Seminar on University Entrance Exam Strategies in the Era of Rapidly Increasing IB-Accredited Schools, Exceeding 260 Nationwide

IB Academy, a specialized online tutoring service for the International Baccalaureate (IB) operated by Linksenpai Inc. (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shiori Yoshida), conducted an online seminar for IB students and their parents on the theme of the rapid increase in IB-accredited schools and the changing university entrance exam landscape.

At the seminar, IB graduate tutors from IB Academy presented on the latest trends concerning the over 260 accredited and candidate schools as of 2025, the evolving reality of exam preparation, and the expanding use of IB scores for domestic university admissions. Numerous participants commented that they 'received a lot of information they didn't know before and got concrete advice.'

IB education is rapidly expanding in Japan, significantly changing the university entrance exam environment. IB Academy continuously disseminates information to help IB students and parents prepare with accurate data.

Seminar Overview Date: Friday, March 13, 2026 Format: Online (Zoom) Audience: IB students, parents, and those considering enrolling in an IB-accredited school Fee: Free Number of Participants: Approximately 100 Speaker: Shiori Yoshida, CEO of IB Academy

Main Contents and Themes of the Seminar

Why will the number of IB-accredited schools continue to increase beyond 2025? The Japanese government, in its 'Growth Strategy 2021' (cabinet decision, June 2021), set a goal to increase the number of IB-accredited and candidate schools to over 200, a target achieved in March 2023. The momentum has not slowed, with the total number of accredited and candidate schools exceeding 260 as of 2025.

The main factors behind this rapid increase include: - Continued active promotion and subsidies for IB education by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). - The proliferation of the 'Japanese DP' (a program allowing some subjects to be taken in Japanese), lowering the barrier for traditional Japanese schools to adopt the IB curriculum. - A growing societal demand for globally-minded talent and increased interest in the IB from parents and students. - The expansion of admissions at domestic universities (through comprehensive selection, entrance exams for returnee students, etc.) that utilize IB scores. - New program developments are also accelerating, such as Nagano Nihon University High School obtaining Japan's first IB CP (Career-related Programme) accreditation in March 2025.

The Changing Reality of 'Exam Preparation' with the Increase in IB-Accredited Schools The increase in accredited schools has significantly altered the landscape for IB entrance exams. IB Academy notes the following key changes:

① Intensified Competition and the Importance of School-Specific Preparation While the choice of IB-accredited schools was once limited, the increase in their number has led to a diversification of preferred schools. However, popular schools in urban areas tend to attract a concentration of applicants, making preparation tailored to each school's specific trends even more crucial.

② Full-Scale Use of IB Scores for Domestic University Admissions Over 100 domestic universities, including the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Keio University, and Waseda University, are implementing or considering entrance exams that utilize IB scores. Once seen primarily as a qualification for overseas universities, the IB is now a powerful option for domestic higher education, requiring study plans that strategically aim for target scores.

③ Expansion of the Japanese DP and Complexity of Subject Selection The Japanese DP is offered at 37 schools nationwide (as of 2025), making the IB more accessible to students who may not be fully confident in their English abilities. On the other hand, the increased variety in subject combinations and language choices has made it more important to receive advice on selecting the optimal subjects aligned with future career paths.

④ The Growing Need for Specialized Support Compared to the increase in the number of schools, there is still an absolute shortage of instructors well-versed in IB education. The importance of specialized support capable of addressing IB-specific components like the IA, EE, and TOK is expected to grow even further.

Data on IB Schools in Japan (2024-2025 data)

IB Academy's Initiatives In this rapidly changing IB educational environment, IB Academy has established the following systems to ensure every student receives correct information and appropriate support: - 1-on-1 tutoring with over 150 IB graduate instructors (covering all subjects). - School-specific preparation reflecting the latest entrance exam trends of each IB-accredited school. - Specialized guidance for IB-specific assignments like the IA, EE, and TOK. - Advice on application strategies using IB scores for both domestic and international universities. - Regular updates to a helpful blog that provides the latest information for IB students and parents.

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