[2026 CSAT] Admissions Industry: "Korean Language Section Similar to or Harder Than Last Year... Increased Reading Difficulty"

"Easier Than the September Mock Test"
High Difficulty in Reading Section
Top Standard Score Expected Between September Mock Test and Last Year's CSAT

Regarding the difficulty level of the Korean Language section in the first period of the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), the admissions industry analyzed that it was similar to or somewhat more difficult than last year's CSAT. The Korean Language section consists of common subjects (Reading, Literature) and elective subjects (Speech and Composition, Language and Media). Among these, the reading section was generally considered to be more difficult than both last year's CSAT and the mock test held in September this year.

On the morning of the 13th, when the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) was held, a test taker was preparing for the exam at the testing site set up at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 251113. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the 13th, Jongro Academy stated in its analysis, "It was somewhat easier than the difficult September mock test, and similar to last year's CSAT," adding, "Overall, the questions were designed to differentiate students' abilities." The academy further estimated, "Questions 1 to 17 in the reading section were likely challenging for most test takers," and noted, "Although the science and technology passages were linked with EBS materials, the content was something students typically find difficult, which may have added pressure."

In the elective subjects, 'Speech and Composition' was considered relatively straightforward, while 'Language and Media' was analyzed to be easier than the difficult September mock test but at a similar level to last year's CSAT. The analysis also pointed out, "Since 'Language and Media' required more factors to be considered in choosing the correct answers, it likely took more time than usual."

Uway analyzed that "it was more difficult than last year's CSAT."

For the common sections, the reading part was evaluated as slightly more difficult than last year's CSAT and the September mock test, while 'Speech and Composition' was considered similar to the CSAT. 'Language and Media' was found to be on par with the September mock test but more difficult than the CSAT.

In the case of the reading section, questions 10 to 13, which dealt with "the phenomenon of thermal expansion and actuators as science and technology topics," were directly linked to the concepts of thermal expansion and Invar, making them familiar, but there were many concepts to understand. Uway predicted, "There were many answer choices that required comparison based on concepts, which likely made it difficult for students."

Kim Byungjin, Director of the Educational Evaluation Research Institute at Etoos, also analyzed, "It was more difficult than last year's CSAT but easier than this year's September mock test," adding, "The reading section was relatively difficult, while the literature and elective subjects were less so." He further noted, "The key seems to be how students who saved time in the literature and elective sections managed the reading section."

Director Kim predicted, "Last year, the highest standard score for the Korean Language section was 139, and it was 143 in the September mock test. This year's CSAT is likely to fall somewhere in between."

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