Overview of Joho I
Joho I became a compulsory subject for all high school students under the 2022 revision of Japan's national curriculum guidelines. It covers four areas: programming, data utilization, information design, and information society. From the January 2025 University Entrance Common Test onward, "Information" became a new tested subject, scored out of 100. How it is weighted in actual university admissions varies by institution and faculty—always check the enrollment guidelines of your target schools.
The 4 Exam Domains
The Common Test draws questions across all four domains. The heaviest weighting goes to Programming (area 3) and Data Utilization (area 4). The exam requires reading programs in DNCL (the exam's pseudocode language) and extracting information from spreadsheet tables and graphs.
Where Scores Diverge
The memorization domains (Information Society, Information Design) are approachable once you have the vocabulary down. The three domains where scores most diverge are DNCL reading, data analysis, and binary calculations. DNCL in particular requires training to "read programs," so it does not click from just reading the textbook—students who start solving problems early have a real advantage.
A Recommended Approach for Middle and High School Students
First, try working with Python in parallel. DNCL has its own notation, but having experience writing loops and arrays in Python makes it much more readable. Second, work through the practice papers and past exam papers published by the National Center for University Entrance Examinations. Getting familiar with the exam's style early is the most direct path. Third, get comfortable with spreadsheet software (Excel or Google Sheets). Data utilization questions test your ability to read tables and graphs.
In terms of study order, it is easier to keep going if you "solve short problems first, then look up vocabulary you did not know" rather than starting with memorizing terms. For DNCL, break practice into four pieces: variables, conditionals, loops, and arrays. For data utilization, mean, median, ratios, and scatter plots are much easier to understand when you work through them using familiar data, like school test results or a class survey.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Treating it as a "memorization subject" and only reading the textbook. Joho I is a thinking-based subject—without solving problems, scores do not improve.
- Leaving DNCL entirely to school class time. Set aside time to work through the official practice papers and past exam papers on your own.
- Putting off binary conversions and number-base problems. This is a foundational area that is easy to improve even with short study time—do not waste the opportunity.
How Will This Help You Later?
Joho I content overlaps with the IT Passport (Japanese national entry-level IT certification) and FE (Fundamental Information Technology Engineer) exam. Students who study Joho I thoroughly find the vocabulary and concepts in the IT Passport much more familiar. Conversely, middle school students who have already studied the IT Passport find a lot of recognizable material in high school Joho I. It is a subject that connects to certifications and programming learning beyond just university entrance.
Start Today
- From society, design, programming, data — write the one that worries you
- Do one question in that field
- Write 3 unknown words and which article you open next
Summary
Check Joho I often splits on?