South Korea’s Suneung 2026 reform reshaped the nation’s most high-stakes academic event on Thursday morning. Over 500,000 students began the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) at 8:40 a.m., marking another step in the government’s effort to create a fairer and more balanced testing system.
This year’s Suneung followed the ongoing Suneung 2026 reform policy, which eliminates “killer questions” that extend beyond the national high school curriculum. The education ministry introduced these changes to reduce the dominance of private tutoring and restore faith in public education.
At a morning briefing in Sejong, Kim Chang-won, head of the question-setting committee, emphasized that the exam’s difficulty was carefully calibrated. He explained that the team removed questions favoring students who practiced test-taking techniques in private academies. Instead, the committee designed all sections to reflect what students learn in school.
Kim stated that every subject strictly adhered to the 2015 revised high school curriculum. The Suneung 2026 reform, he said, focused on testing core reasoning and understanding rather than technical tricks. “We created this year’s exam to ensure fair competition based solely on public education,” he noted.
The Korean language section measured the ability to interpret diverse texts and apply analytical thinking. Mathematics tested conceptual understanding and problem-solving rather than rote calculation. English questions drew only from the approved vocabulary list, maintaining consistency with the absolute grading system.
Kim also addressed student concerns about subject selection. He noted that the exam design aimed to minimize any advantage between social studies and natural science tracks. Students who studied diligently, he said, should expect fair results across all subjects.
Thursday’s test unfolded under unusually warm conditions, diverging from the typical “Suneung cold wave.” At testing sites nationwide, parents and teachers gathered early to offer final words of encouragement. In many schools, younger students cheered seniors with banners and chants, while police directed traffic to ensure smooth arrivals.
Temples and churches filled before dawn as families prayed for success on one of South Korea’s most defining academic days.
Following the exam, universities will begin early admissions reviews, with official score announcements scheduled for December. Regular admissions, including essays and practical tests, will continue through early next year.
The Suneung 2026 reform represents not only a shift in exam design but also a broader effort to realign South Korea’s education system toward fairness and public trust.
