TIMELINE AND GUIDE TO PASS THE ENTRANCE

EXAM IN JAPAN

Timeline Breakdown:

October 2024 – March 2026 (1 year 5 months)

● October 2024 – March 2025 (Foundation Phase)

● April 2025 – September 2025 (Strengthening Phase)
● October 2025 – February 2026 (Advanced/Mock Testing Phase)

Phase 1: October 2024 – March 2025 (Foundation Phase)

Goal: Build a strong foundation in math and physics and develop consistent study habits.

1. Math:
○ Focus: Start with the absolute basics (algebra, basic calculus).
○ Resources: Use beginner-friendly resources like Khan Academy, Algebra for
Dummies, or online tutors for personalized guidance.
○ Daily Practice: 1 hour/day of math.
■ October-November: Algebra (basic equations, inequalities, functions).
■ December-January: Pre-calculus (functions, trigonometry, exponential
functions).
■ February-March: Calculus basics (limits, derivatives, integration).
○ Study Technique: Break down concepts and solve multiple examples. Target
basic proficiency in each topic before advancing.
2. Physics:
○ Focus: Start with classical mechanics (Newton's laws, kinematics).
○ Resources: YouTube channels like MinutePhysics or CrashCourse for simple
explanations.
○ Daily Practice: 1 hour/day of physics.
■ October-November: Mechanics (forces, motion).
■ December-January: Energy, work, and power.
■ February-March: Electricity and magnetism basics.
○ Study Technique: Use visuals and practical examples to grasp the concepts.
Focus on real-world applications to make it relatable.
3. English & Japanese:
 ○ English: Read articles, do comprehension exercises, and practice essay writing
30 minutes/day.
○ Japanese: Continue studying N5-N4 level until you are fluent in comprehension
(reading & writing).

Phase 2: April 2025 – September 2025 (Strengthening Phase)

Goal: Strengthen your math and physics knowledge, covering more advanced topics relevant to
computer science.

1. Math:
○ Focus: Dive deeper into calculus and introduce linear algebra (important for
computer science).
○ Resources: Textbooks like Thomas’ Calculus or online platforms like Coursera.
○ Daily Practice: 2 hours/day.
■ April-May: Advanced calculus (integration techniques, differential
equations).
■ June-July: Linear algebra (matrices, vectors, eigenvalues).
■ August-September: Probability and statistics (important for algorithms).
○ Study Technique: Solve tougher problem sets, focusing on understanding the
logic behind them. Join online math communities for help.
2. Physics:
○ Focus: Delve into electromagnetism and thermodynamics.
○ Resources: MIT OpenCourseWare or textbooks like University Physics.
○ Daily Practice: 1.5 hours/day.
■ April-May: Electromagnetism (charge, electric field, magnetic field).
■ June-July: Thermodynamics (heat, temperature, entropy).
■ August-September: Review all physics topics and solve past exam
questions.
○ Study Technique: Apply physics to real-world problems to understand its
application. Use simulations for complex concepts.
3. Mock Exams:
○ Start practicing exam-style questions.
○ Solve at least one past paper or mock exam per month to improve time
management and accuracy.
4. English & Japanese:
○ Keep improving both languages by reading, writing, and speaking daily (1
hour/day).

Phase 3: October 2025 – February 2026 (Advanced/Mock Testing Phase)

Goal: Master the subjects and practice under real exam conditions.

1. Math & Physics:

○ Daily Practice: 2–3 hours/day focusing on advanced problem-solving.
○ Focus: Revise all previously covered topics. Focus on high-level calculus, linear
algebra, probability, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics.
○ Resources: Past exam papers, advanced problem sets, timed quizzes.
○ Study Technique: Identify weak areas and work on them intensively. Use mock
exams weekly.
2. Mock Exams & Time Management:
○ Weekly: Take full mock tests for both math and physics.
○ Time yourself strictly, replicating real exam conditions.
○ Review errors thoroughly after each test to avoid repeating mistakes.
3. Final Review:
○ February 2026: Revise all concepts lightly. Focus on reinforcing strong areas and
maintaining confidence.
○ Avoid learning new topics this late; focus on perfecting what you already know.

