[2023 CSAT] Third Masked CSAT... Exam Chairperson: "Questions Aligned with Curriculum Level"

Over 2,400 COVID-Positive Examinees to Take Exams at Separate Venues
CSAT Objections Accepted from 17th to 21st, Answers Announced on 29th

On the 17th, the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, a test taker is moving to the exam site at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) was held on the 17th. Due to the resurgence of COVID-19, the number of infected test-takers increased significantly, and examinees took the test while wearing masks.

Park Yunbong, Chair of the CSAT Question Committee (Professor of Chemistry at Chungnam National University), stated at the CSAT question direction briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex that day, "The questions were created in accordance with the content and level of the high school curriculum," adding, "To produce highly valid questions, even if the core and basic content had been previously tested, the form, concept, and approach of the questions were changed."

The CSAT was conducted at 1,400 test centers across 84 test districts nationwide. There were 1,265 general test centers, 110 separate test centers, and 25 hospital test centers. The separate and hospital test centers can accommodate up to 12,800 people. Last year, infected test-takers could take the exam at hospitals or residential treatment centers, but this year, separate test centers were prepared for infected examinees. Approximately 2,400 examinees are estimated to be in quarantine due to the COVID-19 resurgence.

The number of test-takers this year was 508,030, a decrease of 1,791 (0.4%) compared to the previous year. The number of current high school students decreased by 10,471 to 350,239 (68.9%), while graduates increased by 7,469 to 142,303 (28.0%). Other applicants, including those who passed the qualification exam, numbered 15,488 (3.1%). The proportion of graduates and qualification exam passers is 31.1%, the highest since the 1997 academic year.

The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation will accept objections from today until 6 p.m. on the 21st. The objection review period is from the 22nd to the 29th. The correct answers will be finalized and announced at 5 p.m. on the 29th. CSAT scores will be notified to examinees on December 9.