ABSTRACT
The idea of being tested conveys a sense of persevering over adversity. Shakespeare effectively utilized this in Hamlet, “Bring me to the test!” For ambitious Japanese high school seniors, passing their exams for admission to the University of Tokyo is a matter of life and death; their future depends on its success. Indeed, taking any achievement or qualifying test may provoke intense concerns, anxiety, or even fear. Fortunately, however, these negative aspects of test taking may be attenuated by proper preparation, or by mastery of required skills.