Additional Strategies for Success:

1. Tutoring: Consider hiring a tutor or joining study groups, either online or in-person, for
subjects like math and physics.
2. Active Recall & Spaced Repetition: Use apps like Anki to memorize formulas, key
concepts, and vocabulary effectively.
3. Regular Breaks: Incorporate 10-15 minute breaks during long study sessions to avoid
burnout.
4. Physical Health: Ensure you stay physically active and get enough sleep to keep your
brain sharp.
5. Motivation: Set short-term goals (e.g., mastering a specific topic each week) and reward
yourself when you achieve them.

Summary Timeline:

● October 2024 – March 2025: Build a strong foundation in math and physics.
● April 2025 – September 2025: Strengthen and expand on the foundation with advanced
topics.
● October 2025 – February 2026: Focus on advanced problem-solving and mock exams
under timed conditions.
By following this step-by-step plan, you will gradually overcome your past difficulties with math
and physics and be well-prepared to pass the entrance exams for your computer science
degree in Japan.

Brilliant is an excellent platform for developing problem-solving skills in math and science,
particularly through interactive learning, which can help you build a deeper understanding of
complex concepts. However, given your goal of preparing for Japan's university entrance exams
and your previous challenges in math and physics, I would recommend incorporating both
Brilliant and Khan Academy. Here's why:

Why Brilliant is Great:

1. Interactive Learning: Brilliant's problem-solving approach can help improve your critical
thinking and ability to apply concepts, which is crucial for passing the exam.
2. Structured Courses: Brilliant has strong courses in foundational and advanced math,
logic, and science, which are aligned with topics like calculus, linear algebra, and
physics—all needed for computer science.
3. Engagement: The interactive nature of Brilliant will keep you engaged and motivated,
especially for topics that have been difficult for you in the past.

Why You Should Add Khan Academy:

1. Step-by-Step Explanations: Khan Academy excels in explaining topics clearly,

especially for beginners. Since you’ve struggled with math and physics in the past,
Khan’s more detailed video tutorials will help fill in any gaps you may have.
2. Extensive Coverage: Khan Academy offers a complete curriculum for high school math
and physics, which is crucial for building the foundational skills needed for the entrance
exam.
3. Practice Problems: Khan Academy offers plenty of guided practice problems, which
can reinforce the theory and help you become more proficient over time. It will help you
with areas where you are still struggling.
4. Exam Preparation: Khan Academy also provides resources that align with standardized
test preparation, which is ideal for practicing exam-style questions.

How to Combine Both Effectively:

1. Brilliant for Concept Mastery: Use Brilliant to grasp the deeper, conceptual
understanding of topics like calculus, physics, and logic. Spend time on its interactive
problems to train your brain to think critically and solve complex problems.
2. Khan Academy for Step-by-Step Learning and Practice: Use Khan Academy to break
down difficult topics (especially in areas where you’re weak) and gain more practice.
 After each Brilliant session, you can supplement with Khan’s videos and exercises to
reinforce the material.

Suggested Study Routine:

● Brilliant: Spend time learning new concepts and solving interactive problems (1–2
hours/day).
● Khan Academy: Use it to review and practice with more examples, especially for areas
where you feel you need more help (1 hour/day).

Final Thoughts:

Brilliant will help you sharpen your problem-solving skills, but given your past struggles with
math and physics, adding Khan Academy for more comprehensive, step-by-step explanations
and extra practice will ensure you're fully prepared. The combination of both platforms should
give you a solid foundation to overcome any weaknesses and perform well on your entrance
exams.

To ensure you have an easier time during your 4-year Computer Science degree in Japan, it's
crucial to get familiar with a range of foundational topics and technical skills. This preparation
will help you grasp more advanced concepts when you begin your degree program. Here's a
breakdown of key areas you should focus on:

1. Mathematics

Mathematics is essential for computer science, especially in areas like algorithms, machine
learning, and cryptography. Brush up on:

● Discrete Mathematics: Set theory, logic, combinatorics, graph theory, and Boolean
algebra are crucial for understanding algorithms, data structures, and logic circuits.
● Linear Algebra: Vectors, matrices, and transformations are widely used in graphics,
machine learning, and computer vision.
 ● Calculus: Both differential and integral calculus are essential, especially in areas like
machine learning, AI, and optimization.
● Probability and Statistics: Useful in data science, AI, and algorithm analysis.
Understand concepts like distributions, hypothesis testing, and Bayes' theorem.

