NOTES:

✔ This document is a translated version of the “AY2021 Guide to Entrance Examinations,

Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems (EEIS), Graduate
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo” in Japanese. The guide in Japanese is
regarded as the official version. This English translation is provided for the convenience
of applicants.
✔ The Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems cannot facilitate a visa for
applicants who wish to take the entrance examination.

AY2021 Entrance Examination Guide

Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems (EEIS)

Doctoral Program Type B Entrance Examination Guide

1. Examination Dates & General Information

Subject Schedule Method Notes

Specialized subject
(Electrical &
Electronic Tuesday, January 26 The examination is
Please refer to 2.1.
Engineering and 10:30 - 12:00 conducted online.
Information
Engineering)

Wednesday, January 27
or Thursday, January 28 Please refer to 2.2.
The examination is
Oral examination conducted online.
Please attach the applicant's "research plan" sheet
8:00 - 18:00 to the application form.
(tentative)
 The entrance examination of this year is conducted online.
 In this year, the written examination does not include English or Regular education subject (mathematics).
 For applicants who are the students of Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems,
Department of Advanced Energy, and Department of Information & Communication Engineering at the
University of Tokyo, alternative oral examinations may be held in some cases.
 Applicants who have graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a master's program in Department of Electrical
Engineering and Information Systems, Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Department of
Frontier Informatics, Department of Advanced Energy, or the Department of Information & Communication
Engineering at the University of Tokyo are not required to take the Specialized Subject (Electrical & Electronic
Engineering and Information Engineering) test.
 Applicants who have graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a master's program in a department other than
those listed above at the University of Tokyo may be exempt from the written examinations. Please inquire at the
Office of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems (nyushi21@ee.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp) about
examination exemption policies by the end of October, 2020.
 Zoom connection test will be conducted on January 19 (Tuesday), 2021. Examinees who take the Specialized
Subject (Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Information Engineering) test must attend it.
 The applicants will be informed of the details of the online examinations of the Specialized subject and Oral
examination by email or other means after the deadline of the application for the entrance examination.

2. Overview of Examinations

Type-B applicants to the Ph.D. Program must take the written examination described in 2.1 as well
as the oral examination described in 2.2.
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2.1 Written Examination

Specialized Subject (Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Information Engineering): The test
will be given in a description-type exam format. It will cover basic knowledge required to
conduct research in the field of your preferred supervisor (see page 15-20 of “AY 2021 Guide
to Entrance Examinations, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems
(EEIS), Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo” in Japanese). The problems
will be given in English. Applicants must give answers either in Japanese or in English.

Equipment

Applicants must prepare the following equipment before participating in the examination.
Inadequate preparation may result in invalidation of the examination.

 A desktop or laptop computer.

 You must be able to use Zoom and view PDF files without problems.
 You may use any OS, but you must be able to install the apps specified in the next
section. It is your responsibility to troubleshoot on your computer.
 Only one monitor can be used. In the case of multiple monitors, the display must be
removed from the tabletop and surrounding area in advance.
 Only one computer can be used during the examination. If you use more than one
computer, it may be regarded as cheating.
 Broadband environment
 The Internet connection must be capable of securing a bandwidth of 3 Mbps or more
at all times.
 You need to cover the expense of your data plans by yourself.
 A microphone and a speaker
 The use of headphones is not permitted in the written examination. However, you
may use them to listen to instructions from the proctor before the written examination
begins.
 A Webcam
 An external Webcam that can be connected to a PC must be prepared. Be careful not
to use the computer’s built-in camera.
 Smartphones and tablets are not allowed to be used as substitutes.
 The Webcam does not need to have a high resolution, but it must be able to capture
and check the situation during the examination sufficiently.
 The Webcam must be positioned in a way that the proctor can monitor the examinee,
the computer, and answer sheets during the examination, by shooting from the side,
as shown in the following image. If necessary, prepare cables and tripods for this
installation. The Webcam may be placed on a stack of books or other objects, but in
that case, the spine of the books should not be facing the examinee. If the camera
cannot be installed as shown in the photo below, the applicant may not be allowed to
take the examination.
 All items that are not necessary for the examination and items that you do not want to
be photographed should be cleaned up or covered with a cloth in advance.

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  Before the written examination, the examinees will be requested to show the proctor a
360-degree view of the desk and the entire room where you take the examination. In
case you are not able to do this, you may not be allowed to take the examination.
 Smartphone designated as an emergency contact
 In addition to urgent communication from the proctor, you may use it for capturing
and uploading your answer sheets. Thus, make sure your smartphone can connect to
the Internet.
 Writing utensils
 The answers should be scanned into a smartphone or other devices and sent to us.
Prepare a dark-colored writing instrument (B or darker) as light colors may not be
sufficiently readable in the scanned answers.

Software

You must install the software specified below in advance and perform the connection test by
yourself. If you do not install or test in advance and cannot participate in the examination in
time, you may be considered to have abandoned the exam.

