[Definitive Guide] General Knowledge for Civil Service Exams: Summary of Question Trends and Must-Know High-Frequency Topics

Hello.
I am Yuto Takahashi.

When aiming to pass the civil service exam, the first hurdle many candidates face is the vastness of the "General Knowledge Exam (Basic Ability Test)."

"The scope is so wide that I don't know where to start..."
"It's all memorization and I feel like giving up..."

For those of you struggling with these concerns, this article will thoroughly explain the overall question trends of the general knowledge exam and the must-know high-frequency topics that determine pass or fail.
I will reveal a roadmap to efficiently earn points and secure a pass in the shortest time possible!

What is the Civil Service General Knowledge Exam? Overview and Question Trends

The general knowledge exam is a multiple-choice test administered in almost all civil service exams, regardless of whether it is for university graduate level (local senior, national general, etc.) or high school graduate level (entry level).

Its biggest characteristic is that the scope is extremely broad, covering "a total review up to high school level + intelligence and thinking skills."
Furthermore, the entire exam is broadly divided into the following two fields.

1. General Intelligence Field (Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, etc.)

2. General Knowledge Field (Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Current Affairs)

The most important trend you must know here is that "the general intelligence field accounts for about 60% of the total score."
Questions that test logical thinking and processing ability hold the key to passing, even more so than subjects that rely solely on memorization.

[Most Important] Question Trends and High-Frequency Themes in the General Intelligence Field

The outcome of the general knowledge exam is decided by "general intelligence."
It is no exaggeration to say that whoever masters this area masters the civil service exam.

① Numerical Reasoning (Numerical Reasoning, Judgment Reasoning, Spatial Awareness, Data Interpretation)

• Question Trends: This is the most important subject with the highest point allocation (sometimes accounting for 30-40% of the total) in the general knowledge exam. You cannot solve these just by memorizing formulas; they require logical thinking skills similar to puzzles or quizzes.

• Must-know high-frequency fields:

  • Numerical Reasoning: Equations, permutations/combinations/probability, speed, ratios and percentages

  • Judgment Reasoning: Propositions, order relations, creating tables for match results, liar problems

  • Data Interpretation: Quickly reading growth rates and magnitudes from numerical values in graphs and tables (*The best cost-performance source of points because the calculations are easy!)

② Reading Comprehension (Modern Japanese, English, Classical Japanese)

• Question Trends: This is the field with the second highest number of questions after mathematical numerical reasoning. Modern Japanese and English are the main components, but some exams may also include Classical Japanese or Classical Chinese.

• Must-know high-frequency fields:

  • Modern Japanese: Grasping arguments, filling in blanks, summarizing paragraphs

  • English: Long-form reading comprehension (University entrance common test level to mid-tier private university level)

[Efficiency Focused] "Must-Know" High-Frequency Fields in the General Knowledge Area

The general knowledge field may seem to have an infinite scope, but the "classic themes repeatedly targeted in past exams" are fixed.
The trick is not to dig too deep and to focus on high-frequency topics.

1. Social Sciences (Politics, Economics, Law, Society)

• Question Trends: This is the most frequently tested area among knowledge-based subjects and is a crucial field that directly links to later specialized exams, interviews, and essays.

• Must-Know High-Frequency Topics:

  • Politics: Constitution (Human Rights/Governance), Election Systems, Mechanisms of Modern Democracy

  • Economics: Mechanisms of Supply and Demand, GDP, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Business Cycles

2. Humanities (Japanese History, World History, Geography, Philosophy)

• Question Trends: Because the amount of memorization is vast, trying to cover the entire range will lead to burnout. The golden rule is to focus on eras and regions that frequently appear in past exams.

• Must-Know High-Frequency Topics:

  • Japanese/World History: Modern and Contemporary History (Post-Meiji Restoration, Industrial Revolution, around World War II)

  • Geography: Climate Classification, Global Industries and Resources, Japanese Topography and Agriculture

  • Philosophy: Modern Western Thinkers (Locke, Rousseau, Kant, etc.) and their famous quotes/keywords

3. Natural Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science)

• Question Trends: While a strategy of "skipping" is viable for those weak in science subjects, basic questions are drawn from middle and high school levels.

• Must-Know High-Frequency Topics:

  • Biology/Earth Science: Since these are easy to score points in through memorization, the human body/cell fields in biology and meteorology/plate tectonics in earth science offer good cost-performance.

  • Physics/Chemistry: It is best to focus only on standard patterns that appear every year, such as "Classification of Matter/Mole Calculations" in chemistry and "Basic Laws of Mechanics" in physics.

4. Current Affairs

• Question Trends: These are tested both as part of social science or general knowledge questions and as independent problems.Trends from the past year or so translate directly into points.

• Must-know high-frequency topics:

  • Declining birthrate and aging population, revisions to social security systems, and revisions to labor-related laws

  • Environmental issues (decarbonization and SDGs-related)

  • Keywords from major international conferences (such as the G7 Summit) and the Economic Survey of Japan or the White Paper on the Labor Economy

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[What percentage do you need to be safe?] A thorough explanation of the passing score and scoring strategy for the general knowledge section of civil service exams

"Honestly, what score do I need to get on the general knowledge section of the civil service exam to pass?"
"I'm afraid of the 'cut-off' (minimum score), so I want to know how many questions I need to get right!"

For civil service exam candidates, the "passing line (borderline)" is one of the most concerning pieces of information.

In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way the estimated passing lines and the 'cut-off' mechanism you absolutely must know for the general knowledge exam (basic ability test), from national civil service to local governments (prefectures and municipalities)!

