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CSAT / Suneung
College Scholastic Ability Test
📝 University Entrance Examination Paper-based Test (PBT) ⏱ Valid: 1 Year Since 1994 ⚡ Extremely High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
›
Score Range
Standard scores (0-200), Percentiles (0-100), and Grades (1-9).
Exam Fee
$35
Duration
400 minutes (Total testing time, excluding breaks and lunch).
Questions
Approximately 170 to 200 questions depending on the chosen Inquiry and Second Foreign Language subjects.
Score Valid
1 Year
Frequency
Once a year
Accepted By
Over 200
Pass Rate
Not applicable (It is a competitive ranking exam).
Difficulty
Extremely High
📝 Register for CSAT / Suneung 🌐 Official Website ✍️ Need application help? →
Quick Summary

CSAT / Suneung (College Scholastic Ability Test) is a university entrance examination conducted by Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE). Scores are valid for 1 Year. Accepted by Over 200, the exam fee is $35, with extremely high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
Standard scores (0-200), Percentiles (0-100), and Grades (1-9).
⏱
Duration
400 minutes (Total testing time, excluding breaks and lunch).
💳
Fee
$35
📅
Valid For
1 Year
🖥
Mode
Paper-based Test (PBT)
🌍
Accepted By
Over 200
🗓
Frequency
Once a year
🏛
Conducted By
Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE)
❓
Total Qs
Approximately 170 to 200 questions depending on the chosen Inquiry and Second Foreign Language subjects.
📑
Sections
Korean Language, Mathematics, English, Korean History, Inquiry (Social/Science/Vocational), Second Foreign Language/Chinese Characters.
⚡
Difficulty
Extremely High
📊
Pass Rate
Not applicable (It is a competitive ranking exam).
The ultimate test of a student's academic future in South Korea.
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
High school seniors, graduates (re-takers), and individuals with high school equivalency seeking admission to South Korean universities.
🎓 Education Level
Undergraduate / National Level
🌍 Accepted In
South Korea
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Multiple-choice (5 options) and short-answer questions (specific to the Mathematics section).
Language / Medium
Korean (Primary language for instruction and testing).
Total Duration
400 minutes (Total testing time, excluding breaks and lunch).
Retake Policy
Students may retake the exam annually; there is no limit on the number of attempts (often called N-su).
Total Questions
Approximately 170 to 200 questions depending on the chosen Inquiry and Second Foreign Language subjects.
Sections
Korean Language, Mathematics, English, Korean History, Inquiry (Social/Science/Vocational), Second Foreign Language/Chinese Characters.
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all ▾
Time Per Section
Korean: 80m, Math: 100m, English: 70m, Korean History/Inquiry: 102m (total for multiple papers).
Negative Marking
No
Calculator Allowed
No
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
Yes
Home Edition
No
Digital vs Paper
Currently, there is no digital version; the paper-based format is maintained to ensure maximum fairness and security.
📑 Section Details
Korean (45 questions), Math (30 questions), English (45 questions), Korean History (20 questions), Inquiry (20 questions per subject, choice of two).
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
Standard scores (0-200), Percentiles (0-100), and Grades (1-9).
Good / Passing Score
Varies (No single passing score; depends on university and department requirements).
How Scoring Works
Complex system utilizing Raw Scores converted to Standard Scores (T-scores), Percentiles, and absolute-graded Levels (1-9) for English and Korean History.
🏆 Minimum Scores for Top Universities
Varies by university; top-tier universities usually require Level 1 or 2 in core subjects.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all ▾
Writing
Not specified
Speaking
Not specified
Listening
Yes (Included as a component of the English section).
Reading
Yes (Primary component of Korean and English sections).
Grammar
Yes (Assessed within the Korean and English sections).
Vocabulary
Yes (Assessed within the Korean and English sections).
Analytical
Yes (Assessed via Mathematics and Science Inquiry).
Quantitative
Yes (Assessed via the Mathematics section).
Verbal
Yes (Assessed via the Korean Language section).
Subject
Yes
All Sub-Scores
Reported for each individual elective subject in the Inquiry section.
📈 Avg First Attempt
Varies by year; the mean standard score is calibrated to 100 per subject.
🔼 Score Improvement
High for students who enroll in 'Jaesu' (re-sit) academies, with many improving by one or two grade levels.
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
$35
See all ▾
35
Fee (INR)
₹2900
See all ▾
2900
Other
37,000 to 47,000 KRW depending on the number of subjects chosen.
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all ▾
⏰ Register in Advance
2 to 3 months (Registration typically occurs in August and September).
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Not permitted; students must register during the specific window and sit for the exam on the national date.
❌ Cancellation Policy
Full refunds are available only if registration is cancelled within the official registration period.
🔍 Score Verification
Yes
📋 Score Audit
Yes
↩ Reinstatement Policy
Not applicable
🎁 Fee Waiver Criteria
Exemptions for low-income families and recipients of National Basic Livelihood Security.
