ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the yearly changes in scores of medical students’ written examinations in physiology and to find evidence in these scores for the lowering of academic performance levels of medical students in Japan after the number of medical students was increased.<br>Methods: With the scores of examinations in physiology from 2002 through 2012, the mean scores, standard deviations（SD）, the mean±SD, the numbers of students, the numbers of failing students, and the percentages of failing students were examined.<br>Results: The scores of examinations in physiology decreased significantly after the number of medical students was increased.<br>Conclusion: One cause of the lowering of academic performance levels of medical students in Japan is the increase in the number of medical students.