FY2025 Administrative Scrivener Exam Success Story | Self-Study First-Try Pass, 35-Year-Old Mom of Two

On January 28, 2026, the results for the FY2025 Administrative Scrivener Exam were announced.

The result was a pass 🌸

I am a 35-year-old mother of two. My youngest child has a chronic illness, and I took the exam while experiencing two surgeries and three hospital stays as an accompanying parent. I did not attend a prep school and was able to pass on my first attempt through self-study!

That said, it is not as if I had any special talent or an environment where I could concentrate on studying for long hours. My daily study time was about 1 to 2 hours. There were many days when things did not go according to plan, and I felt like giving up many times.

Even so, I was able to achieve success after about 1 year and 3 months of effort.

In this article, I will share the study methods I actually used and the reasons I was able to pass, for those who have chosen self-study while facing similar time and environmental constraints.

My (35-year-old, mom of two, self-study) exam environment

Basic Information

• Age: 35

• Family: Husband, two children (5 and 2 years old)

• Study Period: August 2024 to November 2025 (approx. 1 year and 3 months)

• Study Style: Complete self-study (no prep schools or correspondence courses)

Constraints

My youngest child has a congenital chronic illness, and during my study period, I experienced two surgeries and three hospital stays as an accompanying parent. During hospital stays, I sometimes studied at the bedside; there was no desk, and it was not an environment where I could concentrate.

On weekdays, I studied during the early morning or night while the children were sleeping, or during their nap times. Since I prioritized time with my family on weekends, I could barely study at all.

My average daily study time was about 1 to 2 hours. Even on busy days, 3 hours was my limit.

I was interested in prep schools and correspondence courses, but due to the time constraints mentioned above, I had no choice but to choose self-study. I could not secure time to commute, and plans often changed due to my child's health or hospitalizations. Self-study, which allowed me to proceed at my own pace, suited me.

Precisely because I was not in an environment where I could focus solely on studying, I valued “accumulating even short periods of time” and “preparation before studying” above all else.

The reason I was able to pass on the first try was “preparation before starting to study”

As a result, I passed on my first attempt, but looking back, the reason is clear. It is
that I spent time on preparation before I started studying.

Self-study is lonely. No one manages your progress, and there are no peers to encourage you. Because I knew it would be a long battle, I seriously thought about "how to maintain the motivation to study efficiently" before I even started.

I actually started studying in August 2024, but I had been preparing for it for half a year prior.

Preparation 1: Visualize your post-pass vision concretely

To clarify "why I want to become an administrative scrivener" and "what I want to do after passing," I read several books written about the work of an administrative scrivener.

After understanding the job duties, I removed fields where I had little experience or interest from my list of candidates and searched for the work I truly wanted to do and the fields I wanted to be involved in.

Being able to visualize my "post-pass vision," even if vaguely, became my support when I felt like giving up many times later on.

Preparation 2: Create a realistic study plan that balances with childcare

I created a study plan to reach a passing level over more than a year, with 1 to 2 hours of study time per day.
What I prioritized was not a "perfect plan" but a "sustainable plan.".

As a mother raising children, I anticipated that it would be difficult to secure time to sit at a desk and study. Therefore, I decided to set up an environment where I could study anytime, anywhere using my smartphone. I installed smartphone apps and subscribed to the paid plan of "Goukaku Dojo," a website with a wealth of administrative scrivener exam questions.

I solved problems on my smartphone while accompanying my child during hospitalization, during waiting times at the hospital, and while my children were sleeping.

Preparation 3: Confirm the possibility of self-study through past exam analysis

To confirm whether it was "truly possible to pass through self-study," I looked through past exam questions before starting my studies. I focused on the individual-choice questions to see what kind of knowledge was being tested and what level of understanding was required.

What I felt when looking at the past questions was that many of them were simple questions asking "whether you know it or not." I became convinced that "if I input knowledge thoroughly and solve problems repeatedly, I can sufficiently aim to pass through self-study."

To be honest, I had some favorable conditions.

I had experience dealing with legal amendments and judicial precedents as a real estate writer, so I had almost no resistance to legal terminology. I didn't end up in a state where I "didn't understand what the text was saying" when I read it.
I think this was a huge advantage.

Also, I liked studying itself and was the type who enjoyed solving problems.

