Widening "Information Gap" with the Spread of Comprehensive Selection (formerly AO Entrance Exams) | Obunsha and AOI Jointly Develop Content for Students on "University Entrance Pass Navi"
Obunsha and AOI, a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection, have partnered to jointly develop content for students on "University Entrance Pass Navi" regarding comprehensive selection (formerly AO entrance exams). This initiative aims to resolve the information gap in university admissions.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 15:32
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Hana-gata Inc. (Headquarters: Kyoto City, Representative: Tadashi Ozawa), which operates AOI, a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection (hereinafter "AOI"), and Obunsha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Hideki Kumekawa, hereinafter "Obunsha"), have begun a joint content development for students on "University Entrance Pass Navi," operated by Obunsha, to resolve the information gap in comprehensive selection (formerly AO entrance exams), and have launched a special page.
Currently, while 90% of universities have introduced comprehensive selection (※1), the selection criteria and desired candidate profiles differ for each university, making it difficult for students and parents to obtain sufficient necessary information.
Through this collaboration, AOI's practical knowledge and preparation know-how for comprehensive selection, accumulated across 13 branches nationwide, will be disseminated nationwide by Obunsha through "University Entrance Pass Navi." By widely delivering practical examination information that has previously tended to be biased towards a limited number of students, the aim is to resolve the "examination structure where only those with information are advantageous."
※University Entrance Pass Navi × Comprehensive Selection Specialized Cram School AOI "Comprehensive Selection Special Page"
https://passnavi.obunsha.co.jp/sp/aoi/2605/
1. Background and Purpose of the Initiative
In recent years, with reforms in the university entrance examination system, the introduction of "comprehensive selection (formerly AO entrance exams)," which evaluates students' diverse abilities and motivation from multiple perspectives, not just academic ability, has expanded. Currently, 90% of universities have introduced this selection method (※1), and it is becoming a standard for entrance exams.
On the other hand, despite its rapid spread, students' and parents' understanding has not fully caught up. Many voices express sentiments like "I don't know where to start" and "It's hard to understand the difference from general entrance exams," and the lack of necessary information and preparation know-how is becoming a barrier to choosing a desired university and preparing for exams.
Unlike general entrance exams, comprehensive selection has significantly different evaluation criteria and selection content for each university, meaning that the amount of practical information, such as "what kind of preparation should be done and when," tends to influence examination results. In particular, disparities in the amount of information obtained and preparation opportunities arise depending on the guidance system of each high school, access to specialized cram schools, and residential area, making the "examination structure where those with information are more advantageous" a challenge.
To resolve this situation, AOI, which operates a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection and possesses abundant knowledge and a track record of successful admissions, and Obunsha, which has provided higher education information to students nationwide through "University Entrance Pass Navi," have partnered. By combining Obunsha's "nationwide information dissemination platform" with AOI's "practical knowledge of comprehensive selection" accumulated through supporting over 3,000 students, they aim to create an environment where preparation know-how, which has previously tended to be biased towards a limited number of students, can be delivered to a wider range of students.
※1 Refer to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "FY2025 University Entrant Selection Implementation Status," etc.
2. Main Contents of this Partnership
Based on this partnership, both companies will promote the following initiatives on the educational platform, with the aim of strengthening information provision and learning support related to comprehensive selection.
※University Entrance Pass Navi × Comprehensive Selection Specialized Cram School AOI "Comprehensive Selection Special Page"
https://passnavi.obunsha.co.jp/sp/aoi/2605/
■ Establishment of a Collaboration Page
A collaboration page by both companies will be newly established within "University Entrance Pass Navi," operated by Obunsha. This page will provide entrance examination information for each university, along with preparation content utilizing the knowledge of Hana-gata Inc., which operates AOI, a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection. From basic understanding of comprehensive selection to preparation schedules by period, and specific preparation for major universities (e.g., statement of purpose, essay writing), information tailored to points where students tend to stumble will be progressively rolled out. Additionally, a document request form will be installed on the page, creating a smooth flow from information acquisition to concrete learning actions.
※Collaboration Page (partial)
■ Provision of Case Study Content Based on Successful Applicants' Real Experiences
In the "Success Stories" section within each university's basic information page on "University Entrance Pass Navi," testimonials from graduates of AOI, a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection, will be posted. Through the stories of actual successful applicants, including the background to their university choice, the reality of their exam preparation, and the challenges they overcame, students will be provided with an opportunity to concretely visualize their own examination process.
