Abilities Tested in University Entrance Examinations and Types of Elites: Comparisons of Japan, the United States and France

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23531116
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Sociology of education
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: WATANABE Masako 名古屋大学, 教育学研究科(研究院), 教授 (20312209)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 大学入試 / 能力観 / エリート像 / SAT / センター試験 / バカロレア / 比較教育

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study compared types of abilities tested in university entrance examinations in Japan, United States and France through the analysis of questions of exams and preparatory education in high schools. Based on the analysis, a typology with types of knowledge (experiential versus academic) and objective (instrumental versus value) as indices was proposed. Three types of abilities were extracted from the typology: communal, generic and political. Japanese National Center Test examines the ability to infer human emotions, whereas the American SAT measures effective reasoning for versatile application. French baccalaureate tests the mastery of dialectical procedure for innovation. Entrance examinations reveal the types of abilities and attitude each society values and that in turn elucidates necessary conditions for the elites in each society.

Free Research Field

教育社会学