 Zoom (free of charge)

 https://zoom.us/support/download
 Access https://zoom.us/test and confirm that you can connect to Zoom in advance,
and that the microphone, speaker, and Webcam work without problems.
 Check in advance how to view chat messages and perform screenshare.
 Your display name in Zoom should be set to the examination applicant number only.
 Adobe Scan (free of charge)
 https://acrobat.adobe.com/jp/ja/mobile/scanner-app.html
 If the iOS or Android version is older, it may not be possible to install the latest
version of Adobe Scan, so update to the latest version of iOS or Android.
 Make sure you understand how to use Adobe Scan in advance so that you can
perform scanning and file uploads without any issue on the day of the examination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCyhOkBpELc
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  Blurred scans may not be scored. It is your responsibility to become familiar with
Adobe Scan in advance to ensure that you can scan clearly, and to check the effects of
lighting and other factors in the room where you will be taking the exam.

Computer settings

 It is recommended that Windows Update and anti-virus software scanning be set not to
run automatically.
 The notifications of Slack, mail, SMS, etc. should not be displayed.
 The computer should not start a screen saver, sleep, or turn off a display automatically.
 In the case of a laptop computer, connect it securely to the power supply to avoid running
out of battery.
 Organize the files on the desktop and move the folders and files to a different location.
 The wallpaper of your computer should not contain any illustrations or text.
 The display name of Zoom should be set to the examination applicant number only.

Environment for taking the examination

You are responsible for securing your own room at the time of the exam.

 You must take the examination in a quiet, well-lit room.

 It is your responsibility to participate from a room where no one else is allowed to enter.
 Public spaces, such as parks, internet cafes, and restaurants, are not permitted.
 Computers must be placed on a desk or a tabletop surface.
 Do not place anything on or near the desk that is not permitted to be used during the
examination.
 You must sit for the examination in an ordinary chair. Do not take the examination on a
bed, sofa, or lounge chair.
 Eating and drinking are not allowed during the examination.

Your clothing

 Do not wear headphones or earphones while taking the written examinations.

 Ears must be visible at all times during the written examination, uncovered by hair, hat or
other objects.
 Dress appropriately for the examination. During the examination, you are monitored and
recorded by the proctor via a camera.
 Unless there are special circumstances, no hair accessories are to be worn.

Things to bring for the written examination

In addition to the equipment described above, applicants are required to prepare and bring the
following items to the written examination.

 Answer sheets and calculation sheets

 The templates for the answer sheet and the calculation sheet will be distributed in
PDF format. Print them out in advance. Use of other papers is not allowed.

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  Your name and examination number must be written in black ink on all answer
sheets in advance.
 Admission card
 Black pencils or black mechanical pencils
 The answers should be scanned into a smartphone or other device and sent to us.
Prepare a dark-colored writing instrument (B or better) as light colors may not be
sufficiently readable in the scanned answers.
 Erasers
 Pencil sharpeners
 Ruler
 Watch
 Message cards to communicate with the proctor. The message cards are included in the
PDF file that will be distributed to applicants later. Color copies should be made in
advance.
 The smartphone with a phone number designated as an emergency contact
 A smartphone or tablet with Adobe Scan pre-installed and connected to the Internet.
 You use this to capture and upload your answer sheets. It must not be used for any
other purpose.
 The smartphone with a phone number specified as an emergency contact number
may be used for capturing and uploading your answer sheets.
 Use of other kinds of stationery and electronic devices is prohibited. No recording of any
kind is allowed during the examination.

During the examination

 To attend the written examination, you must access the designated URL at 9:30 a.m on the
examination date. You should not be late.
 The proctor will monitor the applicants during the examination via video camera. All
sessions are recorded during the examination.
 During the examination, the speaker should be turned down but make sure you can hear
the proctor's instructions. The microphone should not be muted.
 Applicants must be on camera in order to be monitored by the proctor. Questionable
behavior could invalidate the examination.
 Do not use unauthorized materials, such as pre-written notes or text.
 Do not contact or communicate with others.
 If possible, refrain from taking restroom breaks during the examination. Please use a
restroom before the examination starts.

Scanning and uploading your answer sheets

You must use Adobe Scan to scan your answer sheets. Install the application in advance and
learn how to use it. Blank answer sheets must also be scanned. We will use a similar system
to the one you use for uploading your application submission.

1. Launch Adobe Scan on your smartphone.

2. Tap the icon in the lower right corner to start scanning.
3. The default scan mode is “Text”, and you can leave it as it is.

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 4. Place your answer sheet on your desk and scan it from directly above. If the edge of the
answer sheet is detected, the app performs capturing automatically. Alternatively, you can
press the shutter button and set the capture boundary by dragging.
5. Repeat the operation 4 until you scan all answer sheets.
6. When all the scans are finished, tap the bottom right corner.
7. Make sure that the scan has been performed properly and change the file name so that you
can recognize it if needed. You can rename the file by tapping the pencil icon.
8. Tap “Save as PDF” on the top right corner.
9. Save the file in your local storage.
a. iOS
i. Tap “Share” on the scanned file, and then tap “Share a Copy”.
ii. Select “Save to File” and save the file to a location that you can recognize.
b. Android
i. Tap in the document list view.
ii. Tap “Copy to device” and save the file to a location that you can recognize.
10. Scan the QR code in the answer sheet and access the upload site.
11. Select the file you just saved.
12. Press the upload button and verbally notify the proctor when a message appears indicating
that the upload is complete.