1. Overview of the "General Knowledge" passing line for civil service exams
In conclusion, the general guideline for the passing line (borderline) of the general knowledge exam is "about 50% to 60%."

In many exams, whether or not your overall correct answer rate exceeds this line is a major turning point for passing the first stage (written exam).
Specific guidelines for each exam type are as follows.

National General Service (University Graduate Level)
Estimated passing line for general knowledge: A little over 50% to about 60%
Comprehensive evaluation with the specialized exam. Beware of the cut-off.

Local Advanced Level (Prefectures and Government-Designated Cities)
Estimated passing line for general knowledge: About 50% to 60%
The format varies by municipality, such as general knowledge only or general knowledge plus specialized subjects.

Municipal/Local Elementary Level (High School Graduate Level)
Estimated passing line for general knowledge: Around 60%
Often decided by the general knowledge exam alone, so the borderline tends to be slightly higher.

It is said that "60% is safe," but this is just a guideline for passing the first stage.
If you are aiming for a top-tier pass, you should aim for as high a score as possible.

2. The terror of the "cut-off (minimum score)" you must avoid at all costs
Even before the passing line, what civil service exam candidates must fear most is the "cut-off (minimum score system)."

It is a mechanism where, no matter how high your total score is, if your score in a specific subject is too low, you will be instantly disqualified.

• Cut-off criteria: In many cases, it is generally set at "less than 30% to 40% of the perfect score" (for example, less than 9 to 12 points out of a 30-point total).

• The trap of the cut-off: There is no end to the number of candidates who shed tears due to failures such as "I couldn't solve any numerical reasoning problems and collapsed on the general intelligence section as a whole" or "I dropped below the minimum score because I gave up on all science subjects."

Keep in mind that "it's okay to have weak areas, but creating a 'completely abandoned subject' that causes you to fall below the minimum score is absolutely a no-go."

3. Why the passing line varies significantly by municipality and exam type
There are reasons why the "general knowledge passing line" cannot be stated as a single number, such as the following.

1. Exam difficulty (fluctuations by year)

   • If that year's questions are difficult, the overall average score drops, so the passing line (borderline) also drops. Conversely, if it is too easy, the borderline jumps up.

2. Weighting ratio (general knowledge only vs. general knowledge + specialized)

   • In cases like municipal offices where the pass/fail is decided by the "general knowledge exam only," it is difficult to differentiate yourself from rivals, so the general knowledge passing line is relatively higher.

   • On the other hand, if there is a "specialized exam," you can earn points there, so the general knowledge passing line tends to be set slightly lower.

4. Three Scoring Strategies to Securely Clear the Passing Line
For those wondering, "So, how exactly can I clear the passing line?", here are three practical strategies.

① Secure minimum points in "Numerical Reasoning," which has a high point allocation
The section with the highest point allocation in the general knowledge exam is "Numerical Reasoning" (including numerical reasoning, analytical reasoning, etc.).
If you completely abandon this section, it is almost impossible to reach the 60% passing line.

You may skip difficult questions, butmake sure to prepare so that you can reliably pick up "standard, easy questions (equations and simple analytical reasoning)".

② Do not miss out on "Social Sciences" and "Data Interpretation," which are easy sources of points

• Social Sciences (Politics/Economics): Once you understand the basic rules of law and economics, it translates directly into points.

• Data Interpretation (within Numerical Reasoning): Questions involving reading graphs and tables are "the most cost-effective source of points" that you can reliably get right as long as you can perform the calculations. Make sure you never miss these.

③ Determine the balance of "discarded subjects"
Humanities (history, etc.) and Natural Sciences (physics, chemistry, etc.) cover such a wide range that you will run out of time if you try to cover everything.

A "strategic selection" ofearning points in subjects you are good at (biology, modern Japanese, etc.) while not chasing after subjects you are weak inis the key to clearing the passing line.

Summary: Check the past exam questions for your target position!
It is safe to set a goal of roughly "50% to 60%" for the passing line of the civil service general knowledge exam.

First, look at several years' worth of past questions for the exam type you are aiming for,

• "which subjects appear and how often"

• "how many questions you can likely answer with your current ability"

and start by grasping these.
Know your enemy, accumulate points efficiently, and securely clear the passing line!

[Thorough Verification] How difficult is the "General Knowledge" section of the civil service exam? Levels and points of frustration

"How difficult is the general knowledge section of the civil service exam?"
"Which is harder, this or university entrance exams?"

When considering taking the civil service exam, the thing you are most concerned about is the "difficulty of the exam," right?

In conclusion, the level of each individual question in the general knowledge exam is at the "junior high to high school foundation level."
However, because of the "breadth of the question range" and the "high number of questions relative to the time limit," the perceived difficulty is by no means low.

I will explain the difficulty of the civil service general knowledge exam, including the level, differences from university entrance exams, and points where people easily get frustrated, in an easy-to-understand way!

1. Basic difficulty of the general knowledge exam: What is the level?
The general knowledge exam (basic ability test) is conducted in a mark-sheet format.
Let's break down the difficulty of each field.

• Knowledge Fields (Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences)

  • Difficulty: High school foundation level (below to equivalent to the Common Test)

  • Most of the questions themselves can be solved if you have basic knowledge at the high school textbook level. However, since the range is wide, from Japanese history to physics and current events, it is difficult to cover everything.

• Intellectual Field (Numerical Reasoning/Verbal Comprehension)

  • Difficulty: Unique/Puzzle-like (Requires practice)

  • In particular, "Numerical Reasoning (Numerical Reasoning/Judgment Reasoning)" requires unique logical thinking and techniques that are slightly different from middle and high school mathematics. There are many problems that you won't be able to handle at first glance, and this is where candidates often struggle.

