noun
recommendation-based entrance exam
An entrance examination for applicants who have been recommended by their school or other institution, often involving interviews and essays rather than standard written tests.
彼は推薦入試で大学に合格した。
He passed the university entrance exam through the recommendation system.
一般入試 is the standard entrance examination open to all applicants, while 推薦入試 is for candidates who have been recommended and often involves a different selection process.
AO入試 (Admissions Office entrance exam) focuses on the applicant's overall suitability and potential, whereas 推薦入試 relies on a formal recommendation from a school.
Compound of 推薦 (recommendation) and 入試 (entrance examination).