Reducing Burden on Examinees... Seoul National University, Sogang University, and Chung-Ang University Lower Early Admission Minimum Criteria

Changes in Admission Procedures at 56 Universities for 2022 Due to COVID-19
Only 3 Universities Eased Minimum CSAT Requirements... Seoul National University Requires Top 3 Grades in 3 Areas for Regional Balanced Admission
Calls to Advance Announcement Timing to Reduce Student Confusion

On the 6th, when the 2021 academic year early admission essay exam was held, examinees who finished the test were leaving Sungkyunkwan University in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Universities that conducted the essay exam on this day prohibited parents and vehicles other than examinees from entering the campus to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Due to the impact of COVID-19, universities have lowered the minimum CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) score requirements and reduced practical test categories in the 2022 college admissions process to ease the burden on applicants. Only three universities?Seoul National University, Sogang University, and Chung-Ang University?have relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements for early admissions.

The Korea Council for University Education approved requests to change university-specific admissions plans to ensure stable operation of university-specific exams. The council approved the relaxation of minimum CSAT score requirements only for admissions types with no change in the applicant pool and with limits on the number of school recommendations.

Seoul National University, Sogang University, and Chung-Ang University relaxed their minimum CSAT score requirements. Among them, Seoul National University lowered the standard in the Student Record Comprehensive (Regional Balanced Selection) track from requiring at least three out of four subjects to be within grade 2 to at least three out of four subjects within grade 3. This is the same level as last year's change.

Sogang University relaxed the minimum standard in the Student Record Curriculum (Principal's Recommendation) track from a total grade sum of 6 or less across four subjects (Korean, Math, English, and Inquiry) and Korean History within grade 4, to requiring three out of four subjects each within grade 3 and Korean History within grade 4.

Chung-Ang University’s main campus relaxed the Student Record Curriculum (Regional Balanced) track for humanities by changing the total grade sum of three subjects among Korean, Math, English, and Inquiry from 6 or less to 7 or less. For the natural sciences track (excluding the College of Pharmacy) at the main campus, the total grade sum of three subjects remains 7 or less; the Anseong campus maintains the standard of a total grade sum of 6 or less for two subjects, but changed the Inquiry subject evaluation from averaging two subjects to reflecting only the higher one. The College of Pharmacy maintains the existing requirement of a total grade sum of 5 or less across four subjects and reflects only the higher Inquiry subject.

Kim Byung-jin, director of the Etoos Education Evaluation Research Institute, explained, "Only Seoul National University, Sogang University, and Chung-Ang University have announced relaxation of the minimum CSAT score requirements for early admissions due to academic difficulties. Considering the difficulties faced by students hoping to apply to humanities tracks under the integrated CSAT, Chung-Ang University’s Regional Balanced track is the only one to relax the minimum standard."

Lee Manki, director of the Uway Education Evaluation Research Institute, said, "Although it is regrettable that only three universities relaxed the minimum standards, it will benefit general high school students who are weak in the CSAT."

List of Universities with Changes in the 2022 Academic Year College Admission Process (Source: Korea Council for University Education)

Other universities that changed their admissions mostly reduced practical test categories or changed the schedule, mainly for arts and physical education tracks, which does not significantly affect general high school students. Due to COVID-19, 22 universities changed the recognition scope for practical or achievement-based admissions as competitions or exams were canceled or postponed, and 20 universities reduced the categories or types of practical exams.

Seventeen universities changed the way they reflect evaluation elements, such as adjusting the selection ratio. Among them, Gachon University changed the Regional Balanced track in the Student Record Curriculum admissions from a combined evaluation method reflecting 60% curriculum and 40% interview to a two-stage evaluation. The first stage selects 10 times the number of candidates based on 100% curriculum, and the second stage reflects 60% curriculum and 40% interview.

Seven universities changed their admissions schedules: Dankook University (main campus and branch), Dongguk University (Gyeongju), Dongseo University, Yonsei University (Seoul), Incheon National University, and Hanyang University (Seoul). Among them, Yonsei University changed the Student Record Comprehensive (International type ? overseas high school, GED) interview from the existing on-site non-face-to-face recorded method to a non-face-to-face video interview where applicants upload videos that evaluators review.

Kim Byung-jin of Etoos advised, "Since some universities changed from combined to staged evaluations and altered interview formats, applicants should carefully check whether their desired universities have made changes before applying."

Concerns have been raised that changes in admissions plans just three months before early application submissions could confuse applicants. Lim Seong-ho, CEO of Jongro Academy Haneul Education, said, "Sudden changes to plans announced a year ago may disadvantage students who have worked hard in specific fields. If changes occur in the 2023 college admissions process, the announcement timing should be moved significantly earlier."

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