"Excluding 'Killer Questions' Shocks Examinees... 'We Only Trust Our Teachers' in Confusion"

Response Indicates Increased Dependence on Private Education
Online Lecture Instructors Say "Just Study as You Have Been"

Confusion is spreading among high school seniors and their parents as news breaks that 'killer questions' will be excluded from the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).

The photo is unrelated to the article content. [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 19th, the ruling party and the government decided to exclude the so-called 'killer questions,' which were previously included to increase the discriminatory power of the CSAT.

Lee Tae-gyu, a member of the People Power Party, explained on the same day, "Killer questions are an easy way to increase the test's discriminatory power but are the fundamental cause driving students to private education," adding, "From now on, questions on content not covered in the public education curriculum will be excluded to ensure a fair CSAT evaluation."

However, with less than 150 days remaining until the CSAT in November this year, high school seniors and their parents are reacting with confusion, saying, "How can they do this just five months before the CSAT?"

If the direction of the CSAT changes, study methods must also be adjusted accordingly, but there is little time left to train for this.

"Since we don't know what kind of questions will appear on the September mock exam, I am confused about whether studying alone is the right approach," said a student who is now considering whether to enroll in a private academy.

In particular, the private education sector pointed out that since they produce and distribute analysis materials based on changes in the CSAT question trends, the release of analysis materials for the September mock exam or the CSAT might actually increase reliance on private education.

Other concerns included, "Each textbook has slightly different content, so what should we use as the standard for studying?" and "If killer questions disappear, won't the number of semi-killer questions increase, putting middle and lower-ranking students at a greater disadvantage?"

A photo shared by a famous social studies instructor on Instagram
[Photo by Instagram]

Regarding the current situation, major online lecture instructors conveyed through social media that "students should continue studying as they have been."

One Korean language instructor said, "We can only study as we have been doing," adding, "Let's not be swayed by the surrounding rumors that shake us; we should quietly continue on our own path."

Another math instructor said, "Don't be disturbed by the confusing atmosphere; let's study hard for the remaining five months," and "If the question trends become clearer, I will upload videos about them."

In response, students expressed comments such as "I will trust only my teacher" and "After all, the teacher is the only one I can trust," indicating that whether the exclusion of killer questions will be a fundamental solution to the private education problem remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, a government official stated, "This was already announced three months ago," and added, "Efforts for educational reform should not be shaken, nor should unnecessary anxiety among students and parents be provoked."

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