2. How is it different from university entrance exams or SPI? Comparison of difficulty
Let's get an idea of the difficulty level by comparing it with other common exams.

University Entrance Exams (General Admissions)
University entrance exams are overwhelmingly superior in terms of "depth of thinking per question."
However, since civil service exams require covering all subjects (both humanities and sciences) broadly and shallowly, the total burden is different.

Private Sector SPI
The general education section of the civil service exam has a much wider range and is more difficult.
Recently, there has been a movement to introduce "SPI/SCOA" in some local governments and national civil service exams, but general mark-sheet education exams have an overwhelmingly larger number of questions and subjects.

3. Three reasons why candidates feel it is "difficult"
Even though the problems themselves are at a basic level, why do so many people struggle and feel the difficulty is high?
The main reasons are the following three.

① Too many subjects to handle
Social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, numerical reasoning, verbal comprehension, current events...
To master all of these, a huge amount of study time is required.
For those who are "self-studying while working," this large volume of learning is the biggest hurdle.

② The wall of "Numerical Reasoning"
For those from a humanities background or those who are not good at math, numerical reasoning puzzles, geometry, and numerical reasoning become a major wall.
Because "you cannot solve them just by memorizing formulas," you need training to memorize solutions by pattern.

③ Overwhelming lack of time (a battle of speed)
Many civil service exams are a battle of speed, such as solving "around 40 questions in 2 hours."
You only have an average of 3 to 4 minutes per question.
The situation where "you understand it but couldn't solve it because you ran out of time" is also a factor that pushes up the difficulty.

4. Measures to overcome the difficulty and get a passing score
To break through the high-difficulty general education exam, you should not try to do everything perfectly head-on.

• Do not aim for a perfect score in all subjects

  1. The passing line is 50% to 60% of the total. You can "strategically guess" by boldly discarding subjects you are bad at (such as physics or chemistry) and earning points reliably in subjects you are good at or frequent topics.

• Thoroughly cycle through past questions

  1. A major feature of civil service exams is that "problems with patterns similar to past questions" are repeatedly asked. Rather than starting with new reference books, cycling through past questions three times to memorize the "solutions" into your body can significantly lower the difficulty of passing.

Summary: Let's conquer it with measures tailored to your situation!
The general education section of the civil service exam is a difficulty level that can be reliably conquered with the right effort if you can master "techniques in the intellectual field" and "efficient selection of the knowledge field."

Identify your strengths and weaknesses (humanities, sciences, etc.) and proceed with past question practice systematically!

Pass by self-study while working! A 6-month schedule for "Civil Service Exam/General Education" for working adults

"I want to aim for a civil service job while working, but is it really possible to make it in time with self-study?"
"I'm busy every day, and I don't know how much study time I should secure..."

Self-study for civil service exams while working, especially for the "general education exam" with a wide range, becomes a battle against time.
However, if you work efficiently by calculating backward from a limited six-month (approx. 6 months) schedule, it is quite possible to aim for a passing score even with self-study!

We will thoroughly explain the "monthly roadmap" and "time management tips" for working adults to conquer general education in six months while working.

1. The major premise for passing while working: Goals and study time
For working adults to grab a pass in six months, you need strategic use of time, not just sitting at a desk blindly.

• Target line for passing: About 50% to 60% of the total (do not aim for a perfect score, reliably take the questions you can solve)

• Estimated study time required: Average 2-3 hours per day = Total of about 400 to 500 hours

• Example of a weekday routine:

  • Morning activity (before work): 1 hour (solve at least one "numerical reasoning" problem while your mind is sharp)

  • Evening (after returning home): 1 to 1.5 hours (reading textbooks and memorizing knowledge-based subjects/current events)

• Example of a weekend routine:

  • Spend 3 to 5 hours on one of the weekend days doing "focused past exam practice"

2. [Six-Month Roadmap] Monthly Schedule
We will power through the six-month period by dividing it into three phases: "Input," "Output," and "Final Preparation."

[Months 1-2] Foundation Building Phase (Focus on Input)
This is a period to focus on "numerical reasoning," which has the highest point allocation, and "social sciences," which serves as the foundation.

• Priority subjects: Numerical reasoning (numerical inference, logical reasoning), social sciences (politics, economics)

• What to do:

  • For numerical reasoning, first understand the simple, standard solution patterns (the golden rule is to touch it a little every day).

  • For social sciences, get a rough overview of how politics and economics work.

• Tip for working professionals: During this period, make it your top priority to "build the habit of sitting at your desk every day, even if you cannot find a large block of time."

[Months 3-4] Application/Expansion Phase (Full-scale Past Exam Practice)
This is a period to broaden your knowledge while using past exams to transform it into "the ability to solve problems."

• Priority subjects: Reading comprehension, high-frequency fields in humanities and natural sciences, data interpretation

• To-do:

  • Start working through past exam question collections (problem sets) in earnest. Aim for an 'Input:Output = 3:7' ratio.

  • Master the methods for solving 'Data Interpretation' questions to ensure they become a reliable source of points.

  • For Humanities (Japanese History, World History, etc.), focus your preparation on eras you are strong in and the frequently appearing modern and contemporary history.

• Tip for working professionals: Do not spend hours agonizing over problems you don't understand. Follow the cycle of 'Read the explanation to understand' -> 'Retry the problem a few days later'.

[Month 5] Final Polish and Overcoming Weaknesses Phase (Strengthening Practical Skills)
This is a period to use mock exams to clarify your weaknesses and get a feel for the speed required on the actual exam.

• Priority Subjects: Comprehensive review of all subjects, final sweep of current affairs

• To-do:

  • Take mock exams in a practical format (taking them at home is fine) to get a sense of time management (e.g., 40 questions in 2 hours).

