"Although Report Cards Are Not Released"... Strategies for Utilizing the 'March Academic Assessment'

No Nationwide Unified Scoring
Use Scoring as an Opportunity for Self-Directed Learning

Review Subjects with High and Low Scores
Entrance Exam Institutions Offer Free Explanation Lectures
Prepare for the CSAT Targeting the June Mock Exam

On the 24th, students at Yeouido High School in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, are receiving the nationwide joint academic achievement test papers through a walk-through method to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The nationwide joint academic assessment for March, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and postponed for about a month, was conducted remotely on the 24th. Although it was the first nationwide evaluation and was called a "gauge" for university entrance exams, this year there will be no nationwide joint scoring or grade processing.

However, as this is the first mock exam of the year, students should make good use of it as an opportunity for self-directed learning. Students preparing for college entrance should use the test to check their level of preparation for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) and consider which admission track they will apply for among school records (curricular and extracurricular), essay, practical skills, and CSAT through upcoming mock evaluations.

◆Use it as an opportunity to check your standing= Compare your current scores with your learning progress in each subject from winter vacation through April to identify which subjects you performed well in and which you did not. If your overall study efficiency has not improved, you should review your study plan.

You need to carefully review the question types and solution processes for all questions in every subject. Kim Byung-jin, director of the Etoos Education Evaluation Research Institute, said, "If students have already solved last year's Grade 12 mock exams and CSAT questions, it would be helpful to compare last year's questions side by side with this year's academic assessment to analyze which types are similar or unfamiliar."

If you cannot understand the questions with just the academic assessment answer explanations, you can use free explanation lectures or materials provided by entrance exam institutions. Some institutions also offer mock applications to diagnose your scores.

On the 24th, the day of the National Joint Academic Achievement Test, a high school senior is taking the exam at a home in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul after receiving the test paper from the school. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

◆Prepare for the June mock evaluation= Unlike the academic assessment conducted by the education office, the June CSAT mock evaluation, which can also be taken by repeat test-takers, allows you to more accurately determine your standing.

Since this test’s scores are not officially compiled, it is difficult to objectively assess your position. The implementation of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education’s academic assessment scheduled for May 12 is still uncertain, so you should set the June CSAT mock evaluation as your final goal for the first half of the year and prepare for the CSAT accordingly.

There is also a forecast that the importance of the academic assessment conducted by the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, scheduled for July 22, may increase. Lee Manki, director of the Uway Education Evaluation Research Institute, said, "So far, the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education’s academic assessment has had relatively little pressure due to fewer group formations, but its importance may rise, so students should keep this in mind when taking the test," adding, "You should also do your best on the school written exams scheduled for early June and late July."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.