Stimulating students in the information processing field

The Japanese national examination system for young people aspiring to become information processing engineers is described. It is argued that this examination system, which sets out objectives and goal levels, provides the students with an incentive to study. Students are motivated to take the exam because if they pass, they are assured of a job in the software field. It is noted by way of example that a college with academically gifted students has shown a high pass rate for the exam