In East Asia, where the competition for the university entrance examination is intense, there is an option to repeat the preparation for the next year’s examination. This option, to be the examination repeaters (ER) has not been academically focused on. Now that the capacity of universities has been expanded and these countries are facing a low birth rate, the issue of ER doesn’t seem to be a serious problem. However, in some countries, the rate of the ER is increasing. This study aims to explore the factors that affect the rise and fall of the number of the ER. Through literature research, it examines the history and recent situation of the ER in East Asia, mainly in Japan and South Korea. From a comparative perspective, the factors that affect the number of the ER are derived and categorized into educational, social, and personal. Educational factors include the structure of school stages, the capacity of universities, the extent of university hierarchy, and the paper-test-oriented admission system that offers the expectation of success in the following year. Social factors include the college wage premium, the advancement rate in higher education, and the state of the labor market. Personal factors include parents’ aspirations and students’ motivation for advancement. In conclusion, although the educational system has changed to prevent repetition and the low birth rate affects the state of the labor market, the college wage premium still exists, and personal aspirations are increased by social media and decreasing competition.

Authors:
Kimikazu Nishiyama, Kyoto University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Kimikazu NISHIYAMA is a doctoral student of graduate school of education, Kyoto university. He receives the Kyoto University Division of Graduate Studies SPRING Program since April 2024.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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