March Hakpyeong Scores vs CSAT Scores, More Cases of 'Decline' than 'Maintenance'

More Students Show 'Decline' in CSAT Scores Compared to March Mock Exam
"The Hypothesis That March Mock Exam Scores Reflect CSAT Scores Is Incorrect"
Higher Proportion Choosing Korean Literature and Calculus Compared to Last Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] An analysis of the correlation between the nationwide academic achievement test in March and the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) scores revealed that the rate of score decline from March to the CSAT is higher than the rate of maintaining scores.

On the 15th, Etoos analyzed the score trends by score range by summing the Korean, Math, and Inquiry scores (out of 300 points) of some users who used the 2022 academic year March achievement test and CSAT score grading service. The results showed that the rate of maintaining scores was the lowest and the rate of decline was the highest across all score ranges.

Among examinees who took Probability and Statistics and Social Inquiry, in the 280-285 point range, the rate of CSAT scores declining compared to the achievement test scores was 79%, the rate of increase was 15%, and the rate of maintenance was only 5%.

In the 240-245 point range, the decline was 67%, increase 21%, and maintenance 12%. In the 200-205 point range, decline was 57%, increase 37%, and maintenance 7%. The lower the score range, the higher the rate of score increase.

For examinees who took Calculus, Geometry, and Science Inquiry, the rate of CSAT score decline was higher. In the 280-285 point range, the rate of decline compared to the achievement test was 85%, increase 12%, and maintenance 3%. In the 240-245 point range, decline was 70%, increase 22%, and maintenance 9%. In the 200-205 point range, decline was 67%, increase 25%, and maintenance 8%.

Kim Byungjin, head of the Etoos Education Evaluation Research Institute, explained, "Since maintaining the March achievement test scores is the most difficult, the hypothesis that March achievement test scores represent CSAT scores is incorrect. The rate of 'decline' is high across all score ranges, and the rate of 'maintenance' is so low that even maintaining scores can be considered a success. There is also a definite rate of increase."

The number of test takers for the achievement test held on March 24 this year was 300,336, a decrease of 43,614 from the previous year (346,950). This was due to a decrease in the school-age population and many students taking the test at home due to COVID-19 infections.

Looking at the status of elective subject participation, the number of test takers for 'Speech and Writing' was 66.35% (196,795), down from 73.65% the previous year. This decline was influenced by an increase in students choosing Language and Media due to its tendency to yield higher standard scores. The number of Language and Media test takers was 34.65% (104,362), up from 26.37% the previous year.

In Math, the order of participation was Probability and Statistics (56.79%), Calculus (39.08%), and Geometry (4.13%). The participation rate for Probability and Statistics decreased by 3.79 percentage points from last year (60.53%), while Calculus increased by 5.73 percentage points from the previous year (33.35%). Geometry decreased by 1.69 percentage points from last year (5.82%). The rate of choosing Calculus instead of Probability and Statistics or Geometry increased.

The highest scores by Korean elective subject were Language and Media (144 points), higher than Speech and Writing (139 points). In Math, the order was Geometry (165 points), Calculus (164 points), and Probability and Statistics (158 points). For English, the number of students achieving the top grade was 3.44% (10,435) of all test takers. This is lower than 3.67% the previous year and 6.25% in the 2022 CSAT. Conversely, the numbers and proportions of students in the 2nd and 3rd grades increased.

Kim said, "Unlike other tests, in the 2022 March achievement test, students who chose 'Geometry' and scored a perfect score in Math showed the highest standard scores. Since there was only one such student in the actual frequency distribution table, most high scores in Math are likely from those who chose Calculus. Judging by the highest score distribution alone, the difficulty of Math in the March achievement test was very high. The English results reflect a combination of test difficulty and a decline in students' academic abilities."

Kim advised, "It is advisable not to be overly concerned with March achievement test scores but to identify and address weaknesses through upcoming mock exams. Checking your learning content right before the mock exam and evaluating the completeness and efficiency of your study based on whether answers are correct in the actual test is most important."

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