciences, and it is quite tricky. For Social Sciences, you need to take Math A, which is much easier.
In your case, it would be a better strategy to go for Social Sciences B and focus on improving your Japanese and Math A. I would recommend to continue to practice for Math. Even the A test is challenging enough.
Also, I would consider Business Administration, not just Economics. It’s not advice, just something to think about.
About the Japanese test, it is true, I heard that sometimes there was an option to leave the test empty, but I would never recommend this. This would lower the chances of getting the scholarship.
The competition is only with students from each country. There are several scholarships allocated for each country, and I think the embassies chose the candidates depending on the application file, exam score, and interview. Larger countries, like the USA would be allowed more scholarships, but smaller countries, with let’s say 15-20 million population could get about 10-12 scholarships in total. So, maybe 4-6 scholarships for undergraduate. Of course, these statistics are not official, and it is difficult to say for sure.
The only thing for sure is that you need to do your best at the MEXT exams, so you have a competitive advantage as opposed to the other candidates. Study as much as you can, be focused, and don’t worry so much about things that you have no control over. Best of luck! You can do it!
I have 1 year to complete my schoolings . I like to go to Japan for my higher studies. I’m from India and I don’t have any idea about where to start and how to apply for exam . I want to know where to start . please guide me
You have to decide what you want to study in Japan first. Then, check the MEXT guidelines and see where it fits among their courses. After that, you will know for which exams to prepare. If you know what you want to study, I can help you here to tell you what your exams will be. You will apply next year at the Japanese embassy in India. The application is free of charge. You don’t need to pay anything. Just put the file together and submit it to the embassy. The documents that you need to submit are in the MEXT guidelines. Let me know if you have other questions.
Best of luck!
What about the Science subjects- Physics, Chemistry, Biology??
Hello again, Smyan. To prepare for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (although for the medicine you don’t need Physics), you have two options. It depends if you have some previous knowledge or not. If you are a beginner, you will have to start with a book and a tutor and learn from zero. If you do have some knowledge about these subjects, then test yourself. Try to solve the MEXT tests to become familiar with the types of questions. You will notice there are things you don’t know, so study those parts and try to fill in the gaps. Good luck with your studies!