examination war; fierce competition for university entrance
Metaphorical term for the intense, war-like competition among students preparing for university entrance exams in Japan. Often used in discussions of education pressure.
It is said that Japan's examination war is getting tougher every year.
He survived the examination war and was accepted into his first-choice university.
Refers to taking an entrance exam itself, without the competitive 'war' connotation.
General word for competition; lacks the specific educational context and intensity of 受験戦争.
Compound of 受験 (taking an entrance exam) and 戦争 (war), metaphorically likening the fierce competition for university admission to a war.