In the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), graduates (N students) achieved average standard scores that were 13.3 points higher in Korean and 12.1 points higher in math than current students. The proportion of top grades (1st and 2nd levels) also showed that graduates significantly outperformed current students across all subjects, highlighting a clear advantage for N students. Additionally, students from private schools, all-boys schools, and urban areas exhibited a strong presence in the top scoring brackets, indicating persistent disparities based on student background and school environment.
The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation announced these findings on September 16, based on an analysis of 493,896 total test-takers. The analysis of school background and regional differences was derived from the scores of 320,882 students from general high schools, specialized high schools, and autonomous high schools (including standard scores and grades in Korean, math, and English).
The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation announced these findings on September 16, based on an analysis of 493,896 total test-takers. The analysis of school background and regional differences was derived from the scores of 320,882 students from general high schools, specialized high schools, and autonomous high schools (including standard scores and grades in Korean, math, and English).
N Students Show Dominance... Female Students Excel in Korean, Male Students in Math
The performance gap between graduates and current students was pronounced. Graduates scored an average of 109.4 in Korean and 108.6 in math, compared to current students who scored 96.1 in Korean and 96.5 in math, resulting in a difference of 13.3 points in Korean and 12.1 points in math. The gap in top grades was even wider.
In terms of the top grade ratio, graduates achieved 8.0% in Korean and 8.7% in math, while current students recorded only 3.3% in Korean and 2.9% in math. In English, the top grade ratio for graduates (4.8%) was double that of current students (2.4%). The proportion of lower grades (8th and 9th levels) was lowest among graduates across all subjects. Students from the high school equivalency exam averaged 99.3 in Korean and 95.6 in math.
Gender analysis revealed differing trends across subjects. Female students scored an average of 100.5 in Korean, surpassing male students who scored 99.5. In math, male students led with an average of 102.7, compared to female students at 97.0. The combined ratio of top grades showed that male students outperformed in both Korean (11.6% for males, 11.0% for females) and math (17.2% for males, 9.1% for females), while female students slightly led in English (17.6% for females, 17.3% for males). The proportion of lower grades was lower for female students in Korean and English, while male students had a lower rate in math.
In terms of the top grade ratio, graduates achieved 8.0% in Korean and 8.7% in math, while current students recorded only 3.3% in Korean and 2.9% in math. In English, the top grade ratio for graduates (4.8%) was double that of current students (2.4%). The proportion of lower grades (8th and 9th levels) was lowest among graduates across all subjects. Students from the high school equivalency exam averaged 99.3 in Korean and 95.6 in math.
Gender analysis revealed differing trends across subjects. Female students scored an average of 100.5 in Korean, surpassing male students who scored 99.5. In math, male students led with an average of 102.7, compared to female students at 97.0. The combined ratio of top grades showed that male students outperformed in both Korean (11.6% for males, 11.0% for females) and math (17.2% for males, 9.1% for females), while female students slightly led in English (17.6% for females, 17.3% for males). The proportion of lower grades was lower for female students in Korean and English, while male students had a lower rate in math.
Private and All-Boys Schools Dominate Top Grades
Students from private schools outperformed those from public schools. The average standard scores for private schools were 99.4 in Korean and 99.6 in math, exceeding public schools' scores of 94.9 in Korean and 95.3 in math by 4.5 points and 4.3 points, respectively. The combined ratio of top grades also showed private schools leading with 10.8% in Korean, 12.6% in math, and 17.7% in English, compared to public schools' 6.7% in Korean, 8.0% in math, and 12.6% in English. The proportion of lower grades was also lower in all subjects for private schools.
In comparing school types, all-boys schools showed a significant concentration of top scores. In Korean, girls' schools scored an average of 98.5, higher than all-boys schools at 97.5 and coeducational schools at 95.9. However, in math, all-boys schools led with an average of 101.1, far surpassing coeducational schools (95.9) and girls' schools (95.7).
Notably, the combined ratio of top grades showed all-boys schools achieving 9.5% in Korean (4.1% in 1st grade, 5.4% in 2nd grade), 14.4% in math (5.0% in 1st grade, 9.4% in 2nd grade), and 15.6% in English (2.6% in 1st grade, 13.0% in 2nd grade), leading in all three subjects. Girls' schools had the lowest rates in the 8th and 9th grade categories for Korean and English, while all-boys schools had the lowest in math.
In comparing school types, all-boys schools showed a significant concentration of top scores. In Korean, girls' schools scored an average of 98.5, higher than all-boys schools at 97.5 and coeducational schools at 95.9. However, in math, all-boys schools led with an average of 101.1, far surpassing coeducational schools (95.9) and girls' schools (95.7).
Notably, the combined ratio of top grades showed all-boys schools achieving 9.5% in Korean (4.1% in 1st grade, 5.4% in 2nd grade), 14.4% in math (5.0% in 1st grade, 9.4% in 2nd grade), and 15.6% in English (2.6% in 1st grade, 13.0% in 2nd grade), leading in all three subjects. Girls' schools had the lowest rates in the 8th and 9th grade categories for Korean and English, while all-boys schools had the lowest in math.
Urban-Rural Disparities Persist... Seoul Leads in All Categories
Analysis by school location revealed a clear gap between urban and rural areas. The average standard score in Korean for urban areas was 98.9, while rural areas scored 93.1, a difference of 5.8 points. In math, urban areas scored 99.1, compared to 93.7 in rural areas, a gap of 5.4 points. The combined ratio of top grades also showed urban areas achieving 10.0% in Korean, 12.0% in math, and 17.4% in English, while rural areas remained at 6.0% in Korean, 6.5% in math, and 10.4% in English. The proportion of lower grades was lowest in urban areas across all subjects.
In an analysis of the 17 provinces, Seoul's dominance was evident across all subjects. Seoul recorded the only average standard scores exceeding 100, with 102.4 in Korean and 102.3 in math, ranking first nationwide. The top grade ratios also showed Seoul leading with 6.0% in Korean, 6.3% in math, and 4.7% in English, the highest in the country. Following Seoul in average standard scores for Korean were Jeju (99.9), Sejong (98.4), and Daegu (98.2), while in math, Daegu and Sejong (both 98.4), Busan (98.2), and Jeju (98.1) followed Seoul.
Among schools with more than 30 test-takers, Jeju had the smallest average score gap in both Korean (29.7 points) and math (33.2 points), indicating the least disparity among schools. In contrast, the largest gaps were found in Gyeonggi for Korean (55.4 points) and in Seoul for math (55.4 points).
In an analysis of the 17 provinces, Seoul's dominance was evident across all subjects. Seoul recorded the only average standard scores exceeding 100, with 102.4 in Korean and 102.3 in math, ranking first nationwide. The top grade ratios also showed Seoul leading with 6.0% in Korean, 6.3% in math, and 4.7% in English, the highest in the country. Following Seoul in average standard scores for Korean were Jeju (99.9), Sejong (98.4), and Daegu (98.2), while in math, Daegu and Sejong (both 98.4), Busan (98.2), and Jeju (98.1) followed Seoul.
Among schools with more than 30 test-takers, Jeju had the smallest average score gap in both Korean (29.7 points) and math (33.2 points), indicating the least disparity among schools. In contrast, the largest gaps were found in Gyeonggi for Korean (55.4 points) and in Seoul for math (55.4 points).
* This article has been translated by AI.
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