I can pass through self-study.
Because I was convinced of that, I was able to start studying with confidence.

◇

Even so, balancing it with childcare was truly difficult. It is also a fact that there were times when I felt like giving up.

From the time I started studying until the exam day, studying while balancing it with childcare was by no means easy.
There were periods when I couldn't study due to my child's surgery and accompanying hospitalization.
There were also many days when I felt impatient and anxious because I couldn't get the study time I wanted.

However, it is certain that by taking the time to prepare, I was able to avoid losing sight of 'why I was working so hard.'
When I felt down and thought, 'Maybe I can't do this,' I would imagine, 'Keeping at it is what matters. Once I pass, I'll become this kind of administrative scrivener!' to keep my motivation up.

For more details, I have summarized them in '3 Preparations I Made Before Studying as Someone Anxious About Self-Studying for the Administrative Scrivener Exam3 Preparations'. Please take a look if you are interested.

1 Year and 3 Months of Self-Study Methods | Materials and Study Schedule

Choosing study materials is likely the first thing you'll struggle with when self-studying.
I mainly used the following materials. I didn't use them all at once, but added what was necessary at each stage.

Textbooks and Problem Sets Used

*Includes Amazon Associate links.

• Gokaku Kakumei Basic Textbook (Purchased the 2025 edition to replace the 2024 edition)

• Gokaku Kakumei Basic Problem Set

• Gokaku Kakumei Past Question Collection by Branch

• Gokaku Kakumei 40-Character Descriptive and Multi-Choice Problem Set

• Everyone Wanted This! Administrative Scrivener Case Law Collection

• Gokaku Dojo (Web Service, Paid Plan)

• Seriously Awesome Administrative Scrivener Course [Yuki University] (YouTube)

• Hit! Last-Minute Mock Exam (LEC 'Deru-Jun' Series)

• Gokaku Kakumei Legal Revisions and Last-Minute Mock Exam

• Everyone Wanted This! 150 Most Important Points for the Administrative Scrivener Exam

By standardizing with the Gokaku Kakumei series, the content of the textbooks and problem sets was easy to link, which made reviewing go smoothly.

Also, by combining web materials like Gokaku Dojo and YouTube, I was able to continue studying while staying in the hospital with my child or while they were sleeping next to me.

I have summarized the detailed usage of the materials and the reasons for choosing them in 'Choosing Self-Study Materials for the Administrative Scrivener Exam | The Textbooks and Problem Sets I Used'.

Study Schedule

August 2024 - January 2025 (approx. 6 months): Input Phase

Gokaku Kakumei Basic Textbook and Gokaku Kakumei Basic Problem Set were the core materials used to solidify my foundational knowledge.

I would read the textbook and immediately solve the corresponding problems in the workbook. If I got a question wrong, I would go back to the textbook to check. I repeated this process. I also used YouTube videos from Yuki University to help grasp the background and imagery of the legal provisions.

During this period, I studied for 1-2 hours a day, but I made sure to focus on building up my knowledge steadily every day.

February 2025 - June 2025 (approx. 5 months): Output Phase

Once I finished one round of the textbook, I moved on to the Gokaku Kakumei Question-by-Question Past Exam Collection. However, the question-by-question collection was difficult to review, so halfway through, I shifted my focus to the Gokaku Dojo one-question-one-answer and practice problems (five-choice multiple choice).

During this period, I focused on understanding 'why that is the answer.' To do this, I worked on all A-C rank problems in the workbook.
It took time, but I feel that practicing how to use knowledge from a wide range of angles led to my ability to handle the actual exam.

I joined the paid plan for Gokaku Dojo in March. Being able to solve problems on my smartphone allowed me to make effective use of time while accompanying my child in the hospital or during waiting times at the hospital.

July 2025 - September 2025 (approx. 3 months): Weakness Reinforcement Phase

I started working on a descriptive problem workbook for the descriptive section.
Also, in September, I purchased a Case Law Collection. I felt that for Constitutional Law in particular, it would be tough without studying case law.

During this period, I focused on eliminating my weak subjects and areas. I used the feature in Gokaku Dojo that allows you to review only the questions you got wrong, which helped me efficiently reinforce my weaknesses.