  • Go through your 'personal review notebook' containing only the questions you got wrong multiple times.

  • Check summary books on recent current affairs and news to solidify your knowledge.

• Tip for working professionals: Even if your scores are stagnant in some areas, do not spread yourself too thin by starting new topics now; focus on improving the accuracy of the problems you have already covered.

[Month 6] Final Adjustment Phase (Mental and Physical Condition Management)
This is an adjustment period to ensure you can perform at 100% on the day of the exam, without trying to cram in new knowledge.

• To-do:

  • Review notes that summarize high-accuracy past questions and frequently appearing formulas or key points.

  • Align your daily rhythm with the time of day of the actual exam to ensure you are in peak physical condition.

• Tips for working professionals: It is easy to feel anxious, but believe in yourself for having made it this far while working, and make sure to get enough sleep before the big day.

3. Three tips for working professionals to succeed in self-study while working

1. Use "spare time" instead of "long breaks" as your weapon

   • If you add up small pockets of time, such as using smartphone apps or Q&A sets on your commute, or 20 minutes during your lunch break, it adds up to nearly an hour a day. Use this time for memorizing knowledge-based subjects (current affairs and social sciences).

2. Abandon "perfectionism"

   • If you try to cover every subject perfectly, you will definitely burn out as a busy working professional. Making bold choices about what to discard (prioritizing cost-performance), such as "skipping physics and chemistry" or "not doing difficult numerical reasoning problems," is your lifeline.

3. Prepare an escape route for when your motivation drops

   • On days when you are too tired to study, don't force yourself to sit at your desk; instead, try to avoid having a "zero-study day" by doing things like just watching YouTube videos explaining civil service exam topics.

Summary: Grab your passing score with six months of planned effort!
Self-study while working is not easy, butif your schedule of "what to do by when" is clear, you can sufficiently reach a passing score (50-60%) even within a limited period of six months.

"Because I am busy, I will use my time efficiently." Why not take a step forward starting today with this mindset?
I am rooting for your challenge to become a civil servant with all my heart!

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Study methods and recommended reference books for liberal arts graduates to overcome "Numerical Reasoning" and turn it into a scoring source

"In the general knowledge section of the civil service exam, numerical reasoning always holds me back..."
"Because I'm from a liberal arts background, I have a rejection reaction just seeing math numbers..."

For civil service exam candidates, especially those from a liberal arts background, the biggest hurdle is "Numerical Reasoning (Numerical Reasoning, Judgment Reasoning, Spatial Awareness, Data Interpretation)."
Many people struggle because they forget formulas or don't know how to approach problems they see for the first time.

However, please rest assured.
Numerical reasoning is not a test solved by "arithmetic or math sense," but a test of "techniques for mastering the puzzles and rules unique to civil service exams."

I will thoroughly explain concrete study methods and recommended reference books for liberal arts graduates to break free from their苦手 (weakness) in numerical reasoning and turn it into a "scoring source"!

1. Why do liberal arts graduates stumble on "Numerical Reasoning"?
First, let's correctly understand the reasons why liberal arts graduates have a sense of weakness.

• Trying to solve it by "memorizing math formulas." Numerical reasoning is not a test of grinding through complex junior high school math equations. It is closer to a "thinking puzzle" where you derive answers logically using diagrams, tables, and Venn diagrams.

• Freezing up on problems seen for the first time. This is a pattern where you assume "a problem I've never seen before = I can't solve it" and give up before reading the explanation.

• Overwhelming lack of practice. Because you go into the actual exam without knowing the patterns (types) of how to solve them, you run out of time.

2. Four study methods for liberal arts students to make numerical reasoning a "scoring source"
No special math sense is required at all.
If you proceed with your studies in the following four steps, your scores will steadily improve.

① Memorize "solution patterns" (don't struggle on your own)
The biggest feature of numerical reasoning is that the outcome is decided by "how many drawers of problem patterns you have."
Freezing for more than 5 minutes on a problem you see for the first time is a waste of time.
The iron rule for liberal arts graduates is, "If you don't understand a problem after thinking for 3 minutes, look at the explanation (solution) immediately."
Start by memorizing the steps (types) of how to solve them.

② Identify and narrow down by "cost-performance" for each subject
Numerical reasoning is broadly divided into four parts.
Don't try to perfect everything; set priorities according to your strengths and weaknesses.

• [Top Priority/Super Scoring Source] Judgment Reasoning & Data Interpretation

  • Judgment Reasoning: Problems involving liars or creating tables for match results can be solved by anyone for guaranteed points once you learn the rules. Highly recommended for humanities students!

  • Data Interpretation: You just need to read values from graphs and tables. Since many calculations are simple, it is the most cost-effective field you absolutely must prepare for.

• [Strict Selection Required] Numerical Reasoning & Spatial Awareness

  • Topics in Numerical Reasoning like 'equations,' 'work problems,' and 'speed' appear frequently, but it is an effective strategy to boldly discard difficult application problems and focus on securing points from basic problems.

3. Engage with it 'a little every day' (Make it a habit)
Numerical processing is similar to memorizing English vocabulary or strength training.
Rather than doing 5 hours all at once on the weekend, it is easier for your brain to retain information if you 'spend 30 minutes every day on 2-3 problems.'
Utilize your spare time in the morning to keep your sense for the problems sharp.

4. Review with a focus on 'reproducibility'
Just reading the explanation and thinking 'I get it!' is not enough to solve problems on the actual exam.
The process is not complete until you hide the explanation and check if you can 'solve it smoothly from start to finish on a blank sheet of paper using only your own hands' (reproducibility check).

