notice

To reduce the burden on examinees, create an environment that makes it easier for people from all over the country to take the exam, and improve the efficiency and sophistication of university examination management.

Prometric Japan Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: James Hagenbuscher) announced on July 21, 2026, that it will collaborate with Gakken Inc. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tatsuya Nanjo), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroaki Miyahara), to support the introduction of CBT（Computer Based Testing）entrance examination at test centers nationwide for the 2027 academic year (to be conducted in 2026) at Seisen University. This aims to simultaneously improve convenience for Candidate, streamline examination management, and ensure fairness and security.

■ Background of the implementation

In recent years, university entrance examinations have faced significant challenges, including attracting applicants nationwide due to the declining birthrate, expanding examination opportunities, improving the efficiency of examination administration, and ensuring security. Computer-based testing (CBT), which conducts examinations on computers and utilizes permanent test centers located throughout the country, is attracting increasing attention.

Against this backdrop, Seisen University has decided to introduce the CBT (Computer-Based Testing) system to provide examinees from all over Japan with examination opportunities that are not limited by their place of residence or travel distance, and to promote the recruitment of examinees from diverse regions. Unlike the conventional PBT (Paper-Based Testing) system, which is bound by "fixed dates and Test Center," the system allows examinees to flexibly choose a convenient date and start time at the nearest test center within the set examination period. This makes it easier to avoid overlaps with entrance examinations at other universities and maximizes examination opportunities. Furthermore, by managing the question output through a system in which questions are automatically constructed and presented from a question pool based on the examination structure, measures are taken to thoroughly address the risk of question leakage and cheating, creating an advanced CBT entrance examination environment that guarantees high security and fairness.

*PBT (Paper Based Testing) refers to traditional paper-based testing.

■ Overview of CBT entrance examinations at Seisen University

CBT (Computer-Based Testing) will be introduced for "Comprehensive Selection," "General Selection (Schedule A and Schedule B)," and "Adult Student/Returnee Student Entrance Examination." The number of elective subjects varies depending on the faculty and department, and the system is designed to be simple, allowing applicants to leverage their strengths.

*Depending on the availability of test centers and the schedule of each Test Center, there may be dates and times within the period when you cannot take the test. Please be sure to check the application guidelines for details.

[Comprehensive Selection Process <Subject Selection Method>]

Faculty of Humanities (Department of Psychology and Communication), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Department of Information and Communication), Faculty of Nursing (Department of Nursing), Junior College (Department of Child Studies): Choose one subject.
*This method is not available for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Department of Culture and Arts).
Elective subjects: Japanese Language (excluding Classical Japanese and Classical Chinese), English (excluding Listening), Mathematics "Mathematics I, Mathematics A",
Science “Basics of Biology, Basics of Chemistry”

schedule:

Application period: November 16th (Mon) - November 30th (Mon)
• CBT (Computer-Based Testing) Period: December 4th (Fri) - December 13th (Sun)
• Results will be announced on December 23rd (Wednesday)

2. [General Selection <Individual Test Format A Schedule>]

Faculty of Humanities (Department of Psychology and Communication): Choose one subject (Science is not an option).
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Department of Information and Communication, Department of Culture and Arts), Faculty of Nursing (Department of Nursing), Junior College (Department of Child Studies): Choose one subject.
Elective subjects: Japanese Language (excluding Classical Japanese and Classical Chinese), English (excluding Listening), Mathematics "Mathematics I, Mathematics A", Science "Basic Biology, Basic Chemistry"

schedule:

Application period: January 12th (Tue) - January 26th (Tue)
• CBT examination period: February 1st (Mon) - February 7th (Sun)
• Results will be announced on February 16th (Tuesday).

3. [General Selection <Individual Test Format B Schedule>]

Faculty of Humanities (Department of Psychology and Communication): Choose one subject (Science is not an option).
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Department of Information and Communication, Department of Culture and Arts), Faculty of Nursing (Department of Nursing), Junior College (Department of Child Studies): Choose one subject.
Elective subjects: Japanese Language (excluding Classical Japanese and Classical Chinese), English (excluding Listening), Mathematics "Mathematics I, Mathematics A", Science "Basic Biology, Basic Chemistry"

schedule:

Application period: February 15th (Mon) - February 26th (Fri)
• CBT examination period: March 4th (Thu) - March 10th (Wed)
• Results will be announced on March 18th (Thursday).

*The dates and schedules vary depending on the test center.

■ Overview of the initiative

• Seisen University: Recruitment and Public Relations
• Gakken Co., Ltd.: Operational support leveraging expertise in services for educational institutions.
• Prometric Japan Co., Ltd..: Provides a nationwide network of test centers, operates CBTs, and manages the testing process On the test day

■ Purpose of implementation

Through this initiative, Seisen University aims to achieve the following:

• To attract applicants nationwide and expand opportunities for taking the exam.

