Publication of 'How to Pass Comprehensive Selection: 70 Q&As on Parental Involvement' Co-authored by Ryoko Sato and Prep School Yoyo

Released on May 26, 2026 / WAVE Publishing

We have entered an era where more than half of university admissions are decided within the year through Comprehensive Selection and School Recommendation Selection. Comprehensive selection features September applications, an emphasis on documents and interviews, and undisclosed reasons for acceptance or rejection. The common sense of entrance exams is changing significantly.

University entrance exams are shifting from "academic test-centric" to "selections that evaluate thinking skills, independence, and expressiveness from multiple perspectives."

Against the backdrop of these changes in the admission environment, WAVE Publishing (1-18-11 Shinkiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Mitsuhiro Yanishita) will publish a new book titled "How to Pass Comprehensive Selection: 70 Q&As on Parental Involvement" on May 26, 2026. The book is co-authored by Yoyo, Japan's first specialized prep school for comprehensive selection, and Ryoko Sato, known as "Sato Mama," who guided all four of her children to the University of Tokyo Science III.

Pre-order / Purchase the book here

A Mother of Four Tokyo Univ. Science III Students × A Pioneer in Comprehensive Selection

The authors are Ryoko Sato, who guided all four of her children to Tokyo University Science III, and "Yoyo," Japan's first specialized prep school for comprehensive selection, which has been producing successful candidates for prestigious universities such as Waseda, Keio, Sophia, and GMARCH for over 20 years. These two, who understand both home practices and the structure of entrance exams, concretely demonstrate the position parents should take in future university exams.

Unlike the image of traditional "recommendation exams," current comprehensive selection questions the child's own way of thinking and attitude toward learning, evaluating reasons for application, inquiry activities, interviews, essays, activity records, and suitability for the university. Now that the nature of university exams has changed, the way parents are involved must also inevitably change.

In an era where Comprehensive Selection and School Recommendation Selection become the mainstream, how far should parents be involved, and at what point should they leave it to the child? This book, while taking into account the changing reality of university admissions, organizes the axis of choices and judgments that should be made at home.

Aiming for Top Universities with "Parents' Strategy for Passing"

This book is structured based on actual consultations from parents tackling comprehensive selection. Through 70 Q&As that answer "how to think in our child's case," it sorts out the hesitations of parents.

- How much does standard deviation score affect pass/fail? - By when and what level of Eiken (English proficiency test) is needed? - How should first and second-year high school students approach this? - How should we think about the grade point average (GPA)? - If taking only comprehensive selection, is studying unnecessary? - Is a history of non-attendance a disadvantage? - Can one pass even from a correspondence high school? - How should we consider applying concurrently with general selection? - What if the child won't write the documents at all? - Is it okay to compile application documents using AI? - What should we do if the child has no track record? - Can parents edit the application documents? - Are regional areas with little information at a disadvantage? - Should we practice for interviews? etc.

Comprehensive selection is not a battle for the child alone. Furthermore, the conventional wisdom of parents regarding past exams is no longer valid. Utilize this book to prepare for success.

New Book Information

You can aim to pass prestigious universities through comprehensive selection!

Title: "How to Pass Comprehensive Selection: 70 Q&As on Parental Involvement" Authors: Yoyo, Ryoko Sato Release Date: May 26, 2026 Price: 1,800 yen + tax Format: B6 (Shiroku) Pages: 224 pages Publisher: WAVE Publishing

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: What Parents Must Know First - What and How is Comprehensive Selection Different? Chapter 2: Establishing the Parent's Exam Stance - Build Your Foundation Before Getting Involved Chapter 3: Parents Cooperating to Find the Child's Strengths - How to Draw Out Hidden Strengths Chapter 4: Planning the Exam Process - When, What, and How to Prepare Chapter 5: Setting Up the System - Thoughts on Prep Schools, Teachers, Costs, and Records Chapter 6: Watching Over Document Creation - What Parents Can Do for Statements of Purpose and Essays Chapter 7: From the Actual Exam to the Announcement of Results - To Remain a "Safe Base" Until the End Chapter 8: Dialogue - Comprehensive Selection Pioneer Nobuaki Shimizu × Knowing the Pinnacle of General Selection Exams Ryoko Sato

Pre-order / Purchase the book here

Publication Commemorative Event & Autograph Session! Presenting "Preparation Perks for Passing (Materials & Charm)"

"Is Parents' Common Sense No Longer Valid? The Future of University Exams and the Role of Parents"

Nobuaki Shimizu × Ryoko Sato

In comprehensive selection, abilities beyond just paper test scores are evaluated. What is crucial for passing is the "parents' involvement."

Therefore, in this event, we will deliver key points that parents must know about comprehensive selection.

Event Overview

[Ryoko Sato × Nobuaki Shimizu Commemorating the Publication of 'How to Pass Comprehensive Selection: 70 Q&As on Parental Involvement' Special Dialogue & Autograph Session]

Theme: "Is Parents' Common Sense No Longer Valid? The Future of University Exams and the Role of Parents" Date & Time: June 5, 2026 (Friday) 19:00-20:30 (Doors open 18:30) Venue: Junkudo Bookstore