3. Recommended Reference Books and Problem Sets for Humanities Students
Here are the classic and most effective reference book paths that allow humanities students to start from scratch and step up without difficulty.

Step 1: Start here! Introductory books to eliminate your allergy

• Recommended Title: 'Atsuko Hatanaka's Numerical Processing Made Surprisingly Easy' (KADOKAWA)

  • Features: Written by Atsuko Hatanaka, a god-like figure in civil service exam preparation. The explanations are incredibly thorough, and it is written so that even those with a humanities allergy can easily understand it through 'diagrams and illustrations.' It is the perfect first book to read.

Step 2: Solidify your scoring ability with classic past exam practice

• Recommended Title: 'Civil Service Exam New Super Past Question Seminar (Abbreviation: Super Past) Numerical Reasoning/Judgment Reasoning' (Jitsumu Kyoiku Shuppan)

  • Features: This is the bible used by most civil service examinees. It is extremely comprehensive, and if you master this one book, you can easily clear the passing line for the actual exam.

  • Tip for use: At first, skip the difficult application problems and go through 'only the basic problems (A-level)' 2 or 3 times firstto drill the solution methods into your body.

Summary: Numerical processing will definitely become your weapon through 'correct effort'!
For humanities students, numerical processing might look like a towering wall at first.
However, the patterns of the questions are fixed, and if you use the right reference books to input the 'templates for solutions,' you will definitely be able to solve them smoothly.

Once you turn numerical processing from a 'subject that holds you back' into 'your own strong scoring source,' passing the civil service exam becomes a realistic goal.
Why not open your first basic book today and start the habit of solving a few problems every day?
I am rooting for your challenge with all my heart!

[Useful for both Humanities and Sciences] Solution techniques to get closer to answering all 'Reading Comprehension' questions on the civil service exam

'I solve the Japanese reading comprehension in general knowledge by intuition, but I can't read English at all...'
'I run out of time and just guess on the reading comprehension section.'

In the general knowledge (basic ability test) of the civil service exam, 'Reading Comprehension (Modern Japanese, English, Classical Japanese, and Kanbun)' accounts for a large weight, second only to numerical processing.

While it is a valuable source of points for humanities students who are weak at numerical processing, it is also a field where many science students struggle, saying 'I run out of time just reading the long passages.'
However, reading comprehension is not just 'a book report for Japanese class,' but a subject that can be conquered because there are clear 'solution techniques (templates)'.

I will thoroughly explain practical solution techniques to turn reading comprehension into a stable source of points!

1. Overview of 'Reading Comprehension' in the civil service exam and the number of questions
First, let's grasp the question trends to know your enemy.

• Approximate total number of questions:

  • Out of the liberal arts exam (about 40 questions in total),about 7 to 10 questionscome from reading comprehension.

  • Breakdown: Modern Japanese (3-4 questions), English (3-5 questions), Classical Japanese/Kanbun (about 0-1 question)

• Main characteristic:

  • Unlike numerical reasoning, complex formulas and calculations are not required, but your 'processing ability to accurately grasp the logical structure of difficult texts within the time limit' is tested.

2. [Modern Japanese Section] 3 Steps to Quickly Identify the 'Author's Argument'
In Modern Japanese, if you choose answers based on intuition, you will fall into traps by thinking 'this feels about right.'
The trick is to solve them mechanically using the following steps.

① Always mark 'conjunctions' and 'referential words'
When reading a text, do not just read aimlessly; use a pen to mark conjunctions (however, therefore, because, etc.) and referential words (this, that, etc.).

• After 'however': The author's most important point (argument) follows.

• After 'therefore/in short': The conclusion or summary follows.

② Read the 'questions' before reading the main text
Instead of starting to read the text immediately,check 'what is being asked (e.g., filling in blanks, content matching)' first.
If you read the text with the goal of the question in mind, you can extract only the necessary information like a sniper.

③ See through the 'paraphrasing trap' using the process of elimination
Many incorrect options have characteristics such as 'using words found in the text but changing the meaning or nuance' or 'making extreme assertions (e.g., 'it is absolutely...').'
Calmly compare how the expressions in the text are paraphrased and eliminate them using the process of elimination.

3. [English Section] 'Paragraph Reading' to leverage your high school English foundation
The less confident you are in English, the more likely you are to self-destruct by trying to translate every single word perfectly from beginning to end.
For civil service exam English, a more pragmatic reading style is sufficient to compete.

① Dedicate yourself to the first paragraph
Since many are excerpts from academic papers or essays,the author's argument (topic sentence) is almost always written 'near the end of the first paragraph.'
The biggest point is to grasp 'what this article is talking about as a whole' in the first paragraph.

② Follow only the 'beginning and end' of each paragraph
In a long text, not every English sentence has the same level of importance.
Even just checking the 'first sentence' and 'last sentence' of each paragraph allows you to read on without losing the flow of the story or the logical development (the paragraph reading method).

③ Do not stop for words you do not know
Even if you encounter difficult English words you are not familiar with in the text,it is enough to understand whether it has a 'positive or negative meaning' from the overall context.
It is strictly forbidden to stop and waste time just because you do not know the meaning of one word.

4. The secret to 'time management' to finish within the time limit
The most common failure in reading comprehension is the pattern of 'reading too carefully and running out of time for the numerical reasoning and knowledge questions later.'

• Estimated time per question: For both Modern Japanese and English,about 4 to 5 minutes per questionis the guideline.

• Tips for the order of solving:

  • There are those who prefer to solve reading comprehension right at the start of the exam when their brain is freshest,

  • and conversely, those who save it for after numerical reasoning as a warm-up, butalways set a 'cut-loss rule' of 'if you spend more than 5 minutes on one question, move on to the next one'.