2. Programming Fundamentals

Solid programming skills are essential throughout your computer science degree. You should:

● Master at Least One Language: Start with languages commonly used in academia like
Python, Java, or C++. Python is great for AI, machine learning, and data science, while
C++ is important for system-level programming and algorithms.
● Understand Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Concepts like classes, inheritance,
polymorphism, and encapsulation are key for building scalable software.
● Get Comfortable with Data Structures and Algorithms: Study arrays, linked lists,
trees, graphs, sorting and searching algorithms, dynamic programming, and recursion.

3. Computer Science Basics

Having a foundation in the core areas of computer science will help you during your degree.
Focus on:

● Algorithms and Data Structures: Learn how to design and analyze efficient algorithms.
Understand time complexity (Big O notation) and space complexity.
● Operating Systems: Understand the basic concepts of OS design, processes, memory
management, scheduling, and concurrency.
● Computer Networks: Familiarize yourself with networking protocols, the OSI model,
TCP/IP, and the basics of how the internet works.
● Database Systems: Learn the basics of relational databases, SQL, and data modeling.
If possible, explore NoSQL databases like MongoDB.
● Computer Architecture: Study how computers work at the hardware level—topics like
CPU architecture, memory, and instruction sets are key.
● Version Control Systems: Learn Git and how to use it for tracking code changes and
collaborating on projects.

4. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and ML are growing fields in computer science. While you won’t need to master them before
your degree, having some familiarity will give you an edge:

● Basic AI Concepts: Study foundational concepts in artificial intelligence such as search

algorithms, decision trees, and neural networks.
● Machine Learning: Learn basic ML concepts like supervised and unsupervised
learning, regression, classification, and clustering. Familiarize yourself with Python
libraries like TensorFlow, scikit-learn, or PyTorch.
5. Web Development Basics

If you have an interest in building applications, learning web development basics can be useful:

● Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and popular frameworks like React or Vue.js.
● Backend: Learn server-side development using Node.js, Python (Flask/Django), or
Ruby on Rails.
● APIs: Understand how to build and consume RESTful and GraphQL APIs.
● Databases: Learn how to interact with both SQL and NoSQL databases.

6. Cloud Computing and DevOps Concepts

Cloud platforms are a key part of modern computing. Familiarize yourself with:

● Cloud Basics: Understand cloud computing models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and platforms
like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
● Containerization: Learn about Docker and Kubernetes to understand how applications
are deployed and scaled.
● CI/CD: Get a basic understanding of Continuous Integration and Continuous
Deployment pipelines.

7. Cybersecurity Basics

As security is critical in today’s software systems, understanding the basics of cybersecurity will
be useful:

● Encryption and Cryptography: Learn about encryption algorithms like AES, RSA, and
hashing.
● Network Security: Understand basic network security concepts like firewalls, VPNs, and
intrusion detection.
● Common Security Threats: Study common vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site
scripting (XSS), and how to prevent them.

8. Software Engineering Practices

To become an effective software engineer, it’s important to learn software development

methodologies and best practices:

● Agile Methodologies: Get familiar with the basics of Agile or Scrum as they are often
used in professional development environments.
● Software Design Patterns: Study common patterns like Singleton, Factory, Observer,
and MVC.
● Testing and Debugging: Understand the importance of unit testing, integration testing,
and debugging. Learn to use tools like JUnit or pytest for automated testing.
9. Soft Skills

In addition to technical skills, working on soft skills is crucial for success in computer science:

● Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Engage in puzzles, coding challenges, and

logic problems to improve your ability to think critically and solve problems.
● Collaboration and Communication: Learn to work in teams, contribute to open-source
projects, and clearly communicate technical concepts.

Suggested Resources:

● Books: "Introduction to Algorithms" by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein; "Design

Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software" by Gamma et al.
● Online Courses: FreeCodeCamp, Harvard’s CS50, Coursera, and Udemy courses on
discrete math, data structures, AI, etc.
● Practice: Engage in coding practice on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or
Codeforces to sharpen your problem-solving skills.

Final Thoughts:

By building a strong foundation in mathematics, programming, algorithms, and core computer

science principles, you’ll be better prepared to tackle the challenges of your computer science
degree. Continuous learning and practice will help you stay ahead and make the degree much
more manageable.