The Examination for Japanese University (EJU) exam is finished at last! Time to get some emblem of triumphs.

Woo can’t believe it. It’s finally over. It does not really concern me (not planning to enter university), just that it’s compulsory for Yamano students to take the exam. It would be nice if I pass though :)

Just a quick explanation of the EJU test. EJU differs in JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) in a lot of ways:

• There’s only one level in EJU, unlike the 4 levels (5 levels next year) in JLPT.
• Optionally, there’s also maths, science and english tests; some universities need you to pass these.
• In EJU you have to write an essay in 20 minutes, agreeing or disagreeing on a certain topic.
• Comprehension test is hell in EJU: you have 20 semi-long passages to read, and only one question for each passage. You have 30 minutes. Simple maths will tell you that you only have one-and-a-half minute to skim through the passage! Read every word and you lose.

JLPT listening test:
“Hey look, it’s Yamada-san!”
“Which one is Yamada-san? Is it that thin guy with a hat?”
“No silly, it’s the other guy with the hat, Yamada-san can’t be THAT thin!”
“Q: Which of the 4 pictures below is Yamada-san?” *PING!* <– signal to highlight your answer.

EJU listening test:
“In front of you are 4 different types of flowcharts.”
“Flowchart A is used to show a flow in time, bla bla bla.”
“Flowchart B is used to indicate degrees divided by two main factors, bla bla bla”
“Flowchart C bla bla bla”
“Flowchart D bla bla bla”
“Now here’s a scenario: Let’s say that you made a poll and wanted to group similar opinions, which flowchart would you use?” *PING!*

In other words, EJU is used to ensure that you are able to listen to a proper lecture and write a report/thesis, all in Japanese.

Questions may touch on marketing, sciences, psychology, sociology etc. One of the questions today involved the four states of matter: solid, liquid, gas and plasma. There was also a nice drawing of a boxy robot!

I was assigned to take the test in Setagaya, so had to change trains in Sengajaya, 5 minutes away from Shibuya (that’s a lot of ya-s). If it sounds familiar to you, you might’ve watched Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. This is where Mari lives with her mom and daughter.

The Setagaya line train is unique coz the station doesn’t have a gate, as you can see above. You pay for the fare inside the train, similar to how you ride a bus.

While walking towards the university, I saw the government municipal office. This is where Dzaid and I applied for our foreign registration card, about a year ago. How nostalgic!

And there it is, the place where I took my exam. Kokushikan University Setagaya Campus.

EJU is known in Japanese as Nihon Ryuugaku Shiken, or overseas study Japanese exam. Hey, I ain’t no translator k.

The exam hall. The moderator took around 30 minutes to explain the rules and stuff. Everything was done in a very systematic manner. I dunno how the modern exam is, but to see my number and name already printed on both my answer sheets is a first for me.

And then it’s done! Look at the joy on the students’ faces. Bet they all gonna log on to WoW after this. No, wait, maybe Aion.