National Center Test for University Admissions

The National Center Test for University Admissions (大学入試センター試験, Daigaku Nyūshi Sentā Shiken) was a type of standardized test used by public and some private universities in Japan. It was held annually during a weekend in mid-January over a period of two days. Since the test was held in the middle of winter, snow delayed the exam in some regions, but typically the test started and ended near the same exact time throughout the entire nation.

The Center Test became something of a national phenomenon in Japan, with television coverage and newspapers publishing test questions. To many test-takers in Japan, the test was the difference between college entrance and one year's study for the next year's exams as a rōnin. Since the test was only administered annually and entrance to top-ranked universities and colleges is so competitive in Japan, the test had become the subject of scrutiny by many. In addition, rules for tardiness and absences were extremely strict and always resulted in the forfeit of the right to take the exams, as there were no "makeup" sessions or re-takes offered except in certain cases such as train delays.

The test was administered by National Center for University Entrance Examinations, an Independent Administrative Institution (IAI). The National Center Test superseded the Common first-stage exam (共通一次, kyōtsū ichiji), which was administered from 1979 to 1989, letting private universities use the test scores as a criterion for admissions decisions.

In 2012, the test was held on 14 and 15 January, with around 555,500 students participating (down by 3,400 students from 2011). The test was held at 709 locations across the country and will be used by 835 public universities, private universities and junior colleges to grade applicants.

In 2014, on 19 and 20 January, 560,672 students participated at 693 centers.

"As in previous years, there were a few glitches. Heavy snow made some students late in the Hokuriku region, while a disruption to the JR Tokaido shinkansen caused some students to miss the tests in Shizuoka, TBS reported. Trouble was also reported with audio-visual devices for English exam takers in some centers."

The final Center Test was conducted in 2020 and was replaced by the Common Test for University Admissions in 2021.