This paper, based upon the author's research in Japan during 1976-77, discusses the pressures for shaping the socialization of Japanese adolescents and secondary schools to meet the requirements of high school and college entrance examinations, which are a common source of chronic anxiety for students, parents, and teachers. (Author/KC)

This article focuses on the distribution of grades as symbols of educational merit. The social function of the artificially created shortage of high marks is discussed and different characteristics of grading systems are considered. The effects of cooperative and competitive distributive systems are summarized. (Author/EB)