The 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) was held on November 14, 2024. Students exerted their efforts over a year and are now awaiting the announcement of the results. This CSAT is generally analyzed to have been easier than the previous year. In particular, the exclusion of so-called 'killer questions' in the Korean language section reduced the burden on examinees, and it is assessed that literature was easier compared to the previous year's CSAT, while reading was somewhat more challenging. The mathematics section is expected to secure more differentiation than Korean, further increasing its influence in the regular admissions. Also, there are opinions that the EBS linkage rate in the English section has increased, creating a favorable environment for developing practical skills. These changes in difficulty provide important implications for students' study strategies, and especially for top-tier students, there's an analysis that the outcome could depend on one or two questions or the elective subjects.
The scope of the 2025 CSAT was the same as the September mock test, covering the entire range. This shows the evaluation agency's consistent stance of assessing understanding of the entire high school curriculum. Also, the 'common + elective' subject structure was maintained for Korean, Mathematics, and Vocational Inquiry sections, and the 'system changed since the 22nd year' allowing students to choose up to two subjects without distinction between Social Studies and Science Inquiry sections, was applied identically. This is interpreted as a measure to enable examinees to strategically decide on elective subjects by leveraging their strengths and at the same time alleviating the concentration on specific subjects. The EBS linkage rate was maintained at 50% based on the number of questions, and efforts were made to enhance the sense of connection. This trend reflects the education authorities' will to strengthen school education and alleviate students' excessive burden of private education. Examinees should once again realize the importance of diligently building basic concepts and developing application skills despite these changes.
No direct connection has been found between the changes in the scope of the 2025 CSAT and Lee Hae-in's work. However, Lee Hae-in is remembered as a figure who gave deep resonance and comfort to examinees in the past. In particular, in the 2022 CSAT, a line from Lee Hae-in's poem 'Little Song 2,' 'Dreaming of soaring to the wide sky,' was used as the handwriting verification phrase, conveying a message of warm encouragement and hope to many examinees. For the examinees who had a difficult time during the COVID-19 pandemic, this phrase played a role in consoling their tired hearts and encouraging them towards the future, beyond simply preventing misconduct.
Lee Hae-in's poems provide comfort and opportunities for reflection to many people beyond generations. Although it did not directly affect the specific trends or scope of the 2025 CSAT, the message of hope and encouragement in her poems is still valid for all examinees who took the CSAT. To the examinees who have completed their long journey, the metaphor of 'soaring to the wide sky' symbolizes a new beginning and infinite possibilities, and it can be a warm piece of advice to value their own efforts and existence, regardless of the results. This is a very important value for young people who need to look at the big picture of their entire life beyond academic achievement.
With the increased differentiation in the mathematics section and the increase in the proportion of students in the humanities with a Grade 1 in mathematics, there is also a prospect that the 'invasion of the humanities' phenomenon will weaken. This means that examinees need to build a solid foundation by studying all subjects evenly, regardless of their major. Also, even if the EBS linkage rate is maintained, it is important to deepen basic concepts and develop the ability to apply them to various types of problems rather than simple memorization. A strategic approach is needed to carefully check the regular admission guidelines of each university and prioritize admission units that give advantageous reflection methods and bonuses to their scores. Flexible thinking and thorough analysis are essential to achieve successful results in the rapidly changing admission environment.
In conclusion, the 2025 CSAT attempted to provide a predictable environment for examinees by maintaining the existing test system along with some adjustments in difficulty. However, admissions are always a series of changes, and examinees need to be proactive in adapting to these changes. As the message in Lee Hae-in's poem conveys, it is important to believe in yourself and not lose hope, even in difficult processes. We sincerely support all examinees to do their best in their respective positions and hope that their efforts will lead to beautiful fruition that soars to the wide sky. Future education aims for holistic growth beyond just scores, and this is in line with the lessons that Lee Hae-in's poems give us.
Q1: How did the difficulty of the 2025 CSAT change compared to the previous year?
A1: The 2025 CSAT is generally assessed to have been easier than the previous year. In particular, 'killer questions' were excluded in the Korean language section, and the differentiation of the mathematics section was relatively increased.
Q2: What is the scope of the 2025 CSAT?
A2: The scope of the 2025 CSAT was the same as the September mock test, covering the entire range. The 'common + elective' subject structure was maintained for Korean, Mathematics, and Vocational Inquiry sections, and students could choose up to 2 subjects without distinction between Social/Science Inquiry sections.
Q3: How is Lee Hae-in related to the changes in the scope of the 2025 CSAT?
A3: Lee Hae-in has no direct connection to the changes in the scope of the 2025 CSAT. However, a line from her poem 'Little Song 2' was used as the handwriting verification phrase in the 2022 CSAT, giving great comfort and encouragement to examinees at the time.
Q4: What should examinees pay attention to after the 2025 CSAT?
A4: Examinees should accurately understand their position through the analysis of their self-scoring results and carefully check the regular admission guidelines of each university to find the admission process that is advantageous to them. Especially, as the influence of mathematics has increased, a strategic approach to this is important.
Related Links:
* EBSi Official Website: https://www.ebsi.co.kr/
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