A total of 551,864 applicants have registered for the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), scheduled for November 19. While the overall number of applicants has decreased slightly compared to last year, the number of current high school seniors applying has dropped by over 16,000. In contrast, the number of graduates (N students) applying has surged by more than 13,000, pushing the graduate ratio above 31%. This shift, along with a trend toward social studies and a significant increase in the selection of 'Probability and Statistics' in math, is expected to introduce considerable variables into this year's admissions landscape.
According to the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, the total number of CSAT applicants stands at 551,864, a decrease of 2,310 (0.4%) from the previous year (554,174). However, a closer look at the composition reveals a stark contrast between current students and graduates. The number of current high school seniors applying is 355,391, down by 16,506 (4.4%) from last year, accounting for only 64.4% of total applicants.
On the other hand, the number of graduates applying has increased to 173,706, up by 13,784 (8.6%) from the previous year, expanding their share to 31.5%. Additionally, the number of other applicants, including those taking the high school equivalency exam, has risen by 412 (1.8%) to 22,767 (4.1%).
As a result, the combined ratio of graduates and equivalency exam takers, referred to as 'N students,' now accounts for 35.6% of all applicants, which is likely to significantly impact competition for top-tier universities. In terms of gender distribution, male applicants number 283,216 (51.3%), while female applicants total 268,648 (48.7%), with decreases of 528 for males and 1,782 for females compared to last year.
Examining the subject selection, all 551,864 applicants submitted applications for the mandatory Korean history subject. Following that, 545,251 (98.8%) applied for the Korean language subject, 537,066 (97.3%) for English, 531,676 (96.3%) for the inquiry subject, and 518,939 (94.0%) for math. The second foreign language/Chinese character subject saw 122,209 (22.0%) applicants. Notably, the number of applicants for the second foreign language/Chinese character subject increased significantly by 18.3% (18,707) from the previous year, while applicants for the inquiry subject decreased by 5,199 (1.0%).
In major subject selections, trends indicate a clear preference for specific subjects due to the desire to reduce exam burden.
In the Korean language subject (with 545,251 applicants), 407,493 (74.7%) chose 'Speech and Writing,' while 137,758 (25.3%) opted for 'Language and Media.' In the math subject (with 518,939 applicants), 336,539 (64.9%) selected 'Probability and Statistics,' dominating the choices, while 168,199 (32.4%) chose 'Calculus,' and 14,201 (2.7%) selected 'Geometry.'
In the inquiry subject (with 531,676 applicants), 98.6% or 524,234 chose the maximum of two subjects, with 527,255 (99.2%) selecting social and scientific inquiry, and 4,421 (0.8%) opting for vocational inquiry. Among the social and scientific inquiry applicants (527,255), 367,073 (69.6%) took two social inquiry subjects, a significant increase from 61.0% last year. Conversely, the number of those taking two scientific inquiry subjects dropped sharply to 75,036 (14.2%) from 120,692 (22.7%) the previous year. Cross-applicants who chose one social inquiry and one scientific inquiry subject totaled 85,146 (16.1%).
In terms of specific subjects, 'Society and Culture' in social inquiry had the highest selection rate at 298,188 (56.6%), while 'Earth Science I' in scientific inquiry was chosen by 82,792 (21.7%). In vocational inquiry, 96.8% (4,280) selected the common subject 'Successful Career Living.' Among second foreign language/Chinese character applicants, 32.1% (38,954) chose 'Japanese I.'
Additionally, the newly introduced online pre-application system for the CSAT this year was utilized by 93.9% of all applicants, totaling 518,214. By category, 99.1% of current student applicants and 84.6% of graduates and other applicants used the online pre-application system.
According to the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, the total number of CSAT applicants stands at 551,864, a decrease of 2,310 (0.4%) from the previous year (554,174). However, a closer look at the composition reveals a stark contrast between current students and graduates. The number of current high school seniors applying is 355,391, down by 16,506 (4.4%) from last year, accounting for only 64.4% of total applicants.
On the other hand, the number of graduates applying has increased to 173,706, up by 13,784 (8.6%) from the previous year, expanding their share to 31.5%. Additionally, the number of other applicants, including those taking the high school equivalency exam, has risen by 412 (1.8%) to 22,767 (4.1%).
As a result, the combined ratio of graduates and equivalency exam takers, referred to as 'N students,' now accounts for 35.6% of all applicants, which is likely to significantly impact competition for top-tier universities. In terms of gender distribution, male applicants number 283,216 (51.3%), while female applicants total 268,648 (48.7%), with decreases of 528 for males and 1,782 for females compared to last year.
Examining the subject selection, all 551,864 applicants submitted applications for the mandatory Korean history subject. Following that, 545,251 (98.8%) applied for the Korean language subject, 537,066 (97.3%) for English, 531,676 (96.3%) for the inquiry subject, and 518,939 (94.0%) for math. The second foreign language/Chinese character subject saw 122,209 (22.0%) applicants. Notably, the number of applicants for the second foreign language/Chinese character subject increased significantly by 18.3% (18,707) from the previous year, while applicants for the inquiry subject decreased by 5,199 (1.0%).
In major subject selections, trends indicate a clear preference for specific subjects due to the desire to reduce exam burden.
In the Korean language subject (with 545,251 applicants), 407,493 (74.7%) chose 'Speech and Writing,' while 137,758 (25.3%) opted for 'Language and Media.' In the math subject (with 518,939 applicants), 336,539 (64.9%) selected 'Probability and Statistics,' dominating the choices, while 168,199 (32.4%) chose 'Calculus,' and 14,201 (2.7%) selected 'Geometry.'
In the inquiry subject (with 531,676 applicants), 98.6% or 524,234 chose the maximum of two subjects, with 527,255 (99.2%) selecting social and scientific inquiry, and 4,421 (0.8%) opting for vocational inquiry. Among the social and scientific inquiry applicants (527,255), 367,073 (69.6%) took two social inquiry subjects, a significant increase from 61.0% last year. Conversely, the number of those taking two scientific inquiry subjects dropped sharply to 75,036 (14.2%) from 120,692 (22.7%) the previous year. Cross-applicants who chose one social inquiry and one scientific inquiry subject totaled 85,146 (16.1%).
In terms of specific subjects, 'Society and Culture' in social inquiry had the highest selection rate at 298,188 (56.6%), while 'Earth Science I' in scientific inquiry was chosen by 82,792 (21.7%). In vocational inquiry, 96.8% (4,280) selected the common subject 'Successful Career Living.' Among second foreign language/Chinese character applicants, 32.1% (38,954) chose 'Japanese I.'
Additionally, the newly introduced online pre-application system for the CSAT this year was utilized by 93.9% of all applicants, totaling 518,214. By category, 99.1% of current student applicants and 84.6% of graduates and other applicants used the online pre-application system.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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