College Scholastic Ability Test


College Scholastic Ability Test or CSAT is a type of standardized test accepted by South Korean universities. KICE, Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation, offers and manages the test every November. Though first designed to just assess scholastic ability required for education in college, it nowadays functions as a national graduation test which asks all the contents students learned in high school. Determining which university the student can enter, the CSAT plays an important role in education in South Korea. It has been praised for its efficiency, meritocratic factors and high international results. Of the students taking the test, the percentage of re-takers is about 20%.
On the test day, the stock markets open late, buses and subways are increased to avoid traffic jams that could prevent students from getting to testing sites, and planes are grounded so the noise does not disturb the students. In some cases, when some students are running late to the test, they are escorted by police officers. Younger students and the members of the students' families gather outside testing sites to cheer on the students.

Outline

Purpose

CSAT is designed for testing candidates' ability to study in colleges, making questions based on the high school curriculum of Korea to normalize high school education, and providing accurate and objective materials to help college admit students.

Schedule

All questions are multiple-choice, except for the second part of the Mathematics section.

Sections

It consists of 6 sections: National Language, Mathematics, English, Korean History, Subordinate Subjects, and Second Foreign Languages/Chinese Characters and Classics. All sections are optional with the exception of the Korean History Section, which is required for all candidates. Despite this, most candidates choose to take all sections except for Second Foreign Languages/Chinese Characters and Classics. For the Mathematics section, candidates choose to take either 'type Ga' or 'type Na'. The former is more difficult than the latter. Subordinate Subjects is divided into three sections: Social Studies, Sciences, and Vocational Education. Candidates can choose up to two subjects, but can't select from different sections at the same time. For example, one can choose Physics II and Biology I for the subordinate section since both are in Science section, but can't choose World History and Principles of Accounting because the former is in the Social Studies section and the latter is in the Vocational Education section. Only candidates who graduated vocational high school can choose Vocational Education section. In the Second Foreign Languages/Chinese Characters and Classics section, candidate choose only one subject. Most high-ranked universities require applicants to take two science subordinate subjects and type Ga in Math section if they apply to STEM major. In this case, they don't also accept combinations of subordinate subjects in same field, such as Physics I + Physics II.

National Language

In National Language section, candidates are assessed on their ability to read, understand and analyze given texts written in Korean fast and accurately. The 45 questions of the subject is classified into four categories:
This category consists of three passages with 10 questions. The first passage is a script of lecture or radio programme, the second one is another script of debate about an aritlce and the last one is an argumentative essay. Although the name includes 'Speech', candidates don't really speech; they just read the script of scripts.
Grammar
This category consists of 5 questions, for two of which a passage is given. Candidates are assessed on their ability to apply the knowledge of Korean grammar and Hangul. Knowledge of changes that happened in Korean from 15th century to today is required as well. It is suggested to spend about 20 minutes on this and Speech and Writing to save time for Reading and Literature.
Reading
This category consist of three articles, each with 4, 5 or 6 questions. The given articles are not only notoriously long but also on topics of abstract and complicated issues; Physics, Engineering, Economics, Law, Philosophy or Aesthetics is chosen for their topic normally. Recently, the topics are often presented in fusion. Candidates need to answer questions such as " Which one does NOT agree with the passage above?" or "According to the passage, which one is correct analysis of the following example?". Many students lose the most points here.
Literature
This category consist of four texts, each with 3, 4, 5 or 6 questions. The first text is a comparation of modern Korean novel and scenario or Play script. The second one is a comparison of two modern Korean poems. The third one is part of Korean novel or Pansori and the last one is Korean poem, both of which are created in Silla era to Joseon era. Candidates should determine which one is the most accurate impression of the given text.