October 2025 - November 2025 (Final Exam Preparation Phase): Final Review and Mock Exams

I started solving predicted mock exams. I used LEC's 'Hit! Final Predicted Mock Exam' and Gokaku Kakumei's 'Legal Revisions and Final Predicted Mock Exam' to practice time management.

I also purchased 'Everyone Wanted This! Most Important Points for the Administrative Scrivener Exam150' and used it for a final check of important points. I even reread this book at the venue on the day of the exam.

In the final phase, I focused on ensuring I could recall what I had already studied rather than trying to cram in new information.

I have summarized my actual study schedule in 'Childcare×Self-Study×Administrative Scrivener Exam. Study schedule while accompanying a child in the hospital'. Please take a look at that as well if you like.

Efficient Study Methods for Multiple-Choice Questions

The main format of the Administrative Scrivener Exam is five-choice multiple choice.
When I solved problems, I was always conscious of 'spotting the error.'

There is always one correct answer in a multiple-choice question, and the other four are definitely wrong. The exam creators must also design them so that 'the other options are clearly incorrect' to avoid later debate.

That is why I not only found the correct option but also checked 'why this option is wrong' and 'which part is incorrect' every time.

By continuing this practice, I developed a sense for 'this phrasing is suspicious' or 'this point is often asked in this way.'
You will naturally grasp the trends of past exams as well.

I have summarized detailed problem-solving methods and how to use past exams in 'Administrative Scrivener, Real Estate Notary, and FPStudy methods for multiple-choice questions taught by successful candidates | Mastering from the perspective of the question creator'.

Strategies and Trade-offs Made for Each Subject

In self-study, you cannot make everything perfect. Within the limited time available, I had to decide where to focus my efforts and where to compromise.

My basic strategy was to score 180 points or more from the multiple-choice section alone. Since I couldn't know the grading criteria for the written section through self-study, I decided not to rely on it and to win the game with the multiple-choice section.

My specific subject-by-subject strategies are as follows.

1. Administrative Law: Aim for a perfect score

This subject has the highest point allocation and effort directly translates to scores. I judged that by carefully mastering the articles, judicial precedents, and procedural flows, I could aim for a perfect score even through self-study.

In fact, by repeating past exam questions, I was able to turn it into a reliable source of points.

2. Civil Law: Aim for at least 7 out of 9 questions correct

Although it is a difficult subject with a wide scope, as a major subject, I wanted to ensure I scored points. I did not chase after questions that were too difficult, and instead focused on understanding typical issues and judicial precedents that most examinees can answer correctly.

3. General Knowledge: Ensure points outside of Politics and Economics

To avoid the cutoff line (24 points out of 56), my strategy was to aim for a perfect score in laws such as the Administrative Scrivener Act, information and communications, personal information protection, and reading comprehension.
Since politics and economics have a wide and topical scope that is difficult to prepare for, I kept my study to a minimum.

4. Commercial Law: A field to compromise on

I could not make progress in understanding Commercial Law and Company Law, and they remained my weak points until the end.
I decided to "secure one question on Commercial Law and one on company incorporation" and did not pursue other topics.

Because it is impossible to be perfect at everything, I prioritized and allocated my time accordingly.

Detailed subject-by-subject strategies and thoughts on time allocation are summarized in "My Subject-by-Subject Strategy and Time Allocation for Taking the Administrative Scrivener Exam via Self-Study".

How I overcame moments when I felt like giving up

During my study period, there were many times when I thought, "This might be impossible."

When I couldn't study because I had to stay in the hospital with my child.
When I felt impatient because things weren't going according to plan.
When I had no one around to consult with and felt anxious about whether I was on the right track.

Self-study was truly lonely. If you attend a prep school, you can ask instructors questions and have peers to work hard with. But in self-study, there is no one.

The reason I was able to continue despite that was because I decided to "not blame myself".

Even if I couldn't study every day or things didn't go as planned, I decided that it was due to my environment, not my own laziness.
I felt that if I blamed myself for not being able to do it, I wouldn't be able to continue.

If your plan falls apart, rebuild it each time. "I couldn't do it this week, so I'll move it to next week," or "I'll put this section off and move on to the next." I considered it normal for plans to fall apart, and rebuilding them as part of the study process.

When things got tough, I imagined myself after passing. "I want to be an administrative scrivener who supports freelancers," or "I want to provide consultation on incorporation." I remembered the vision I had before I started studying and told myself, "Continuing is what matters. If I give up here, I'll never reach that future."

