You’re sitting in Shujin Academy. The chalk is scratching against the board, and Mr. Ushimaru is staring you down. Suddenly, the game demands you know the specific nuance of a Greek myth or the chemical composition of a 17th-century pigment. If you're like most players, your brain short-circuits. You just want to increase your Knowledge stat so you can finally hang out with Hifumi Togo or pass those brutal midterms.
Getting the persona 5 royal exam answers right isn't just about pride. It’s about efficiency. In a game where every single day is a finite resource, failing a question feels like a slap in the face. You lose out on those precious musical notes over your head, and suddenly, you're behind on your social stats.
It’s frustrating. Truly.
The Shujin Academy Struggle is Real
Persona 5 Royal changed things from the original 2017 release. If you’re looking at an old guide from the vanilla version of the game, you’re going to fail. Atlus shuffled the deck. They added new questions, changed dates, and introduced the Third Semester content which brings its own set of academic hurdles.
The questions are weirdly specific. One day you’re answering about the "execution by hot pear," and the next, you're diving into the geometry of a soccer ball. It’s a lot. Most players keep a tab open on their phone just to get through a single week of in-game classes.
Honestly, the hardest part isn't even the daily questions. It's the exams. Midterms and finals take place over several days. You can't save in the middle of them. If you mess up the first question on day one, you’re stuck with a sub-par score that affects your popularity with your teammates and your standing in the school.
Breaking Down the Toughest Months
Let's look at May. This is your first real test. You’ve just started getting the hang of being a Phantom Thief, and suddenly the school expects you to know about the "Optical Illusion" of the human eye and how it relates to the color of the sky.
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For the midterms starting May 11th, you need to remember that the "minamoto no yoshitsune" answer is the way to go for the historical context. But then it pivots. It asks about the "bi-color" nature of the Shujin uniform. Why? Because Atlus loves flavor text that actually matters.
Then comes July. It’s hot. You want to go to the beach with Ann and Ryuji. Instead, you're stuck in a classroom. The July exams focus heavily on social phenomena. You’ll need to know about the "Julius Caesar" connection and why specific Japanese words are used for "thievery."
It gets deeper in October. This is where the difficulty spikes. You aren't just answering trivia; you're answering questions about the "Guillotine" and the history of execution methods. It’s morbid, sure, but it fits the theme of the game. If you haven't been paying attention to the dialogue in the Leblanc cafe or the random NPC chatter, you’re toast.
Why the Third Semester Changes Everything
If you played the original P5, the game ended in December. In Royal, if you played your cards right with Maruki, you get January. This means more school.
The January exam answers are some of the most esoteric in the entire series. They touch on the nature of reality and happiness—very fitting for the Maruki arc. You’ll be asked about the origins of ancient festivals and the psychological implications of "shared dreams."
Don't ignore these. By January, your Knowledge stat should be maxed out at Rank 5 (Erudite), but your actual performance still depends on your manual inputs. Even a genius protagonist can fail if the player picks the wrong choice.
The Secret Value of "Checking the Crowd"
There’s a mechanic people forget. If you're playing online, you can hit the Touchpad (on PlayStation) or the equivalent button on PC/Switch to see what other players chose.
It’s a lifesaver. Usually.
Sometimes, the "crowd" is wrong. This happens most often right after a new port of the game launches. If a bunch of new players are guessing, the percentage might favor a wrong answer. Rely on it for the easy stuff, but for the "persona 5 royal exam answers" that determine your top-of-the-class status, double-check a dedicated list.
The Real Reward for Being a Nerd
Why bother? Because Sojiro Sakura is a sucker for a smart kid.
If you place in the top ten or become the top student, talk to Sojiro at Leblanc. He’ll give you a reward. Usually, it’s an accessory or a high-end healing item that you can’t get anywhere else early in the game. Plus, your teammates will be impressed. This gives you a massive boost to your Social Link (Confidant) points with any student character.
It saves you from having to spend a "free" afternoon just hanging out to get those points. One good exam score can basically rank up your relationship with Makoto or Kawakami instantly.
Quick Reference for Key Exam Dates
Don't get caught off guard. Mark these on your real-life calendar if you have to.
The May Midterms run from the 11th to the 14th. You need to focus on "The Pharos of Alexandria" and "Visual Information."
July Finals start on the 13th. The big answers involve "Nouveau Riche" and the "Spirit of the Thief."
October Midterms hit on the 17th. This is the one about the "Crow" and the "history of the map."
December Finals are the big ones, starting on the 20th. This is where you talk about the "Dreadful" nature of the end of the year and the origins of "Santa Claus" (yes, really).
How to Max Your Knowledge Early
If you want the best outcomes, you need to grind Knowledge outside of class.
- Study at the Library: It’s free. It gives you a boost, but occasionally, people will whisper about you and distract you.
- The Diner in Shibuya: Go here on rainy days. Order the Coffee. You get a massive Knowledge boost because the rain makes you focus, and the caffeine kicks in.
- Leblanc at Night: Sometimes, the TV has a quiz show. Answer it right for a free point without passing time.
- The Crossword Puzzle: Always check the table in Leblanc. If there's a crossword, solve it. It doesn't take any time at all.
It’s a slow burn. You won’t see the results immediately, but by the time the October exams roll around, you’ll be glad you spent those rainy nights drinking bitter coffee and reading textbooks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A lot of people think their Knowledge stat automatically makes them pass. It doesn't.
Even if you have Rank 5 Knowledge, if you click "The Moon" instead of "The Sun" on a question about Greek philosophy, you will lose points. The game calculates your final score based on a hidden "points" system. Your Knowledge rank acts as a multiplier or a floor, but your manual answers are the ceiling.
Also, don't confuse the "Classroom Questions" with the "Exam Questions." Classroom questions happen once a day and give a small boost. Exams happen in a block and provide the massive Social Link bonuses. Both are important, but the exams are where the real stakes are.
Essential Next Steps for Any Phantom Thief
To ensure you never miss a beat in Shujin Academy, you should prioritize your schedule around the school calendar.
- Check the Calendar Weekly: Know when an exam week is coming so you can spend the preceding three days studying at the diner for that extra "Rainy Day" bonus.
- Keep a Backup Save: Always save on the night of the 10th (for May/July/October). If you realize you've missed a question halfway through the exam, you can reload without losing too much progress.
- Prioritize the "Star" Confidant: Hifumi Togo provides abilities that help in combat, but her scenes often provide context for some of the more "strategic" questions you'll face later.
- Finish Palaces Early: Never leave a Palace until the last minute during an exam month. If you’re stressed about a calling card, you won't be able to study effectively, and you'll miss the stat-boosting opportunities that lead up to the test.
By focusing on these specific behaviors, you’ll maximize your efficiency and leave yourself more time for the actual fun parts of the game—like fusing high-level Personas and taking down corrupt politicians.
Actionable Takeaway
Start carrying a book at all times. In Persona 5 Royal, you’ll occasionally get a seat on the train. If you have a book in your inventory, you can read for free. Always keep a "Knowledge" book handy specifically for these moments. This passive gain is the difference between being a "Learned" student and an "Erudite" one by the time the December finals arrive.