Mathematics

Mathematics section is divided into type Ga and type Na. Type Ga, usually taken by students applying for natural sciences majors, is based on Calculus, Geometry and Vector and Probability and Statistics, all of which are subjects taught in High school in South Korea. Type Na, usually taken by students applying for the humanities, is based on and Probability and Statistics. Most candidates choose to take type Na when they apply to CSAT. Below are the contents of base subjects.
TypeBase subjectContents-
GaCalculusI. Limit of sequence
Introduction to Limit, Limit of a sequence, Series, Squeeze theorem
II. Limit and Continuity of Function
Limit of a function, Continuous function, Extreme value theorem, intermediate value theorem
III. Derivation of Polynomial Function
Definition of Derivative and its application to Polynomial Function, mean value theorem, Maxima and minima
IV. Integration of Polynomial Function
Definition of Antiderivative and Integral, Fundamental theorem of calculus		V. Exponential function and Logartihmic function
Exponential functions, Logarithmic function and their Derivative
VI. Trigonometric function
Radian, Trigonometric functions and their Derivative
VII. Derivations
Quotient rule, Chain rule, Derivative of Inverse function, Second derivative
VIII. Integrations
Integration by parts, Integration by substitution, Cavalieri's principle
GaGeometry and VectorI. Curve on plane
Conic section, Implicit function and its derivation, parameter
II. Vector on plane
Vector and its operations, position vector, plane vector, Inner product space, Outer product
III. Three-dimensional Figure and Coordinate
Theorem of three perpendiculars, Orthographic projection, Equation of a Sphere
IV. Vector in Three Dimension
Operations of vector in three dimension, Equation of a plane		-
BothProbability and StatisticsI. Permutation and Combination
Number of outcomes, Addition rule, Rule of product, Permutation, Combination, Binomial theorem, Partition of integer and set
II. Probability
Probability, Conditional probability
III. Statistics
Discrete Random Variable, Continuous random variable, Probability distribution, Estimation		-

Subordinate Subjects

Application

One who has graduated high school or passed GED has the opportunity to apply for the test. Students about to graduate high school can apply as well.

Distributing test papers and OMR cards

After KICE prints all test papers and OMR cards, they are distributed 3 days before the test to each test area by Police and each education office. In 2018, there were 85 test areas.

Testing room

All test monitors are middle school or high school teachers. Superintendents in each education office decide who will monitor and where they will go. There are two test monitors for each period, with the exception of the fourth period which has three monitors because of the test paper collection. Most testing rooms are classrooms in high schools. There can be no more than 28 candidates in each testing room.

Scoring

Except for the English section and the Korean History section, all grades are based on a curve, by Stanine. Grade, percentile and standard score of each section and subject are written in transcript. The standard score is calculated by the formula below:
is standard score. is Z score. is standard deviation of the standard score. is average of the standard score. In National Language and Mathematics section, is set to be 20 and is set to be 100. For the rest, is 10 and is 50. is calculated by the formula below:
is the candidate's original score. is the average of the original scores of candidates in the subject. is the standard deviation of candidates in the subject.

Difficulty

Compared to [SAT]

The CSAT is often compared to the American SAT, though the importance in both countries is fairly different. SAT Math is generally thought of as easier than CSAT Math.

Examples

Mathematics

Calculus
Below is the 30th problem in Mathematics subject type Ga of CSAT held in 2016.
A function defined for, where is a constant, and a quartic function whose leading coefficient is satisfy the three conditions below:
A) For all real numbers, such that,.
B) For two different real numbers and, has the same local maximum at and.
C) has more local extrema than does.
. Find the minimum of.
Below is the 29th problem in Mathematics subject for all applicants of CSAT held in 1996 that is considered to be the hardest one in history. It had correct response rates of 0.08%.
If two equations and have 7 and 9 solutions respectively and a set is an infinite set,, the number of elements in 's subset, varies according to the values of and. Find the maximum of.
Geometry and Vector
Below is the 29th problem in Mathematics subject type B, previous name of type Ga, of CSAT held in 2013.
and are points on the sphere. and are the foots of two perpendiculars from and to the plane respectively. and are the foots of two prependiculars from and to the plane respectively. Find the maximum of.

English

Below is a notorious problem in English subject of CSAT held in 2010 which had correct response rates of 9.77%. The article is extracted from J. L. Stocks's 'The Limits of Purpose'.

