Cram School Attendance for High School Exams Exceeds 80%: The Impact of Earlier Preparation [2026 Survey]

The cram school selection service 'Jukusen,' operated by DeltaX Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Takeshi Kuroiwa), has announced the summary of a survey conducted on the 'cram school attendance rate for high school entrance exams.'

High school entrance exams require families to make various decisions, not only regarding how to proceed with studying but also concerning cram schools, seasonal courses, study materials, mock exams, and school information sessions.

In this survey, Jukusen Journal targeted 100 parents of children who completed their high school entrance exams in the 2026 academic year. The survey investigated methods of exam preparation, the timing of starting to study, costs incurred, and reflections felt after completing the exams.

The survey results revealed that 84% of families attended a cram school as a measure for high school entrance exams, and over 70% of families began their exam preparation 'by the second year of junior high school.' Along with the high cram school attendance rate, a trend toward earlier exam preparation was observed.

Based on the voices of parents who completed high school entrance exams in 2026, this article organizes the cram school attendance rate, the start time of exam study, the costs of high school entrance exams, and parents' reflections, exploring hints for highly satisfying high school entrance exams.

For more details, please visit here.

Cram School Attendance Rate Exceeds 80% - Trend Toward Earlier Exam Preparation Observed

What stood out first in this survey was the high cram school attendance rate for high school entrance exam preparation and the earlier timing of starting exam preparation.

Cram School Attendance Rate is 84%, an Increasing Trend with +8% Year-on-Year

When asked about their methods for preparing for high school entrance exams, 'attended a cram school' was the most common response for the 2026 academic year at 84%, an 8-point increase from 76% the previous year. Meanwhile, 'took correspondence education' decreased from 10% in 2025 to 7% in 2026, and 'other' decreased from 14% to 9%.

It can be said that more families are prioritizing study management, exam information, and school-specific preparation at cram schools over relying solely on home study or correspondence education.

Over 70% Start Exam Study 'By 2nd Year of Junior High'. Those Starting in 3rd Year Plummet to 20%

Along with the rise in the cram school attendance rate, the change in the timing of starting exam study is noteworthy. The background of the increasing number of families utilizing cram schools is thought to be a growing awareness to start exam preparation itself earlier.

In the 2026 results, the percentage of those who 'started exam study in the third year of junior high school' was 28%, a 20-point decrease from 48% the previous year. This is arguably the most characteristic change in this survey.

Correspondingly, the start time has been moved forward, with 'second year of junior high school' increasing to 39% (up from 30% the previous year) and 'first year of junior high school' to 20% (up from 18%). Furthermore, the segment starting from the elementary school stage is also expanding. Combined, the percentage starting study by the second year of junior high school reached 72% (+20% from 52% the previous year). The majority now fall into the segment that 'starts by the 2nd year' rather than 'getting serious from the 3rd year.'

In cases where exam study was actually intensified from the third year, there were voices of reflection such as, 'I should have started earlier.'

■ Taking Time to Solidify Basics Left No Leeway Just Before Exams

'I wish we had made a habit of solidifying the basics of English vocabulary and mathematics at home from an early stage, like the first or second year of junior high. Academic ability improved rapidly after starting cram school in the third year, but we had to spend a lot of time compensating for gaps in the basics. I feel that if we had prepared earlier, we could have devoted more time to practicing difficult questions right before the exam.' (Sakuramochi / Aichi / Parent of 1st-year high school boy)

'I feel we should have seriously solidified memorization in science and social studies from around the winter break of the second year. From autumn of the third year, time was taken up by applied questions in math and English, and establishing basic knowledge was postponed. The reflection point is that my child had to cram frantically right before the exam, increasing their mental burden. If we had established a habit of reviewing the basics of all subjects, including minor ones, early on, mock exam results would have been more stable, and we could have approached the actual exam with more composure.' (Aozora / Kanagawa / Parent of 1st-year high school boy)

■ Reflections Remain That 'Choices Could Have Been Broadened'

'We started cram school in the third year of junior high, but I feel that if we had attended from the first or second year, my child might have been able to get into a high school with a higher deviation value. I wish we had started cram school earlier.' (Zekkan / Osaka / Parent of 3rd-year junior high girl)

'We started little by little from the second year of junior high, but I think that by proceeding a little earlier and a little at a time, we could have broadened our choices a bit more.' (Father of accepted first choice / Hyogo / Parent of 1st-year high school boy)

In particular, when full-scale preparation begins in the third year of junior high, it is necessary to proceed with studying in parallel with school selection and information gathering, which tends to easily increase both time and psychological burdens.

On the other hand, starting study early makes it easier to secure time for school selection and comparison, in addition to accumulating academic ability. As a result, leeway is created in learning, information gathering, and decision-making, which is thought to lead to a highly satisfying high school entrance exam experience.

Total Cost of High School Exams is Most Commonly '510,000 to 1,000,000 Yen'

Amidst the rise in the cram school attendance rate and the earlier preparation for exams, the cost of high school entrance exams is a concern. Utilizing cram schools and seasonal courses from an early stage naturally tends to increase the financial burden on families.

So, how much did families who completed high school entrance exams in 2026 actually spend on exam preparation? Here, we look at the total expenses related to high school exams and the expenditures that parents felt were 'worth it' or 'a waste.'

About 80% Keep Total Within 1.5 Million Yen

Looking at the expenses incurred for high school entrance exams, the vast majority are contained within 1.5 million yen. The most common bracket was '510,000 to 1,000,000 yen' at 33%, making this price range the volume zone for high school exam costs.

Meanwhile, families that spent 1.51 million yen or more accounted for only about 20% of the total, with the percentage dropping significantly as costs rise. While high school exams involve multiple expenses such as cram school fees, seasonal courses, mock exams, and examination fees, a total of under 1.5 million yen can be considered a benchmark.

Most Satisfying Expense is 'Cram School/Seasonal Courses' at About 70% - What is the Background?

As mentioned earlier, there are family differences in expenditure amounts. What is interesting is not only 'how much was spent,' but also 'what parents feel was worth spending money on.'

n=94 Parents who answered there were expenses worth making

In this survey's results, 'cram school and seasonal course fees' were the most common at 69%. What aspects do parents find valuable? Let's look at specific voices.

■ Received Instruction Tailored to Latest Exam Trends / High Volume of Information

'Having them solve exercises and past questions from years ago based on the latest entrance exam trends, and being with students from multiple other junior high schools seemed to be very stimulating for my child. I really thought it was good that we put them in cram school.' (Torikai / Nagasaki / Parent of 1st-year high school girl)

'I feel that spending money on the cram school's regular classes and exam preparation courses right before the exam was worth it. Receiving instruction tailored to the question trends of the target school advanced understanding in weak subjects and also built my child's confidence. As a result, they were able to demonstrate their true ability in the actual exam, so I think it was fully worth the investment.'