2018 Volume 42 Issue 4 Pages 446-453
This article aims to analyze the Okinawa Prefectural Entrance Examination administered by the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education and shows results focused on considering academic ability. In comparison, the National School Achievement Test was also analyzed in a similar way. The National School Achievement Test is similar to PISA (Program for International Student Assessment), and consequently tends to ask questions requiring applied ability. On the other hand, in the Entrance Examination, students are expected to use their memorization skills for answering questions. There are significant differences in the frame of questions between the Entrance Examination and the National School Achievement Test. Additionally there are also differences in the question format. There are also great differences between the trends in the Entrance Exam questions. Another feature of the Entrance Examination is that there are no questions on “consideration/improvement”. It had a question asking students to demonstrate their plotting skills from earthquake records. Learners and teachers are much influenced by trends in entrance examinations. The analysis of academic ability should lead to an improvement of learning and teaching. Teachers can utilize the results of the analysis for making the questions for the Okinawa Prefectural Entrance Examinations from now on.
