College Scholastic Ability Test

College Scholastic Ability Test
Hangul
대학수학능력시험
Hanja
大學修學能力試驗
Revised RomanizationDaehak Suhak Neungnyeok Siheom
McCune–ReischauerTaehak Suhak Nŭngnyŏk Sihŏm

The College Scholastic Ability Test or CSAT (Korean: 대학수학능력시험; Hanja: 大學修學能力試驗), also abbreviated Suneung (수능; 修能), is a standardized test which is recognized by South Korean universities. The Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) administers the annual test on the third Thursday in November.[1][2][3] In 2020, however, it was postponed to the first Thursday in December (December 3), due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CSAT was originally designed to assess the scholastic ability required for college. Because the CSAT is primary factor considered during the Regular Admission round, it plays an important role in South Korean education. The test has been cited for its efficiency, emphasis on merit, and good international results.[4] Of the students taking the test, as of 2023, 65 percent are currently in high school and 31 percent are high-school graduates who did not achieve their desired score the previous year. The share of graduates has been steadily rising from 20 percent in 2011. [5] [6] Despite the emphasis on the CSAT, it is not a requirement for a high school diploma.

On test day, the KRX stock market opens late, and bus and metro service is increased to avoid traffic jams and allow students to get to the testing sites more easily. Planes are grounded during the listening portion of the English section so their noise does not disturb the students. In some cases, students running late for the test may be escorted to their testing site by police officers via motorcycle. Younger students and members of the students' families gather outside testing sites to cheer them on.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Member Research Institute". NRCS. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  2. ^ "대학⌒수학⌒능력⌒시험大學修學能力試驗". NAVER Corp. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  3. ^ "2017년 대학수학능력시험부터 문과 • 이과 구분 폐지 검토…한국사 필수". Sportworldi.com. August 27, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  4. ^ "The One-shot Society". The Economist Limited Newspaper 2013. December 17, 2011. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  5. ^ "2024학년도 대학수학능력시험 응시자 현황". Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "South Korean students' 'year of hell' culminates with exams day". Cable News Network. November 10, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  7. ^ "The All-Work, No-Play Culture Of South Korean Education". NPR. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.