Summary: Reading comprehension improves by repeating the 'correct problem-solving rules'!
Reading comprehension is not a test of 'sense' or 'language ability', but rather a test of 'the technique of seeing through the patterns of traps set by the examiner'.

Through practicing past exam questions, read the explanations carefully to understand 'why this option is correct and why that one is wrong,' and solidify your own problem-solving rules.
Once you can consistently earn points, your overall score rate for general knowledge will become much more stable!

Where should you discard questions in Natural Sciences and Humanities, which have too broad a range? The 'Best Cost-Performance Strategy for Discarding Questions' for Civil Service Exams

'The general knowledge section of the civil service exam has such a broad range for both natural and human sciences that it's impossible...' 'My head feels like it's going to explode if I try to memorize everything!'

In the general knowledge section (Basic Ability Test) of the civil service exam, what drives many examinees to despair is the vastness of 'Natural Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science)' and 'Humanities (Japanese History, World History, Geography, Philosophy, Literature).'
It's like reviewing all the textbooks from high school, so there is never enough time.

To conclude, if you are aiming for a passing score (50-60%) with limited time, the correct approach for these two fields is not to 'cover everything' but to 'thoroughly discard (take a gamble on)' them.

I will explain the 'best cost-performance strategy for discarding questions' to grab a pass, and the strictly selected points you must defend at all costs!

1. Why is 'studying the entire range' taboo in civil service exams?
The reason you shouldn't try to touch every subject when you only have a few months until the exam is simple.

• The cost-performance is terrible. For example, even if you spend hours memorizing difficult mechanics in physics or obscure medieval dynasties in world history, at most one or zero questions will appear on the actual exam. The 'score rate' does not match the 'study time spent' at all.

• It takes time away from other important subjects (Numerical Reasoning and Social Sciences). The time for preparing for 'Numerical Reasoning' and 'Social Sciences,' which have high point allocations and cannot be missed, will be reduced, increasing the risk of a total collapse in results.

The civil service exam is not a 'test aiming for a perfect score,' but a 'test to exceed the borderline.'
Having the courage to decisively discard questions is the shortest path to passing.

2. [Natural Sciences Edition] What should you discard and what should you pick up?
About 5 questions in total are asked in Natural Sciences, but the iron rule for those who are not from a science background is to 'discard everything' or 'cherry-pick only the parts you are good at.'

Top candidates for discarding (discard questions)

• Complex calculation problems in physics and applied mechanics. It is easy to forget formulas and trigger calculation errors, so if you are bad at physics, it is safer to skip them entirely.

• Organic chemistry and complex chemical reaction equations in chemistry. The amount of memorization is large, and it takes time to understand structural formulas, so the cost-performance is poor.

Fields with 'good cost-performance' that you definitely want to pick up

• Biology & Earth Science

  • Reason: Many questions can be solved just by memorizing knowledge, and they can be handled at the basic junior high and high school level.

  • Target: Biology's 'cells, genetics, human body (hormones, etc.)' and Earth Science-heavy 'weather, plates, celestial bodies' are sources of points because past question patterns are often reused.

• 'Classification of substances' and 'basics of mole calculation' in chemistry

  • Even if you discard chemistry as a whole, the very first basic parts (three states of matter and basic mole calculation) have fixed patterns, making them easy to turn into points even with last-minute preparation.

3. [Humanities Edition] What should you discard and what should you pick up?
Humanities is the field where your 'discarding skills' are tested the most, as the range is endless, including Japanese history, world history, geography, philosophy, and art.

Top candidates for discarding (discard questions)

• "Ancient, Medieval, and Niche Cultural History" in World and Japanese History: Memorizing minute details of Kamakura-period culture or the names of dynasties from the Ancient Orient in world history is too much effort for the low probability of those questions appearing.

• Literature and Arts: Because the frequency of these questions is low and the scope is too broad, as a general rule, these should be your lowest priority for preparation.

High-Value Fields You Definitely Want to Pick Up

• "Modern and Contemporary History (Meiji Restoration to Post-WWII)" in Japanese and World History

  • Reason: These are easily linked to modern politics, economics, social sciences, and current events, making them the golden zone with overwhelmingly high question frequency. You must absolutely not miss these.

• "Climate, Industry, Resources, and Topography" in Geography

  • Unlike history, geography requires less rote memorization, and you can score consistently if you understand certain rules (such as Köppen climate classification or the distribution of agriculture and industry in major countries).

• "Modern Western Thought" in Philosophy

  • Combinations of major thinkers like Locke, Rousseau, Kant, and Marx with their "famous quotes, books, and keywords" have low memorization costs and are a classic source of points that appear every year in various forms.

4. Three Iron Rules for a Successful "Discard Strategy"
To have the courage to narrow down your subjects, keep the following rules in mind.

1. Discard by "Theme," Not by "Subject": Instead of discarding entire subjects, such as "I'll discard all of physics but do biology" or "I'll discard ancient history but do modern history," have the mindset of cherry-picking only the good parts (high-frequency and easy topics).

2. Look at Three Years of Past Exams and Only Do "What Appears Every Year": Go through the past exams for the specific test you are aiming for, and decide with courage not to read the corresponding pages in your textbook (i.e., treat them as discard questions) for anything other than "themes that have appeared consecutively in the last three years."

3. Never Do "I'm Anxious So I'll Start a New Range" Right Before the Exam: It is a mistake to panic one month before the exam and think, "Maybe I should expand my world history range..." Focus only on improving the accuracy of the "carefully selected fields you decided to do."

