As soon as New Year's Day was over, Aki Tomoya began the second half of his winter break cram school sessions.
The entire winter break was only two weeks long, and school would start again soon.
The first mock exam was in March or April, and he had to take it seriously.
Of course, before March and April, there was the national unified test in mid-to-late January and the second entrance exam in February. Naturally, those were things that third-year students needed to worry about.
"The exams are coming up soon. Have you guys been resting well? You didn't push yourselves too hard during the New Year, did you? You need to stay in good condition!"
In the entire Aomine Cram School, there were three third-year students who were about to take exams, all for private Universities.
The admission methods for private Universities in Japan are not uniform. Some require participating in the unified test, some don't, and some can be entered just with the unified test scores.
Then there's the more special recommendation admission, one example being the kind where Meiran High School, where Kudo Sayaka attends, has direct admission to University.
If Kudo Sayaka performed better, the school would be willing to write her a recommendation, but based on Kudo Sayaka's previous situation, most of them were waiting to be married.
Mr. Tsubota seemed to be activated, adjusting the mindset of the three students who were about to take the exams.
"After they finish their exams, it'll be our mock exam!"
On the Friday of the last week of winter break, Kudo Sayaka saw the three third-year students who were about to take the exams. Looking at the Keio University red book in her hand, she also started to feel nervous.
Similarly, Furuhashi Fumino, who was behind her, was in a similar situation.
"Don't worry, it's just the first national mock exam. Especially Furuhashi Fumino, it's fine if you just manage to maintain your current level and pass the first mock exam!"
Harumi Junko comforted the two girls, who looked as if they were heading to the execution ground.
Don't take mock exams too seriously!
"If you're too nervous, you won't be able to perform well!"
Aki Tomoya said, resting his chin on his hand. On his desk, the Tokyo University red book was on the left, the Keio red book was on the right, and the Juntendo red book was in the middle. All three magic tools were ready!
However, he mainly looked at the Tokyo University red book on his left hand; the other two books were mostly just for reference.
"C rank, as long as it's C rank, that's enough!"
Kudo Sayaka clasped her hands together and prayed. She had set her three target Universities.
Her first choice is Keio University Faculty of Letters, her second choice is Seijo University Faculty of Literature, and her third choice is Keio University Faculty of Policy Management!
Compared to Kudo Sayaka's lofty ambitions, the liberal arts genius from Ichinose Academy, because she has to take science subjects, has set her three target Universities relatively lower now.
But Mr. Tsubota and Harumi Junko still said that they had tried their best to select Universities with relatively good Astronomy Departments and a chance of getting in. Furuhashi Fumino also deeply understood this.
After all, Furuhashi Fumino's wish was just to get into the Astronomy Department, and she didn't ask for anything more.
"C rank, that's also my minimum goal for the first mock exam."
"Keio?"
"No, the mock assessment for Tokyo University Science III. For Keio, I'm a bit confident about getting a B rank on the first try."
"Get lost!"
Kudo Sayaka punched Aki Tomoya's shoulder. She didn't use much force; it was more like a massage.
But Aki Tomoya still received her resentment clearly.
"I'm E, no, D rank is enough."
Fumino Furuhashi said somewhat pitifully. Her mock exam results were only for a normal University, but she set such a low expectation.
This made Sayaka Kudo unable to help but comfort her, saying, "It's just a normal University, a C-grade result is still very hopeful!"
"I'll do my best..."
Fumino Furuhashi finished speaking, and sighed in her heart.
But she couldn't give up yet. After New Year's Day, perhaps it was the luck brought by the New Year, she finally passed the test at the Academy!
Just as Harumi Junko said, maintain this level and pass the science section in the first mock exam!
But whether that passing grade was a fleeting stroke of luck or if her strength had truly reached that point, Fumino Furuhashi herself couldn't say.
"Whether you are taking the official entrance exams or starting to participate in the national mock exams this year, work hard! We don't need an explosion of performance, but maintaining your usual level is very hopeful!"
Mr. Ping Tian stood in the middle and spoke forcefully.
What he feared most was students who worked hard usually but performed inconsistently in the official exams.
That was the biggest nightmare for students. Not having an explosive performance is fine, but stable performance is a must!
So, mindset is very important. As the exams approached, Mr. Ping Tian's focus began to shift towards the other three students in the Academy who were about to face the entrance exams.
He made them do their final daily reviews and also adjusted their mindset. The most important thing was—
"Get good rest before the exam!"
In the first week of the New Year, hundreds of thousands of students were facing the most critical test.
Similarly, students like Tomoya Aki who were about to enter their third year needed to maintain a calm mindset towards this year's mock exams.
Before the official entrance exams, many students would lose confidence after failing the mock exams.
A tense atmosphere permeated the Academy. Whether for third-year students or second-year students, the beginning of this year was very important.
"January 20th, National Unified Exam."
Tomoya Aki looked up at the countdown date for the college entrance exam posted on the Academy wall.
That was his battlefield, but it had nothing to do with him for now.
After spending a slightly tense first week of the New Year at the Academy, Toyosaki Academy officially opened on the ninth.
Classes resumed as usual the day after the opening ceremony.
Thinking about entering the third year in a few months, students in Tomoya Aki's class who intended to go to University also felt a bit of tension.
It was rare for him to see so many people arrive at school as early as him.
Tomoya Aki thought, being able to feel this sense of tension in such a relaxed and free Academy was only possible this year.
"Just thinking about the mock exam soon after the college entrance exam makes my head explode!"
Immediately upon arriving at school in the morning, Yoshihiko Kamigō started complaining. He had already discussed it with his family and received their agreement.
But thinking about the possibility of not getting into University, he felt immense pressure.
"So tense just for a mock exam, everyone's the same."
Tomoya Aki sighed. There were also many people at Aomine Cram School where he tutored who felt fear towards the mock exams.
And in his class, his friend Yoshihiko Kamigō also showed a similar level of tension.
On the other side, Megumi Kato, who was also looking at reference books, was as calm as ever!
"The twentieth..."
Tomoya Aki looked out the window and happened to see a familiar figure.
Utaha Kasumigaoka was slowly walking towards the school building with her bag.
"No need to worry about a genius."
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