November 16 2024
Chaerin Lee
Yesterday, students across South Korea took the annual College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) for the 2025 academic year. The CSAT is held once a year in South Korea and is a very important exam. This year’s test was notable for two major trends: it was the first CSAT since the recent increase in medical school seats, and the number of “retakers” reached its highest level in 21 years, since 2004. Many high-achieving students students who have previously taken the test, including those aiming for medical school, contributed to a highly competitive environment.
The test was generally regarded as somewhat easier than in previous years, which is expected to intensify the competition among high-scoring students. It is roughly estimated that the Grade 1 (Top 4%) cutoff scores will be as follows: 93 for Korean Reading and Composition(국어영역 화법과 작문), 92 for Korean Language and Media(국어영역 언어와 매체), 87 for Calculus in Mathematics(수학영역 미적분), and 92 for Probability and Statistics in Mathematics(수학영역 확률과 통계).
Han Byung-hoon, a EBS Korean language instructor from Cheonan Central High School, stated in a briefing on November 14, 2024, at the Government Complex Sejong regarding the 2025 CSAT Korean section that “this year’s test maintained the trends seen in the September mock exam,” adding that “the overall difficulty level was easier than last year’s CSAT.” Because of this, admissions experts believe that perfect scores in Korean and Mathematics may be more common this year, making the social studies and science sections crucial for differentiation among high achievers.
As is unfortunately common, disruptions occurred in some test centers. At a high school in Jeongeup, the ending bell for the social studies section mistakenly rang 10 minutes early, causing confusion among students. A similar incident took place at a high school in Seoul, highlighting ongoing issues with the administration of this high-stakes exam.
This year’s CSAT results will be watched closely, as the increased number of high-achieving retakers and the easier questions may reshape the admissions landscape, especially for those aiming for competitive medical programs.