College Scholastic Ability Test
The College Scholastic Ability Test or CSAT (Korean: 대학수학능력시험, Hanja: 大學修學能力試驗), also abbreviated Suneung (Korean: 수능, Hanja: 修能), is a standardized test which is recognized by South Korean universities. The Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) administers the annual test on the third Thursday in November. In 2020, however, it was postponed to the first Thursday in December (December 3), due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| College Scholastic Ability Test | |
| Hangul | |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Daehak Suhak Neungnyeok Siheom |
| McCune–Reischauer | Taehak Suhak Nŭngnyŏk Shihŏm |
CSAT was originally designed to assess the scholastic ability required for college. Because the CSAT is primary factor considered during the Regular Admission round, it plays an important role in South Korean education. The test has been cited for its efficiency, emphasis on merit, and good international results. Of the students taking the test, 20 percent are high-school graduates who did not achieve their desired score the previous year. Despite the emphasis on the CSAT, it is not a requirement for a high school diploma.
On test day, the KRX stock market opens late, and bus and metro service is increased to avoid traffic jams and allow students to get to the testing sites more easily. Planes are grounded during the listening portion of the English section so their noise does not disturb the students. In some cases, students running late for the test may be escorted to their testing site by police officers via motorcycle. Younger students and members of the students' families gather outside testing sites to cheer them on.