What Are the Key Points Evaluated in Comprehensive Admission Exams? The Deciding Factor is 'Self-Driven Experience'

very50 (Berififuti), an organization that has provided experiential education to over 8,000 high school students to date, has now launched Ten Academy—a physical learning center dedicated to inquiry-based education. With the overarching goal of nurturing 'adults' who can act independently in society, the organization also aims to cultivate the abilities that will enhance university entrance exams and subsequent student life. On the occasion of launching Ten Academy, very50 conducted a survey of successful applicants regarding comprehensive admission exams.

【Survey Summary】

Survey Overview

The survey was conducted from June 12 to 23, 2026, targeting 109 individuals who had experience with comprehensive admission (AO entrance) exams.

Main Survey Results

The key factor in admission outcomes is 'self-driven experience.' 'Self-driven experience' ranked highest at 43.1% as the factor most influencing exam results, far surpassing 'self-analysis' (15.6%) and 'cram school guidance' (8.3%).

Approximately 80% of these experiences were driven by 'personal initiative.' A combined 78.9% of respondents acted 'entirely by their own will' or 'mostly by their own will.' The presence or absence of intrinsic motivation may influence persuasiveness in documents and interviews.

Experiences involving 'the outside world' boost evaluation. A majority of respondents received external feedback from mentors or professionals (47.7%) and beneficiaries or stakeholders of their activities (43.1%). Experiences with social connections tend to be evaluated more favorably than self-contained activities.

Only a minority completed exam-prep inquiry activities in a short period. The primary activities were literature research (64.2%) and 'further development or deepening of prior experiences' (55.0%). Only 3.7% reported completing activities 'in a short time just for exam preparation.'

What remains after graduation are 'confidence' and 'encounters with people.' The factors most influencing current values are 'confidence gained through inquiry/projects' (22.9%) and 'encounters with peers and adults' (totaling 26.3%). In contrast, exam techniques such as 'interview preparation' and 'essay guidance' totaled around 9%, indicating limited long-term impact.

Summary

Data confirms that the key to success in comprehensive admission exams and post-admission growth lies not in 'techniques,' but in 'self-driven experiences,' 'intrinsic motivation,' and 'social connections.'

【Survey Details】

Target respondents: Individuals who have previously experienced comprehensive admission exams

Survey period: June 12–23, 2026

Valid responses: 109

'Self-Driven Experience' as a Key Factor

Survey Result 1: 'Self-Driven Experience' is a major key to admission success

Q1 What factor most influenced your exam outcome? (109 applicants)

Factor

Number

Percentage

Self-driven experience

47

43.1%

Self-analysis

17

15.6%

School teachers

16

14.7%

Cram school guidance

9

8.3%

Club activities/extracurriculars

7

6.4%

Chance encounters

6

5.5%

Approximately 43% of successful applicants cited 'self-driven experience' as the key factor, highlighting the importance of 'having experience' in comprehensive admission. Only 8.3% cited 'cram school guidance' as the most influential factor.

Q2 Was the experience driven by your own will? (109 applicants)

Response

Number

Percentage

Entirely by my own will

55

50.5%

Mostly by my own will

31

28.4%

Half by my will, half by others' suggestion

14

12.8%

Mostly by others' suggestion

1

0.9%

Entirely by others' suggestion

1

0.9%

Approximately 80% of applicants responded that they acted 'mainly by their own will.' Experiences lacking internal motivation may be difficult to convey and evaluate in documents and interviews.

Importance of 'Feedback from Others'

Survey Result 2: 'Activities that go beyond self-satisfaction' are key to admission success

Q3 Types of external feedback received (109 applicants, multiple selections allowed)

Feedback source

Number

Percentage

Adult mentors / professionals

52

47.7%

Beneficiaries / stakeholders (members of society)

47

43.1%

Academic feedback from teachers

34

31.2%

Peer reflections only

17

15.6%

None

23

21.1%

Approximately 80% of applicants received feedback from 'someone (society, mentors, teachers).' Experiences that extend beyond oneself—engaging with the outside world—appear to be crucial.

Q4 Types of inquiry activities (109 applicants, multiple selections allowed)

Type of inquiry

Number

Percentage

Literature research / reading books

70

64.2%

Deepening prior personal experiences

60

55.0% (2nd)

Research for constructing logic in statement of purpose

52

47.7%

Interviews with experts / researchers

19

17.4%

Visiting university professors' labs / dialogues

18

16.5%

Did almost no inquiry (existing experience sufficient)

14

12.8%

Completed inquiry activities in a short time

4

3.7%

Only 3.7% of applicants 'completed activities in a short time just for exam prep.' The majority of successful applicants engaged in research such as 'literature research' (64.2%) or 'further deepening of prior experiences' (55%).

Self-driven experiences and encounters continue to have impact

Survey Result 3: Self-driven experiences and encounters continue to influence life after exams

Q5 Which aspect of exam preparation most influenced your current values and behavioral principles? (118 respondents)

Content

Number

Percentage

Confidence gained through inquiry/projects

27

22.9% (1st)

Encounters with peers/schoolmates

17

14.4%

Encounters with adults/teachers

14

11.9%

Experience constructing logic for statement of purpose

13

11.0%

No significant influence

12

10.2%

School/club activities

9

7.6%

Interview preparation practice

7

5.9%

Essay writing guidance

4

3.4%

What remains most after university admission is 'confidence gained through inquiry (23%)' and 'encounters with people (26% combined).' Those who found lasting value in 'interview practice' or 'essay guidance' totaled only about 9%.

Comment from Hiroshi Tani, Deputy Representative of very50 and Head of Ten Academy:

'In launching our comprehensive admission prep school, we aimed to re-examine, based on more objective data, what kind of experiences are truly needed for comprehensive admission exams and what kind of preparation we should provide. Through this survey, we clarified the gap between the original purpose of comprehensive admission and the current reality of exam preparation, as well as the essential factors critical to success.

● The original purpose of comprehensive admission

The fundamental aim of comprehensive admission is to carefully 'match' applicants' aptitudes and motivations—qualities that cannot be measured by test scores alone—with universities' admission policies. Students who enter environments suited to them will actively engage in research and activities, defining their expertise and future direction. Comprehensive admission is designed with the vision that such students will grow into individuals who contribute to society.'

● In the exam preparation market,