Summary: Courageous "Selection" Attracts Success!
Trying to master all of natural science and humanities is not a shortcut to passing; it is a recipe for burnout.

"Efficiently pick up only the good parts that are likely to appear on the exam from a wide range, and boldly discard the rest."

This decisiveness and strategy is the greatest secret to breaking through the general knowledge portion of the civil service exam, even while working or when you have little time.
Review your study plan and start earning points wisely!

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Dramatically Increase Your General Knowledge Score in the Last Month Before the Exam! A Final Manual for the Last Sprint

"There is only one month left until the actual civil service exam, but my past exam scores aren't going up at all..."
"The range is too wide, and I feel like I'm going to panic about what to do from now on!"

The month right before the exam is the time when your mental state is most drained by anxiety and worry.
However, it is not too late to give up!
It is entirely possible to dramatically increase your actual score just by changing how you "spend" this last month and your "study priorities".

I will thoroughly explain the "Explosive Growth Final Manual" that you absolutely must do in the last month, step by step!

1. The Biggest Iron Rule for the Last Month: Do Not Open Any "New Reference Books"!
As the exam approaches, you will get anxious and want to buy "new thin problem sets" or "new reference books for last-minute preparation," but this is absolutely NG.

• NG Behavior in the Final Period: Trying to increase knowledge halfway by getting your hands on new books.

• The correct approach for the final stretch: Use only the 'past exam question collections' and 'notebook of incorrect answers' you have been using until they are worn out, and go through them repeatedly.

The human brain cannot retain new information if it is crammed in one after another during the final stretch.
Filling the 'gaps' in the knowledge you have already input and ensuring you can retrieve the methods to solve problems correctly without errors is the top priority for this final month.

2. [Weekly Schedule] How to sprint through the remaining 4 weeks?
Here are the weekly focus points to make the most of the remaining 4 weeks.

[Week 1] Identifying Weaknesses & Final Confirmation of 'Discardable Questions'

• To-do:

  • Try taking a full practice test using the most recent past exam questions from your target institution, using the same time limit as the actual exam (e.g., 2 hours).

  • Among the 'questions you couldn't solve,' ruthlessly categorize them by asking, 'Should I continue to spend time on this?'

  • For difficult applied problems or overly deep knowledge-based topics, make the bold decision here to treat them as 'discardable questions' and completely remove them from your mind.

[Week 2] Solidifying Scoring Sources in 'Numerical Reasoning & Social Sciences'

• To-do:

  • Review all past exam questions for 'Numerical Reasoning (Judgment Reasoning/Data Interpretation)' and 'Social Sciences (Politics/Economics),' which carry high point values.

  • Check if you are in a state where 'the solution comes to mind the moment you see the problem.' If there are problems for which you have forgotten the solution method, read the explanations and immediately drill the pattern into your head.

[Week 3] Cramming 'Current Affairs' and 'High-Frequency Memorization Topics'

• To-do:

  • Review all keywords related to current affairs from the past year or so (White Papers, international conferences, legal amendments, etc.). Current affairs are the biggest target area where knowledge crammed in at the last minute can easily translate directly into points.

  • Review your summary notes on 'classic themes that are guaranteed to appear (such as modern history or basic biology)' in Humanities and Natural Sciences.

[Week 4 (The Final Week)] Exam Simulation & Mental Preparation

• What to do:

  • Do not solve any new problems. Review only the problems you have already answered correctly to cultivate the 'sense for avoiding careless mistakes on the actual exam.'

  • Align your daily rhythm perfectly with your departure time and exam start time (create a morning-oriented brain).

3. Three Practical Techniques to 'Explosively Increase' Your Score

① Eliminate points lost on 'Accuracy Rate A/B (Basic Problems)'
Do not try to solve difficult applied problems at the last minute.
The fastest way to increase your score is to ensure younever miss the 'high accuracy rate (problems most candidates can solve)' questionson the actual exam, as ranked in past question collections.
You can easily clear the passing line (50-60%) just by picking up basic problems without errors.

② Make 'Data Interpretation' and 'Reading Comprehension' a daily routine
Numerical reasoning 'Data Interpretation' and 'Reading Comprehension' are the areas where you can most easily improve your score even at the last minute.

• Do not let your calculation speed for data interpretation drop

• To ensure your reading rhythm for modern Japanese and English passages does not get disrupted,make sure to solve 1-2 problems every day to warm up your 'brain engine'as a habit.

③ Train your body to master 'time allocation for the actual exam'
Fix your 2-hour time management strategy for the actual exam now,such as 'whether to solve problems in order' or 'whether to save numerical reasoning for last'.
When solving past questions, always use a timer and repeat the practice to prevent the biggest failure on the actual day: 'running out of time and missing easy problems.'

4. Secrets to Maintaining Mental Health and Physical Condition in the Final Month

• Know that 'everyone else is panicking too.' At this time, all other candidates are anxious. There is no need to feel like 'only I can't do it.' Believe in the effort you have built up so far.

• Sleep deprivation is your greatest enemy. It is far riskier to cut back on sleep and lower your brain's performance than to 'cling to your desk late at night to memorize things.' Get at least 6-7 hours of sleep to keep your brain functioning at 100% on the day of the exam.

Summary: Intensive 'review' in the last month will lead you to success!
The final month before the exam is not the time to learn new things, but ratherthe time to maximize your 'ability to reliably turn what you have done so far into points'.

If you thoroughly review past questions, decide which ones to discard, and repeat simulations of the actual exam, your score can still jump significantly in the month from here on out.
Don't give up until the end, give it your all, and grab that passing grade!
I'm rooting for you!

