Average Admission Grades Decline Annually
Case of Busan Gyodae Admission with 4th Grade in CSAT
"Impact of Population Decline and Decrease in Teacher Authority"
A student with a 4th-grade score on the CSAT was admitted to Busan National University of Education. Some analysts suggest this may signal the collapse of the dominance of education universities.
According to the 2023 freshman admission results recently released by Busan National University of Education, it was reported by Busan Ilbo on the 31st that a student with an average 4.25 grade across four CSAT subjects (Korean, English, Math, and Inquiry) was admitted through the regular admission process.
This score corresponds to approximately the 59th percentile. When converting test takers to 100 people, this ranks 41st. Last year, the minimum score was at the 84.5th percentile or a 2.63 grade, so this represents a significant drop in just one year.
As the popularity of education universities declined, it was confirmed that a student with a 4th-grade score on the CSAT was admitted to Busan National University of Education. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Additionally, the early admission enrollment rate, which reflects students' school preference, also fell from 89.1% last year to 81.9%. This year, Busan National University of Education recruited 199 students through regular admissions but only 196 enrolled, failing to fill 3 spots. Combining regular and early admissions, it can be seen that 258 initially admitted students declined enrollment at Busan National University of Education.
Looking at the average grade of admitted students, the decline in scores is clear. The average grade was 1.85 in 2021, dropped to 2.11 in 2022, and further fell to 2.63 this year.
According to admissions experts, the cutoff grade for admission to top-tier universities in the Seoul metropolitan area is around grade 2. The decline in the popularity of education universities is largely attributed to the narrowing of teacher employment opportunities and the erosion of teachers' authority. From the perspective of top students, the motivation to enter education universities has weakened, leading to lower competition rates and admission scores.
According to the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, the number of successful candidates for public elementary school teachers over the past three years was 374 in 2021, 350 last year, and 328 this year. Approximately 200 students graduate annually from Busan National University of Education, but the number of teacher hires is decreasing each year. Therefore, for applicants, entering an education university no longer guarantees teacher employment.
Furthermore, the reality of teachers being assaulted by students and the resulting decline in teachers' authority is also cited as a reason for avoiding education universities.
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