So far as you are wholly concentrated on bringing about a certain result, clearly the quicker and easier it is brought about the better. Your resolve to secure a sufficiency of food for yourself and your family will induce you to spend weary days in tilling the ground and tending livestock; but if Nature provided food and meat in abundance ready for the table, you would thank Nature for sparing you much labor and consider yourself so much the better off. An executed purpose, in short, is a transaction in which the time and energy spent on the execution are balanced against the resulting assets, and the ideal case is one in which__________________. Purpose, then, justifies the efforts it exacts only conditionally, by their fruits.
① demand exceeds supply, resulting in greater returns
② life becomes fruitful with our endless pursuit of dreams
③ the time and energy are limitless and assets are abundant
④ Nature does not reward those who do not exert efforts
⑤ the former approximates to zero and the latter to infinity

Preliminary College Scholastic Ability Test (PCSAT)

The Preliminary College Scholastic Ability Test is a preliminary examination for the CSAT that is hosted nationally. The relationship between PCSAT and CSAT is comparable to that of PSAT and SAT. PCSAT is divided into two categories: the National United Achievement Tests and the College Scholastic Ability Test Simulation . These two tests have more similar sample groups to the CSAT than private mock tests do. Moreover, the PCSAT's examiner committee is similar to that of the CSAT, so the types of questions resemble those seen in the CSAT. In particular, since the CSAT Simulation is hosted by the same institution as the CSAT, it is being used to predict the level of difficulty or the types of questions that might appear in the same year's CSAT.
Although both the NUAT and the CSAT Simulation are similar to the CSAT regarding the number of examinees, types of questions, and relative difficulty, the NUAT is hosted by the Ministry of Education targeting only high school students. On the other hand, the CSAT Simulation is run by KICE and can be applied for by anyone who is eligible for the CSAT. Nevertheless, both exams function as reliable, official mock tests for the CSAT and both are graded by KICE.

National United Achievement Tests (NUAT)

The National United Achievement Test is administered in the same way as the CSAT. It was first introduced in 2002 to alleviate the dependency on private mock tests. High school students in South Korea can apply for this test, and local offices of education decide whether the test is administered in the district. Normally, every office of education throughout the nation participates in the NUAT to prepare the students for the CSAT; hence, the number of applicants is almost parallel to that of the CSAT. Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, Gyeonggi-do Office of Education, and Incheon Office of Education take turns creating the questions. KICE is in charge of grading and printing the report cards.
The basic structure of this exam is identical to that of the CSAT. For mathematics, social studies, science, and second language, the range the exam covers is determined by when the exam is held. In the case of the Korean and English sections, the questions are not directly from textbooks but still constructed in consonance with the curriculum.
As of 2014, there are four NUAT a year; however, it is not same for every district, and some have only two exams a year for freshmen and sophomores. While the NUAT for freshmen and sophomores is held in March, June, September, and November, seniors take tests in March, April, July, and October to avoid overlapping with months when the CSAT Simulation is held. These two tests are appropriate for relative evaluations such as measuring average score, percentage, or ranks since the PCSAT has more similar sample groups to the CSAT than private mock tests do.

Institutions in charge

The College Scholastic Ability Test Simulation is hosted by KICE, and unlike the NUAT, anyone who is eligible for the CSAT can also apply for this test. The CSAT Simulation was introduced after the CSAT failed to set the proper difficulty level in 2001 and 2002. It was first implemented in 2002, and during its early years, it was held only once a year, in September. Starting from 2004, it is being held twice a year, every June and September. The exam covers everything in the curriculum for the Korean and second language sections; for other sections, two-thirds of what the CSAT covers. However, the September exam covers everything in every section just like the CSAT.
The number of questions and test time per section is same as those of the CSAT.

History

Since the Liberation of Korea, South Korea has changed the methods of university and college admission at least twelve times. Some argue the number of changes can be extended to sixteen. The policies ranged from sometimes allowing colleges to choose on their own to outlawing hagwons. Because of this, parents and students had difficult times in adjusting to the changes. Some argue that the constant changes show an instability of the system as well as the sensitivity of the admission process to public opinion.
The very first methods of university and college admissions were left to the choice of the university. Each university was allowed to do as they like. The first form of CSAT appeared in the beginnings of 1960. The Supreme Council for National Reconstruction established an early form of CSAT from 1962 to 1963. It served as a qualification test for the students. However, due the small number of students passing the tests, the colleges soon had a shortage of students. The process was also criticized to have led to an inefficient selection of students, Due to this, the government scrapped the policy from 1964 to 1968. A similar policy was adopted in 1969 by the Third Republic of South Korea. The new test was called Preliminary College Entrance Examination. This policy continued mostly unchanged until 1981.
In 1981, the policy was significantly changed. The test name was changed to Preliminary College Preparations Examination. The cutline policy was scrapped. At this time, hagwons, or cram schools, were also outlawed. In 1982, the test name was changed to College Entrance Strength Test.
The current system of CSAT was established in 1993, although it went through several revisions since then. In 2004, the government of South Korea introduced a policy called 2008 College Admissions Change Proposal but failed to bring about significant changes.