📅 Exam Dates & Schedule
📆 Available Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🔁 Frequency
Once a year
📊 Results Declared
Approximately 20 to 25 days after the examination date.
🔄 Retake Policy
Students may retake the exam annually; there is no limit on the number of attempts (often called N-su).
⏰ Register By
2 to 3 months (Registration typically occurs in August and September).
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
None
🎓 Education Required
High school graduation or equivalent qualification (GED).
🛂 Citizenship
None
📍 Test Centers
Approximately 1,200 to 1,300 locations nationwide.
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all ▾
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
Provisions for students with visual, hearing, or physical impairments, including extended time and specialized test materials.
🔀 Special Versions
Braille and screen-reader compatible versions for visually impaired candidates.
📐 Subject Variants
Calculus, Geometry, Probability & Statistics (Math electives); 17 Social/Science Inquiry options.
🤝 Disability Accommodations
Braille test papers, enlarged print, audio recordings, and separate testing rooms.
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
Admission ticket, ID card, computer-readable marker, correction tape, and analog watch.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Smartphones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earphones, digital cameras, and any electronic devices.
📋 Exam Day Rules
No electronic devices allowed; must enter the room by 8:10 AM; lunch must be brought by the student.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all ▾
⏱ Score Reporting
3 weeks
📤 Score Sending
Direct electronic transmission to universities via the national admission portal and physical certificates issued to students.
🎓 Score Recipients
All registered universities and colleges within the Republic of Korea.
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
36 months
🗓 Avg Prep Months
36 months
Preparation is a multi-year process involving rigorous high school curriculum mastery, specialized academy (hagwon) training, and EBS textbook study.
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Focus heavily on EBS-linked materials, master time management for the Korean Reading section, and maintain a consistent sleep schedule months before the test.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all ▾
📅 Study Plan
A three-year progression starting with fundamental concepts, followed by intensive problem-solving and full-length mock exams (KICE Mock) in the final year.
📖 Recommended Books
EBS Suneung Teukgang, EBS Suneung Wanseong, and KICE Past Official Exam Papers.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Megastudy, Daesung Mimac, Etoos, and EBSi.
📱 Popular Prep Apps
Qanda (Math solver), EBSi, and Yeolpumta (study timer).
✅ Official Practice Tests
KICE June Mock Evaluation and KICE September Mock Evaluation. — Free for current students; small administrative fee (approx 12,000 KRW) for graduates.
🆓 Free Online Resources
EBSi online lectures, KICE official archives for past papers, and the National Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) television programs.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Misallocating time on the 'Killer Questions,' failing to mark the OMR sheet before the buzzer, and neglecting the absolute-graded Korean History section.
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
Pay close attention to the June and September Mock Evaluations as they signal the difficulty level and question trends for the actual November exam.
⭐ Unique Features
50% linkage to EBS textbooks; the absolute silence mandated during the English listening test period nationwide.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
Extremely high; it is often the single most important factor for regular admission (Jeongsi) and acts as a minimum requirement for early admission (Susi).
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all ▾
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
The entire country shifts its schedule; flights are grounded during the English listening section, and police escort late students to test centers.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
Considerably more difficult than the SAT or ACT, with a greater focus on complex problem-solving and critical reading under extreme time pressure.
🆕 Recent Changes
Elimination of 'Killer Questions' (super-complex items) to reduce reliance on private education; introduction of elective-based Mathematics.
🔜 Upcoming Changes
A major overhaul is planned for 2028 which will unify Inquiry subjects and change the grading system.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: You must get 100% to enter Seoul National University. Fact: Standard scores mean you only need to perform better than your peers.
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Focus on the logic of the question rather than memorization; KICE examiners design questions that test the ability to apply concepts to new scenarios.
🏆 Success Stories
Countless stories of 'Gae-cheon-yong' (dragons from streams) who rise from poverty to top medical schools through high CSAT scores.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
Consult with school counselors, attend university admission fairs, and apply for Jeongsi (Regular Admission) in late December.
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Some scholarships and specific high-level government civil service entry points may review Suneung performance.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the CSAT / Suneung score valid?+
The CSAT / Suneung score is valid for 1 Year.
How much does the CSAT / Suneung cost?+
The exam fee is $35 (approximately ₹2900 in India).
How often can I retake the CSAT / Suneung?+
Students may retake the exam annually; there is no limit on the number of attempts (often called N-su).
When are CSAT / Suneung results declared?+
Approximately 20 to 25 days after the examination date.
Which universities accept the CSAT / Suneung?+
CSAT / Suneung is accepted by Over 200.
Is a calculator allowed in the CSAT / Suneung?+
No
How should I prepare for the CSAT / Suneung?+
Preparation is a multi-year process involving rigorous high school curriculum mastery, specialized academy (hagwon) training, and EBS textbook study.
📝
Register for CSAT / Suneung
The ultimate test of a student's academic future in South Korea.
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByKorea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE)
Year Started1994
CategoryUniversity Entrance Examination
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
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