Not only will applicants be able to choose their test Test Center from approximately 200 test centers nationwide, but they will also be able to choose a date and time that suits their own convenience within the designated test period. This will make it easier to avoid overlaps with entrance exam dates at other universities, allowing for a more flexible test schedule, which is expected to reduce missed opportunities for applicants and lead to an increase in the number of applicants.
*The dates and schedules vary depending on the test center.

• To streamline exam administration and reduce the workload on universities.

By utilizing Prometric 's permanent test centers and operational infrastructure, universities can significantly reduce the substantial workload associated with renting their own Test Center, assigning invigilators and operational staff on the day of the exam, and printing, transporting, and storing test papers and answer sheets.

• Ensuring security and fairness at test centers

Prometric 's permanent test centers standardize the testing environment based on unified regulations. All Test Center have lockable lockers in the waiting areas, restricting the bringing of personal belongings into the test rooms by requiring test-takers to deposit their belongings before entering. Furthermore, surveillance cameras are installed in the test rooms to prevent cheating. In addition, the equipment and environment at Test Center, such as the displays on the terminals used by Candidate, are standardized, ensuring a fair testing opportunity regardless of which Test Center you choose.

Seisen University President: Yuji Sugawara

Seisen University will introduce a new entrance examination system utilizing computer-based testing (CBT) as a catalyst for its development into a comprehensive university with the planned establishment of a new Faculty of Agriculture (application for establishment approval is pending). This initiative aims to reduce the economic and psychological burden of travel for many applicants and expand "fair and safe examination opportunities" that allow everyone to take the exam equally from anywhere in the country. Through the effective use of CBT, we will broaden the options for examinations, create a learning environment without regional disparities, and contribute to nurturing highly motivated and talented individuals who will lead Japan's future.

Gakken Co., Ltd.

Our company supports this initiative at Seisen University. We will provide our "Admission Compass" solution, which offers comprehensive support from the computer-based testing (CBT) of entrance examinations to their implementation at test centers in all 47 prefectures of Japan. This service will enable universities to streamline their entrance examination operations and optimize their operational structure, while ensuring stable operation and improving quality. For applicants, it will expand their options for Test Center, reducing the time and financial burden associated with traveling long distances and supporting the creation and expansion of examination opportunities.

James Hagenbuscher, CEO of Prometric Japan Co., Ltd.

We are honored to participate in this initiative at Seisen University. As a collaborative project with Gakken Inc., we will provide "Admission Compass," which offers comprehensive support for the computer-based testing (CBT) of university entrance examinations, and will provide more opportunities for Candidate to take the exam through standardized test centers nationwide. Based on our operational track record cultivated through high-stakes examinations and our expertise as a pioneer in the CBT field, we will continue to contribute to the development of university entrance examinations through fair and reliable examination services.

■ Future developments

Through this initiative, we aim to promote diversification of examination opportunities and create an environment where applicants can choose the most suitable examination method regardless of their place of residence or schedule. We will continue to pursue flexible entrance examinations that are open to a wider range of applicants.

■Seisen University

・所在地：長野県長野市上野2-120-8
・学長：菅原　裕二
・法人設立：1938年5月
・大学ホームページ：https://u-seisen.ac.jp
・お問い合わせ先：[email protected]

■ Prometric Japan Co., Ltd.

・Head office location: 4-6 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Ochanomizu Solacity Academia 5F
• Representative Director: James Hagenbuscher
• Business activities: Planning, development, and implementation of exams, primarily CBT (Computer-Based Testing), and providing exam development support services such as AI-powered exam question creation tools.
・Established: March 1991
• Homepage: https://www.prometric-jp.com/
·inquiry: https://www.prometric-jp.com/contact/press/

■Gakken Co., Ltd.

Head office address: 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
President and CEO: Tatsuya Nanjo
Business activities: Publishing and content business, kindergarten/school/adult education business, global business, medical and nursing publishing and content business, e-commerce and online business, and advertising business.
Established: January 13, 2009 (Company name changed on October 1, 2022)
• Homepage: https://www.corp-gakken.co.jp/
• Contact information: https://ac.gakken.jp/

■Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd.

https://www.gakken.co.jp/
・代表取締役社長：宮原 博昭
・法人設立年月日：1947年3月31日
・資本金：19,817百万円
・売上高：1,991億円、連結子会社：82社（2025年9月期）
　　　　　東京証券取引所 プライム市場上場（証券コード：9470）
・所在住所：〒141-8510 東京都品川区西五反田2丁目11番8号
・電話番号：03-6431-1001（代表）
・事業内容：1946年創業の教育・医療福祉関連事業を展開する持株会社
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