Japan expands Computer Based Testing in education and digital sectors

In Japan, the transition toward Computer Based Testing (CBT) is gaining momentum in both higher education and primary/secondary school digital transformation (DX).

CBTS has launched a dedicated website to assist universities in adopting CBT for entrance examinations. The service aims to address common institutional challenges, such as the high operational costs of managing physical venues, the burden of transporting exam materials, and the need to expand testing opportunities for students living in remote areas. CBTS utilizes a network of over 300 test centers across all 47 prefectures to facilitate this transition.

Simultaneously, the implementation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s (MEXT) CBT system, known as MEXCBT, has raised concerns regarding the educational technology (EdTech) ecosystem. While the 'Learning e-Portal' was designed to provide access to MEXCBT, experts note that the lack of clear boundaries between public and private services is creating market imbalances. Some private portal providers are integrating unique features that may inadvertently exclude EdTech developers who cannot meet specific technical or business model requirements, potentially limiting the diversity of educational tools available to local governments and schools.