[2025 CSAT] Admissions Industry: "Math Easier Than Last Year... Difficulty Varies by Elective Subject"

Common subjects are generally easy
Probability and Statistics are easy, Geometry and Calculus are difficult

Regarding the difficulty level of the second session mathematics section of the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), the admissions industry evaluated it as easier than last year's CSAT but more difficult than the September mock exam this year. While the common subjects were set relatively easy, it was analyzed that there would be a gap in difficulty depending on the elective subjects.

On the 14th, Jongno Academy stated in their analysis report, "The common subjects were generally set easily, making the overall difficulty somewhat easier than last year's level," adding, "Basic discrimination was maintained, but the discrimination for top-tier applicants such as medical school candidates might be lower than last year." However, among the elective subjects, calculus and geometry were said to be set similarly or somewhat more difficult than last year. Difficult questions included number 20 (exponential functions) in the common subjects, and numbers 30 in calculus, 28 in geometry, and 30 in probability and statistics among the elective subjects.

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Etus Edu also viewed that the common subjects were easier than last year's CSAT and the June mock exam this year, but more difficult than the September mock exam. In particular, among the elective subjects, probability and statistics and geometry were similar or more difficult than last year, and calculus was set difficult, indicating the possibility of advantages or disadvantages depending on the elective subject chosen. Difficult questions included number 20 (exponential functions) and number 15 (differentiation) in the common subjects. Among the elective subjects, numbers 28, 29, and 30 in calculus, geometry, and probability and statistics respectively were analyzed as high-difficulty questions.

Megastudy Education also considered the test easier than last year's CSAT. Regarding the common subjects, they pointed out that question 14 on the application of trigonometric functions and question 20 on the composition of exponential functions might have caused confusion among test-takers. However, calculus among the elective subjects was evaluated as more difficult than last year's CSAT. Question 29 was set slightly more difficult than before, and questions 28 and 30 were designed to provide discrimination. In particular, question 30, which involved differentiation of composite functions and content from Mathematics I, was diagnosed as a question for which students likely lacked sufficient time to solve.

Daesung Academy gave a similar evaluation but assessed that the common subjects had a higher perceived difficulty than the September mock exam due to the larger amount of calculations. Among the elective subjects, probability and statistics were set easier, while calculus and geometry provided discrimination. In probability and statistics, question 30, in calculus questions 29 and 30, and in geometry question 30 were analyzed as having higher difficulty.

Uway also stated, "Overall, the test was set at a level similar to last year and somewhat easier than the June mock exam this year," diagnosing that "there will likely be a significant difference in standard scores between probability and statistics and calculus."

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