Current

The test material is based on nation-standard textbooks and designed to prompt thinking skills. The Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation is officially in charge of making the problems, printing the tests, correcting the tests, supervising the test-making processes, setting the test fee, and admitting the tests. The problems are created by members of the KICE, university-level professors, and high-school teachers. There are two groups involved with making the problems, the 'creating problems' group and 'checking over the problems' group. The former group is mainly made out of professors, though high-school teachers have been included in the group since the year 2000. The latter group is composed only of high-school teachers. Those involved in making the problems sign non-disclosure agreement directly with the KICE. As of 2012, there were a total of 696 staff members involved in making the problems. A member of the problem-making group is paid around $300 per day.
The subjects of 2016 were: National Language, Mathematics, English language, Korean History, Social Studies/Science/Vocational Education, and Foreign language/Hanja. Students can choose from all or some of the subjects. The subjects Mathematics is also divided into type Ga and type Na. Students can choose from which test to take.
Korean History is a required subject, and if students do not take it, all the scores will be invalid.
The subject Social Studies is further divided into Life and Ethics, Ethics and Thought, Geography of Korea, Geography of the world, History of Eastern Asia, World History, Law and Politics, Society and Culture, and Economics. Students can choose two subjects out of those. In the Science section, students can choose from Physics 1, Chemistry 1, Biology 1, Earth Science 1, Physics 2, Chemistry 2, Biology 2, and Earth Science 2. Students can choose two subjects out of those. Vocational Education is divided to Agricultural Science, Industry, Commerce, Oceanography, and Home Economics. Students must choose one subject. However, the subject Vocational Education can only be taken if the student had completed 80% of the expert studies. Foreign Language is divided into German language 1, French language 1, Spanish language 1, Chinese language 1, Japanese language 1, Russian language 1, Arabic language 1, basic Vietnamese language, and Hanja 1. Students can choose one subject.
After the test, the administrators gather the test, scan the image, and correct the test. The correction of the test, including confirming the documentations and the grades, and printing of the results take around a month.
The test is taken extremely seriously and other day-to-day operations are grounded and delayed on the test day. Neither the students nor the administrators of the test could bring in cell phones, books, newspapers, foods, or any material that could distract the other test-takers in any way. Most of the complaints after the test had been involved the actions of the administrators, involving: talking, opening the windows, standing in front of their particular desks, sniffle, clicking a computer mouse, and eating chocolate. Test administrators are warned to not do anything that could distract the student in any way.
Listening components during the day of the test will also be broadcast nationwide at 1:10pm on EBS Radio. During these broadcasts, all flights will be grounded, and the general public is advised not to be alarmed by the changes in radio programming on EBS Radio since the programmes during the day of the test are subject to change.

Criticism

Pressure to perform well on the CSAT has been linked to stress, psychological depression and suicide.
In the 2018 SAT, multiple answers were found in question 25 of the Korean language, causing controversy.

Number of applicants

Year1993 1st1993 2nd1994199519961997
Applicant742,668750,181781,749840,661824,368885,321
Examinee716,326726,634757,488809,867795,338854,272

Year199819992000200120022003
Applicant868,643896,122872,297739,129675,759673,585
Examinee832,223868,366850,305718,441655,384642,583

Year200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Applicant610,257593,806588,899584,934588,839677,834712,227693,634668,527650,747640,619631,184
Examinee574,218554,345551,884550,588559,475638,216668,991648,946620,723606,813594,617585,332

Year20162017201820192020
Applicant605,988593,527594,924548,734
Examinee552,297531,327530,220484,737