※Success Stories (partial)
■ Implementation of Information Distribution Tailored to Students' Concerns and Interests
Based on membership information from "Manabi ID" provided by Obunsha and usage data from "University Entrance Pass Navi," comprehensive selection-interested users will receive preparation content reflecting Hana-gata Inc. (AOI, a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection)'s knowledge and related information via email DM at optimal timings. This will enable the provision of practical information tailored to each student's situation, ensuring seamless access to appropriate preparation.
Currently, while 90% of universities have introduced comprehensive selection (※1), the selection criteria and desired candidate profiles differ for each university, making it difficult for students and parents to obtain sufficient necessary information.
Through this collaboration, AOI's practical knowledge and preparation know-how for comprehensive selection, accumulated across 13 branches nationwide, will be disseminated nationwide by Obunsha through "University Entrance Pass Navi." By widely delivering practical examination information that has previously tended to be biased towards a limited number of students, the aim is to resolve the "examination structure where only those with information are advantageous."
※University Entrance Pass Navi × Comprehensive Selection Specialized Cram School AOI "Comprehensive Selection Special Page"
https://passnavi.obunsha.co.jp/sp/aoi/2605/
1. Background and Purpose of the Initiative
In recent years, with reforms in the university entrance examination system, the introduction of "comprehensive selection (formerly AO entrance exams)," which evaluates students' diverse abilities and motivation from multiple perspectives, not just academic ability, has expanded. Currently, 90% of universities have introduced this selection method (※1), and it is becoming a standard for entrance exams.
On the other hand, despite its rapid spread, students' and parents' understanding has not fully caught up. Many voices express sentiments like "I don't know where to start" and "It's hard to understand the difference from general entrance exams," and the lack of necessary information and preparation know-how is becoming a barrier to choosing a desired university and preparing for exams.
Unlike general entrance exams, comprehensive selection has significantly different evaluation criteria and selection content for each university, meaning that the amount of practical information, such as "what kind of preparation should be done and when," tends to influence examination results. In particular, disparities in the amount of information obtained and preparation opportunities arise depending on the guidance system of each high school, access to specialized cram schools, and residential area, making the "examination structure where those with information are more advantageous" a challenge.
To resolve this situation, AOI, which operates a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection and possesses abundant knowledge and a track record of successful admissions, and Obunsha, which has provided higher education information to students nationwide through "University Entrance Pass Navi," have partnered. By combining Obunsha's "nationwide information dissemination platform" with AOI's "practical knowledge of comprehensive selection" accumulated through supporting over 3,000 students, they aim to create an environment where preparation know-how, which has previously tended to be biased towards a limited number of students, can be delivered to a wider range of students.
※1 Refer to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "FY2025 University Entrant Selection Implementation Status," etc.
2. Main Contents of this Partnership
Based on this partnership, both companies will promote the following initiatives on the educational platform, with the aim of strengthening information provision and learning support related to comprehensive selection.
※University Entrance Pass Navi × Comprehensive Selection Specialized Cram School AOI "Comprehensive Selection Special Page"
https://passnavi.obunsha.co.jp/sp/aoi/2605/
■ Establishment of a Collaboration Page
A collaboration page by both companies will be newly established within "University Entrance Pass Navi," operated by Obunsha. This page will provide entrance examination information for each university, along with preparation content utilizing the knowledge of Hana-gata Inc., which operates AOI, a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection. From basic understanding of comprehensive selection to preparation schedules by period, and specific preparation for major universities (e.g., statement of purpose, essay writing), information tailored to points where students tend to stumble will be progressively rolled out. Additionally, a document request form will be installed on the page, creating a smooth flow from information acquisition to concrete learning actions.
※Collaboration Page (partial)
■ Provision of Case Study Content Based on Successful Applicants' Real Experiences
In the "Success Stories" section within each university's basic information page on "University Entrance Pass Navi," testimonials from graduates of AOI, a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection, will be posted. Through the stories of actual successful applicants, including the background to their university choice, the reality of their exam preparation, and the challenges they overcame, students will be provided with an opportunity to concretely visualize their own examination process.
※Success Stories (partial)
■ Implementation of Information Distribution Tailored to Students' Concerns and Interests
Based on membership information from "Manabi ID" provided by Obunsha and usage data from "University Entrance Pass Navi," comprehensive selection-interested users will receive preparation content reflecting Hana-gata Inc. (AOI, a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection)'s knowledge and related information via email DM at optimal timings. This will enable the provision of practical information tailored to each student's situation, ensuring seamless access to appropriate preparation.