Where do current affairs questions for civil service exams come from? High-frequency themes from the last year and efficient memorization methods

'Civil service exam current affairs questions cover such a wide range that I don't know how to prepare...' 'I watch the news, but what should I memorize to get points?'

In general knowledge for civil service exams, 'current affairs' are always asked as social science or independent questions.
Although current affairs do not have a large weight in the total score,they are the 'strongest source of points to reliably pick up that one point that determines pass or fail,' and are also a super important field directly linked to topics for interviews and essay exams.

I will thoroughly explain the recent high-frequency themes likely to be targeted in the exam and efficient memorization methods that you can use even while working!

1. Where do civil service exam current affairs questions come from? [5 High-Frequency Themes from the Last Year]
The iron rule of current affairs questions is that they are asked from major social news that occurred 'around one year to half a year before the exam date.'
In particular, the following 5 genres are almost certain to be targeted in some exam.

① Declining birthrate and aging population / Reform of social security systems

• Points likely to be targeted:

  • New legal amendments related to measures against the declining birthrate, such as trends in child-rearing support fund systems and the expansion of child allowances.

  • Pension system reforms (such as the macroeconomic slide and expansion of coverage for employees' insurance).

  • Review of medical and nursing care systems.

• Reason: This is the biggest social issue Japan faces and is directly linked to the work of civil servants, making it a theme of great interest to question setters.

(2) Environmental and Energy Issues (Decarbonization/SDGs)

• Key focus areas:

  • GX (Green Transformation) and targets for the adoption of renewable energy.

  • Greenhouse gas reduction targets (decisions made at international conferences such as COP).

  • Disaster prevention and mitigation measures related to extreme weather and natural disasters.

• Reason: Global trends are easily linked to Japanese policy, making it a standard topic for creating multiple-choice questions.

(3) Economic and Business Trends (Countermeasures against rising prices/Monetary policy)

• Key focus areas:

  • Changes in Bank of Japan monetary policy (transition to a world with interest rates, such as ending negative interest rates and raising rates).

  • Government economic measures, such as subsidies and tax cuts in response to soaring prices.

  • Key terms from the 'Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform (Basic Policies)' and 'White Papers' (e.g., White Paper on the Labor Economy, White Paper on an Aging Society).

• Reason: It is a staple for multiple-choice questions because it is easy to combine with legal issues in economics and social sciences.

(4) Major International Relations and International Conferences (Summits/Diplomacy)

• Key points likely to be targeted:

  • Host locations and key themes of joint statements for the G7 Summit (Group of Seven).

  • Background of intensifying international conflicts (such as the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East) and the international community's response.

  • New Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) concluded by Japan and major diplomatic topics.

• Reason: Because facts such as "who decided what and where" are clear, it is easy to present them as knowledge-based questions.

5. Labor, Work Style Reform, and Legal Amendments

• Key points likely to be targeted:

  • Trends in the revised Labor Standards Act and equal pay for equal work.

  • New laws such as the expansion of childcare leave benefits and the new Freelance Protection Act.

  • Expansion of acceptance of foreign human resources to resolve labor shortages (such as the transition to the training and employment system).

• Reason: It is frequently used in the "society" field of social sciences, as well as in the context of motivation for applying and policy formulation during interviews.

2. Score Points Efficiently! 3 Memorization and Preparation Methods for Current Affairs Questions
Here are study methods to efficiently earn points from the vast range of news.

① Narrow down to one commercially available "Quick Current Affairs" or "Current Affairs Summary Book"
Summarizing daily news in a notebook yourself is absolutely a no-go (it takes too much time and is the worst in terms of cost-performance).
Buying just one standard reference book dedicated to civil service exams (such as "Quick Current Affairs" (Jitsumu Kyoiku Shuppan)) and reading it until it falls apart is the shortest path to success.
Don't try unnecessary things; trust that one book.

② Memorize "keywords" from white papers and cabinet decisions as a set
Current affairs question options are composed of combinations of "who (which agency)," "for what purpose," and "what kind of figures/policies were set forth."

• Example: "According to the XX White Paper, the percentage of XX has reached a record high."

• Example: "In the government's new policy, when was the target achievement year set?" Marking these as "sets of keywords, numbers, and subjects" is an input method that leads directly to points.

③ Utilize apps and Q&A formats during spare time
Memorizing current affairs is not something you do while sitting at a desk for a long time.
Use the time on the train during your commute or 15 minutes before going to bed to flip through the Q&A apps included with current affairs workbooks or pages compatible with red sheets; by "exposing your brain to them repeatedly," they will naturally stick.

Summary: "Cramming right before" yields the best results for current affairs!
Because the scope of current affairs questions for civil service exams is limited to the last year, it is a "lucrative field" where the more intensively you prepare right before the exam, the easier it is to turn into points.

Don't spread yourself too thin; focus on a dedicated summary book and firmly grasp the trends of major legal amendments and international conferences.
Clear current affairs smartly within your limited time and pull yourself across the passing line!

Summary: Learning Priorities for Getting a Passing Score in Limited Time

If you try to perfect everything in the general education section of the civil service exam, you will burn out.
Proceeding with your studies in the following order of priority is the shortest route to passing.

【The Golden Pyramid of Learning】

1. Top Priority: Numerical Reasoning & Reading Comprehension (Touch on them even a little every day)

2. Next Best: Social Sciences (Politics/Economics) & Recent Current Affairs Questions

3. Selective Preparation: Humanities & Natural Sciences (Choose based on your strengths/weaknesses and the point allocation of your desired position)

By being clear about "what to discard and where to definitely score," grab your passing score efficiently! I'm rooting for you!

A must-read for those aiming to pass on their first attempt while working! We have summarized the characteristics of the 7 major companies and how to choose a school you won't regret.