Multiple-Choice CSAT Is Coming... Focus on Mastering the Basics Rather Than Predicting Difficulty

No Division Between Humanities and Sciences: Common Korean and Math + Elective Subjects
EBS Linkage Rate Reduced to 50%, March Academic Assessment as a Benchmark
Choose Subjects Considering Target University and Department Electives

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) is characterized by the elimination of the division between humanities and sciences and the expansion of elective subjects in Korean and Mathematics. The CSAT will be held on November 18. The June mock exam will be conducted on June 3, and the September mock exam on September 1. The number of test takers this year is expected to increase by about 14,000 from last year, reaching 450,000.

Changed CSAT: More Elective Subjects and Reduced EBS Linkage Rate

Until last year, there were no elective subjects in Korean, and Mathematics was divided into Type A and Type B according to the academic track. Starting this year, it changes to a mixed format of common and elective subjects. Korean has 'Reading and Literature' as common subjects, and students can choose one from the electives (Speech and Writing, Language and Media). Mathematics has 'Mathematics I and Mathematics II' as common subjects, and students select one from Probability and Statistics, Calculus, or Geometry to take the exam.

In the Korean section, out of a total of 45 questions, 34 are from common subjects and 11 from elective subjects. In the Mathematics section, out of 30 questions, 22 are from common subjects and 8 from elective subjects. For the Korean History and Inquiry sections, separate answer sheets are provided to test takers. English, Korean History, Classical Chinese, and Second Foreign Languages are graded on an absolute scale. From this year, Classical Chinese and Second Foreign Languages, which have adopted absolute grading, will be divided into grades at 5-point intervals.

Inquiry subjects allow students to choose two subjects from 17 options without distinction between social and science tracks. In the vocational inquiry section, students select two subjects from six, taking the common subject 'Successful Career Life' and one elective from five subjects by track. Even with more elective subjects, students must choose the subjects required by the universities or departments they wish to enter.

There are concerns that the 'elective CSAT,' which administers the test commonly without dividing subjects by humanities or sciences, may disadvantage humanities students. In Mathematics, score gaps may widen depending on ability, raising worries that science students will relatively secure higher grades.

Kang Taejung, President of the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, explained, "We set the weight of the common parts of Korean and Mathematics at 75%. The results from common subjects will be a very important criterion to compensate for differences in elective subjects."

Lim Seongho, CEO of Jongro Academy Haneul Education, said, "Since in the regular admission, humanities students compete with humanities students and science students with science students, there will be no significant disadvantage in scores, but humanities students may be disadvantaged regarding minimum grade requirements in early admission."

This year, the linkage rate of EBS lectures and textbooks to exam questions will decrease from 70% to 50%. In the English section, all linked questions will be presented in an indirect linkage format.

Strategies for the 2022 CSAT

On the morning of the 3rd, when the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test was held, examinees at the test site of Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul, received test papers and marked their answer sheets.

Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), this year's CSAT, postponed by two weeks, was taken simultaneously at 1,383 test sites in 86 test districts nationwide, with a record low of 493,433 examinees. 2020.12.3

In the 2022 CSAT, careful consideration is needed when choosing elective subjects. Even with high scores, the standard score may be low, and incorrect choices may make it impossible to apply to desired universities. Even repeat test takers are not at a disadvantage since the test scope remains the same.

Top-tier natural science universities require Calculus or Geometry and Science Inquiry subjects for Mathematics. Fifty-six universities specify Calculus and Geometry, but some medical schools (Kangwon National University, Catholic Kwandong University, Konyang University, Gyeongsang National University, Soonchunhyang University) also accept students who took Probability and Statistics. No universities have specified elective subjects for Korean. The proportion of applicants choosing Korean and Mathematics electives is expected to become clear after the March academic assessment.

Lee Manki, Director of Uway Education Evaluation Research Institute, said, "Rather than premature difficulty predictions, students should focus on mastering the basics. The difficulty of English is expected to rise this year, but since Korean and Mathematics have elective subjects, predictions are difficult, so study should focus on EBS textbooks."

Oh Jongwoon, Director of Jongro Academy Haneul Education, explained, "To reduce risks associated with choices, top-tier students should consider subjects with many test takers, difficult subjects, or subjects with lower applicant levels as advantageous."

The March academic assessment, the first mock exam for high school seniors to gauge their standing, will be held on the 25th. It is an opportunity to identify target universities, career paths, strengths, and weaknesses. Repeat test takers do not take the exam, but since there are many variables such as subject difficulty and number of applicants, it is important to receive diagnosis through the first nationwide mock exam and plan study accordingly.

For Korean, students should set an annual study plan and familiarize themselves with the new CSAT question types by referring to the 2022 CSAT sample questions. Preparation for elective subjects in both Korean and Mathematics should begin. For Korean, students with good conceptual understanding or memorization skills are known to choose Language and Media.

In Mathematics, it is advisable to focus on weak subjects or units, and since it is difficult to judge advantages or disadvantages of elective subjects, choosing subjects of strength is recommended. Although the English linkage rate has decreased to 50%, neglecting study of textbooks or lectures is not advisable, and since unlinked parts may be relatively difficult, preparation for high-level questions is necessary. Director Lee said, "The March mock exam is a stepping stone and starting point for score improvement under the new 2022 CSAT system."

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