In this post, I will provide tips on how to score higher in the entrance exam. Generally, the entrance exam for the Applied Physics program is divided into two parts: a written exam and an interview, with a total of 1000 points. The breakdown is as follows: 500 points for the written test; 200 points for English; and 300 points for the interview. I will explain each part one by one.
Written Exam (500 points)
In this exam, there are 6 questions covering various topics, from mathematics, basic knowledge, to advanced knowledge. Here are the topics tested:
- Mathematics
- Basic
- Mechanics
- Electromagnetics
- Advanced
- Quantum Mechanics
- Optics
- Semiconductors
Question Selection Rules
During the exam, participants are required to answer 4 out of the 6 questions provided, following these rules:
- The Mathematics question is mandatory.
- Of the remaining 3 questions, participants are free to choose, as long as one of them is either Mechanics or Electromagnetics.
Personal Experience in the Exam
I chose to answer the following questions:
- Mathematics
- Mechanics
- Electromagnetics
- Quantum Mechanics
Initially, I planned to answer Mathematics, Mechanics, Electromagnetics, and Optics. However, upon seeing the Optics question, I felt unable to solve it. Fortunately, the Quantum Mechanics question was similar to one I had encountered during my undergraduate quantum physics exam.
Reasons for Choosing the Questions
I chose Mechanics and Electromagnetics because these topics are part of basic physics and are generally easier to solve. Advanced physics topics, such as Quantum Mechanics and Optics, may require a deeper understanding.
Regarding the Mathematics Question
The mathematics question varies each year, so I recommend reviewing the topics you feel less confident about.
English Test (200 points)
In the English test section, there is actually no direct test. The score is taken from the English test results you submit with your application documents. Therefore, getting the maximum score in this section is quite easy.
How to Get the Maximum Score
To get the maximum score based on the English test, according to the table below, as long as your score exceeds the minimum standard, your score will automatically be the maximum (200 points).
| TOEIC | TOEFL iBT | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| 860+ | 98+ | 7.0+ |
Personal Experience
I took the TOEIC test for the first time in 2019 with relatively short preparation. I only bought a TOEIC practice book and studied from there. Surprisingly, I managed to score 900+, which automatically gave me the maximum English score for my application to the University of Tsukuba.
Advice
If you plan to continue your studies in Japan, you’re in luck because many universities there still accept TOEIC scores. This test is generally easier and cheaper than TOEFL or IELTS. So, take the TOEIC test and aim for the highest score possible.
Interview (300 points)
In the interview, there’s no need to be too nervous. A relaxed attitude is allowed. The interview usually lasts less than 5 minutes (maybe only 3 minutes), including self-introduction.
Although I don’t know exactly how they evaluate, the important thing is to show that you are worthy of being accepted as a student there. Before the interview begins, the university probably already knows whether you will pass or not, as they have already evaluated your written test and English scores. The interview serves to assess whether you are truly fit to be accepted.
Interview Questions
Here are some of the questions asked during the interview:
- Introduce yourself.
- Have you decided on a potential supervisor? If yes, who is it?
- Who will bear the tuition fees?
Personal Experience
Honestly, I didn’t know anything about the interview beforehand because I couldn’t find any information. I thought it would just be a Q&A about my previous research. It turns out, the questions were quite simple.
Initially, I assumed that only 3 to 5 people would interview me. However, I was very surprised when I entered the interview room and saw around 20 professors present. Despite the shock, I remained calm, smiled, and sat in the seat provided, following the instructions from the interview host.
The first question was to introduce myself. I mentioned my name, exam number, country of origin, and a brief explanation of what I had studied previously.
The second question was about my potential supervisor. Since I had already contacted my prospective supervisor beforehand, I quickly mentioned their name. The professor raised their hand and explained that we had indeed communicated before the interview.
Lastly, regarding tuition, I answered that if accepted, I would be funded by NIMS through the NIMS-GRA program. However, if I was not accepted, I would withdraw. After answering these questions, the interview seemed to pass by quickly, and I was politely dismissed.