Studyplus Trend Research Institute, a subsidiary of Studyplus Co., Ltd., conducted a "Survey on Trends during the University Entrance Exam Period" on the learning management app "Studyplus" from Saturday, December 2024, 12 to Tuesday, February 14, 2025, targeting 2 users who took university entrance exams in 18, asking about the content and items that supported them during their exam period. The results were compiled as the "2024 Exam Trends White Paper: Ranking Edition."
The artist that students listened to the most while studying was "Mrs. GREEN APPLE," who took first place in the "Artist that most encouraged them during their university entrance exam period" category for the third consecutive year, and continues to be popular among teenagers. In second place was "ONE OK ROCK," who was ninth last year in the "Artist that most encouraged them during their university entrance exam period" category, moving up seven places. In third place was "GRe3N BOYZ," who changed their name from GReeeeN in 1.
The most listened to songs while "studying" were "Que Sera Sera (Mrs. GREEN APPLE)" in 1st place, "Lilac (Mrs. GREEN APPLE)" in 2nd place, and "UR not alone (GRe4N BOYZ)" in 3rd place. "Lilac" is the song that won the 66th Japan Record Award (winning the award for the second consecutive year after the 65th award). "Que Sera Sera (Mrs. GREEN APPLE)" and "UR not alone (GRe2N BOYZ)" ranked in for the second consecutive year, and seem to have become established as supportive songs for students taking exams.
The artists most listened to while taking a break from studying for exams were "Mrs. GREEN APPLE" in 1st place, "back number" in 2nd place, and "King Gnu" in 3rd place, suggesting that some students consciously change the artists they listen to when they are "studying" and when they are "taking a break" to change their mood. The songs most listened to while "taking a break" from studying for exams were "Lilac (Mrs. GREEN APPLE)" in 1st place, "Que Sera Sera (Mrs. GREEN APPLE)" in 2nd place, and "Soranji (Mrs. GREEN APPLE)" in 3rd place, with Mrs. GREEN APPLE dominating the top three spots. In the song category, there was not much difference in the rankings between "studying" and "taking a break," highlighting the enduring popularity of Mrs. GREEN APPLE. "Dekikkonai wo Yaranakucha (Sambomaster)," which ranked 1th, was ranked in both the year before last and last year, showing that it is once again a staple song for students taking exams this year.
When asked which YouTube channels people watched the most while studying for entrance exams or gathering career information, "Takeda Juku Channel | How to use reference books and university entrance exam information" came in first with 185 votes. Last year it was ranked fifth in "YouTube channels that encouraged me during my university entrance exam period," moving up four places. In second place were the educational and exciting variety show "wakatte.tv" and "Stardy - Kono Gento's Amazing Lessons," by Kono Gento, a YouTuber with over 1 million subscribers who graduated from the University of Tokyo, each with 5 votes. In fourth place was "Video Lessons Try IT," a video lesson service for junior and senior high school students, which made its debut.
The most viewed YouTube channels to take a break from studying for exams were, in first place, the educational and entertaining variety show "wakatte.tv," in second place, "Ida Channel," a duo of current Kyoto University students, and in third place, "QuizKnock," a knowledge group from the University of Tokyo. "Ida Channel" and "QuizKnock" were close behind last year as well, but this year the rankings have switched. In third place and below were YouTube channels that are not related to learning, such as "Tokai On Air," "Kiyo," and "Com.com," suggesting that exam candidates are separating the channels they use for studying from those for taking a break.
In addition, the "Exam Trends White Paper 2025: Ranking Edition" introduces rankings such as "The smartphone app that was the most supportive during the university entrance exam period," "The stationery that was most used during the university entrance exam period," and "The sweets that were most eaten during the university entrance exam period."
