[Exclusive Survey] Investigation into Medical School Aspirants' 'Pre-Summer Anxiety'

Ishin-no-kai, a provider of specialized individual tutoring for medical school entrance exams, conducted an independent survey on 'pre-summer anxiety' among high school and post-graduate students aiming for medical schools.

The survey revealed that 78% of medical school aspirants feel 'anxious before summer,' with concerns primarily concentrated in three areas: 'study planning,' 'weak subjects,' and 'choosing a target school.'

This reflects a deeper 'design anxiety,' where students don't just lack study volume, but are unsure of their priorities and the extent to which they need to advance in specific subjects relative to their target schools.

### Survey Results Summary

78% of Medical School Aspirants Report 'Pre-Summer Anxiety'

When surveyed, 78% of medical school aspirants responded that they feel 'anxious about learning and exam preparation before summer.' This period serves as a crucial time for re-evaluating study plans ahead of the Common Test and individual university exams, revealing that many students feel challenged by their current study methods and progress.

Anxiety Centers on 'Study Planning,' 'Weak Subjects,' and 'Choosing a Target School'

The most common source of anxiety was 'study planning,' followed by 'weak subjects' and 'choosing a target school.' In particular, students frequently reported: 'I don't know what to prioritize,' 'I cannot determine how to handle weak subjects,' and 'I'm spreading my efforts too thin because I haven't finalized my target school.'

'Design Anxiety' Behind the Concerns

The survey found significant 'design anxiety,' where students are unsure of which subjects to prioritize or in what order to progress based on their current academic level and target school. It appears that the inability to organize study plans and strategies—rather than the volume of study itself—is driving pre-summer anxiety.

### Background of the Survey

Pre-Summer is a Critical Time for Reviewing Learning Strategy in Medical School Exams

Medical school entrance exams require long-term planning for the Common Test and individual university entrance exams. Especially before summer, it is a crucial time to review the gap between current academic ability and the target school, and to reorganize learning content and priorities.

For high school seniors and graduates, this is the time to transition from foundation building to practical exercises. Students are required to decide what to prioritize and how much time to allocate to each subject, making this a period when anxiety over 'how to advance'—the learning strategy itself—is likely to intensify.

Choosing a Target School Involves Multiple Factors Beyond Standardized Test Scores

Selecting a medical school requires weighing factors beyond academic difficulty, such as local quota systems, tuition, grading ratios between the Common Test and individual university exams, and whether interviews or essays are required.

Additionally, testing methods and required subjects differ between national, public, and private universities, and there are significant differences in question trends among universities. Consequently, when a student has not finalized their target school, their preparation often becomes dispersed, leading to anxiety about 'not seeing a clear direction despite studying hard.'

### Survey Results (1): Anxiety Regarding Study Plans

62% of Medical School Aspirants Feel Anxious About Study Plans

When asked, 'Do you currently have anxiety about your study plan?', 62% responded 'Yes.' Medical school exams require not just time but also 'design ability' due to the high number of subjects and varying exam formats.

'Unable to Execute' Outweighs 'Lack of Plan'

The survey found that students were more troubled by being 'unable to execute' plans than by 'not having a plan.'

Specifically:
- There is too much to do, and I cannot organize priorities.
- My plan collapses due to mock exam results or weak subjects.
- If I spend time on math or science, my English preparation falls behind.
- Even if I make a plan, I can't find time to review.

These responses indicate that more students are struggling with creating sustainable, executable study plans than with their total study volume.

Prioritization Based on Backwards Planning is Essential Before Summer

Medical school preparation requires organizing priorities based on the target school's grading, question trends, and current academic standing, rather than treating all subjects equally.

Especially before summer, deciding 'what to postpone' is just as important as 'what to do.' Effectively focusing on specific subjects or units based on target-oriented planning is considered the key to learning efficiency after the summer.

### Survey Results (2): Anxiety Regarding Weak Subjects

Top Weak Subjects: Math, Chemistry, English, etc.

When asked about the subject they feel most anxious about currently, the most common response was 'Math' at 48%, followed by 'Chemistry' at 31%, and 'English' at 24%.