Don't seek perfection; proceed as much as you can. Don't blame yourself; rebuild your plan. Feel a sense of connection, even if it's small.

That is how I managed to keep going.

I have summarized more detailed ways to maintain your mental state in "Childcare×Administrative Scrivener Exam: How to Maintain Mental Health and Motivation While Self-Studying".

How I Felt on the Day of the Exam and the Results

On the day of the exam, I made sure to have a normal morning. I ate breakfast as usual and had a light lunch before 11:00 AM. I kept it to about 80% full because I get sleepy when I'm stuffed.

I arrived at the venue about 20 minutes early. Thanks to bringing a lap blanket and a seat cushion, I was able to stay relatively comfortable even in the cold of the Hokuriku region.

Before the exam started, I lightly reviewed "Everyone Wanted This! The 150 Most Important Points for the Administrative Scrivener Exam" to calm my nerves.

Once the exam began, I proceeded according to the time allocation I had decided on in advance.

1. Solve the reading comprehension section last (because it is hard to read long passages when tired)

2. Solve in order from the first question (mark questions you want to review)

3. Finish in two and a half hours -> Review in the remaining 30 minutes

This time allocation was decided after practicing many times with mock exams I took during the final period.

Just as I had practiced with commercially available mock exams, I was able to finish in about two and a half hours, and I also secured time to check for any marking errors.

The moment the exam ended, I had a subtle feeling—neither the conviction that "I might have passed" nor the despair that "it's definitely over." It was particularly difficult for me to judge how I did on the descriptive questions, and I had no idea if I had reached the passing line.

I checked the preliminary results released by the prep schools that night and self-scored.

Self-scoring (excluding descriptive questions): 168 points

Since I couldn't grade the descriptive questions myself, I used the free grading services of two prep schools (LEC and TAC).

Prep school grading result: 196 points (The passing line is 180 points)

Both prep schools gave me the same score. I had exceeded the passing line, but I was anxious until the official results were released.

Then came January 28th, the day of the results announcement.

Official Result: Passed

Just as the prep school scores indicated, I had successfully passed. When I found my examinee number on my smartphone screen, I finally realized that I had made it this far.
I finally realized that I had made it this far.

I have summarized the details of how I spent the day of the exam, what I brought, and how I managed my physical condition in "The Story of the Administrative Scrivener Exam Day | A Record of What I Brought, Health Management, and Actions Leading Up to the Day"

To those taking on the Administrative Scrivener Exam through self-study

I am 35 years old, a mother of two, and I managed to pass on my first attempt through self-study while only having 1-2 hours of study time per day. I don't have any special talent, nor was I in a particularly blessed environment.

However, I believe the reason I was able to pass was that I spent time on preparation before I even started studying. I visualized my post-pass vision, created a plan that didn't put too much strain on my daily life, and checked the difficulty level by looking at past exam questions.

I created a system to survive the long haul, made a sustainable plan, and started only after I was convinced that I could pass through self-study.
Because of this preparation, even when I felt like giving up many times, I was able to keep going without quitting.

During my study period, things rarely went according to plan. There were times when I couldn't study due to my children's surgeries or hospital stays. There were many days when I felt impatient because I couldn't get the time I wanted.

Even so, by focusing on "sustainable study" rather than "perfect study," I was able to move forward, even if just a little bit at a time.

Self-study is lonely. No one manages your progress, and there are no peers to encourage you. That is precisely why I believe it is important to clarify 'why you need this qualification' and believe in yourself as you continue.

For those raising children, those balancing work, and those with limited time.

I understand the feeling of thinking, 'It might be impossible for me.' I felt that way many times too.

But even 1 to 2 hours a day will definitely build your strength if you keep at it.
If you don't give up, passing is within your reach.

I hope this article serves as a little encouragement for those struggling with self-study or those thinking about taking on the challenge.

Thank you for reading until the end.

I will continue to update my experience with studying for the Administrative Scrivener Exam in my note magazine "Administrative Scrivener Exam Study Record Until Passing".

I plan to update my experience with preparing to open my practice in the note magazine "Record of Preparation Until Opening an Administrative Scrivener Office".

I would be happy if you could 'like' and follow me!

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