2.2 Oral Examination

All applicants must take the oral examination.

Equipment

Before the oral examination, the applicants must prepare the following equipment. Inadequate
preparation may result in invalidation of the examination.
 A desktop or laptop computer
 You should be able to use Zoom. Access https://zoom.us/test to confirm that you can
connect to Zoom in advance, and that your microphone, speakers (you may use
headphones and earphones), and webcam work without problems. Check in advance
how to view chat messages and how to share the screen. If you use a laptop computer,
connect it securely to a power supply to avoid running out of battery.
 Broadband environment
 You must prepare a broadband connection with a speed higher than 3 Mbps.
 You need to cover the expense of your data plans by yourself.
 Webcam
 You may use a built-in camera in your computer. Adjust the camera position so that
your face is clearly viewed by the interviewers.
 All items that are not necessary for the examination and items that you do not want to
be photographed should be cleaned up or covered with a cloth in advance.
 Before the oral examination, you will be requested to move the camera to show the
interviewers 360-degree view of the desk and the entire room where you take the
examination. Failure to do so may result in not being able to take the examination.
 Smartphone with the phone number specified as an emergency contact

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  You may use it for urgent communication with the proctor.

Environment for taking the oral examination

You are responsible for securing your own room.

 You must take the examination in a quiet, well-lit room.
 You must be alone in the room with no one else entering.
 Taking the examination in a public place, such as a park, an Internet cafe, or a restaurant,
is not allowed.
 The computer must be placed on a desk or a tabletop surface.
 The desk and surrounding area must be clear of all items not approved for use during the
examination.
 You must sit in an ordinary chair during the examination. Do not take the examination on
a bed, sofa, or lounge chair.

Things to prepare for the oral examination

In addition to the equipment described above, you must prepare the following items.
 ⁓3 blank sheets of paper (about A4 size)
You may use them to write your answers to the questions by the interviewers.
 Admission card
 Marker pen
 Copy of the presentation slides, if necessary.
 Smartphone with a phone number designated as an emergency contact
 Use of other kinds of stationery and electronic devices is prohibited. No recording of any
kind is allowed during the examination.

About the topics in the interview

Applicants who have taken the written examination will be asked some questions regarding the
Specialized Subject test. All applicants will be asked to make a presentation about their master's
thesis (even if it is still being written) or equivalent. Applicants will also be asked to present
their plans for their research after the acceptance to the Ph.D. course. The length of the
presentation will be about 20 minutes, followed by a Q&A session. Applicants will be
requested to upload the presentation files at the URL that will be notified later.

Important notes during the oral examination

 Access the designated URL at least 5 minutes before the starting time of your oral
examination. Then, wait for instruction from the interviewers. (The starting time may be
delayed. The starting time and URL will be sent to the email address provided in the
application form.)
 You must be on camera during the examination. Questionable behavior could invalidate the
examination.
 You are not allowed to contact or communicate with others during the examination.
 If you have trouble with access to the oral examination, send an e-mail to nyushi21@ee.t.u-

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 tokyo.ac.jp.

3. Zoom Connection test (only for applicants who take the written exam.)

For applicants who take the written examination, Zoom connection test will be conducted on
January 19 (Tuesday), 2021. Applicants must follow the instruction of “2.1.Written Examination”
and access the designated URL that will be sent to the email address provided in the application
form. Applicants who do not attend this connection test may not be allowed to take the examination.

4. Required Documents

At the time of application, please prepare (1) an acceptance letter from the preferred supervisor, (2)
a “Ph.D. Program Research Plan”, and (3) a reference letter from your current advisor or boss (if
required) to be submitted along with other necessary documents.

(1) Acceptance Letter from the Preferred Supervisor

Applicants need to contact their preferred supervisor as early as possible before the
application, and receive an acceptance letter (which can be a scanned file or a hard copy of
the original letter) with the supervisor’s signature.

(2) Ph.D. Program Research Plan

Research plans should outline the applicant's research methodology and vision in about
1,000 English words (or 2,000 Japanese characters) on single-sided A4 size paper (not
stapled). Plans may be prepared in any format as long as the below points are outlined.
 Research goal (including the background and the current international status of the
research)
 Details of the research (annual plans, etc.)
 Originality of the research
Applicants must discuss the details of the research to be conducted during their Ph.D.
program with their preferred supervisor beforehand.

(3) Reference Letter from the Current Advisor or Boss

Applicants who are currently employed and plan to retain their working status during the
study program are required to submit a reference letter from their current boss at work.
There are no format restrictions for the reference letter. Please also refer to the
corresponding portion of the “Application Guidelines” for doctoral programs provided by
the Graduate School of Engineering.

5. Important Notice

The application may be judged invalid if any of the required documents listed above is missing at the
time of application. Entrance examination results may be utilized for the improvement of the future

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entrance examinations and education at the University of Tokyo. The Department of Electrical
Engineering and Information Systems cannot facilitate a visa for applicants who wish to take the
entrance examination.