Number of Applicants Decreased by 3,442 This Year
Enrolled Students Down by 20,000, Lowest Ever
Increase in 'Language and Media' and 'Calculus' Selectors
The number of test takers for this year's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) decreased by 0.7% compared to last year. The number of current students taking the exam dropped by 6.7%, while the number of graduates increased by 12.3%.
According to the "2024 CSAT Application Results" announced by the Ministry of Education on the 11th, the total number of test takers this year was 504,588, a decrease of 3,442 (0.7%) from last year.
Among them, the number of current students decreased by 23,593 (6.7%), and the number of graduates increased by 17,439 (12.3%). The number of current student test takers was 326,646, and graduates numbered 159,742. This is analyzed to be an effect of excluding 'killer questions.'
The number of other applicants, such as those taking the qualification exam, increased by 2,712 from last year to 18,200.
According to analysis data from Jongno Academy, the proportion of graduates, which was the highest ever at 38.9% in 1995 and 37.3% in 1996, maintained the 20% range from 2002 (26.7%) until last year (31.1%), then rose again to the 30% range. On the other hand, the number of current students recorded the lowest ever at 326,646 since the first CSAT in 1994. In terms of proportion, it dropped further from last year's 68.9%, which was already in the 60% range.
On the 6th, students are preparing for the exam at Bangsan High School in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where the September mock test for the 2024 College Scholastic Ability Test was held. Photo by Joint Press Corps
The number of male students was 258,692 (51.3%), down by 1,434 from last year, and female students were 245,896 (48.7%), down by 2,008.
By elective subject area, compared to last year, the number of test takers choosing 'Language and Media' in the Korean language section increased from 34.1% to 38.9%, and those choosing 'Calculus' in the mathematics section increased from 43.7% to 49.2%. Etoos Edu explained, "This appears to be due to the higher standard scores of 'Language and Media' and 'Calculus' in the 2023 CSAT results," adding, "Especially in mathematics, the number of students choosing 'Geometry' has further decreased, strengthening its character as a minor elective."
In the inquiry section, the number of students choosing social studies slightly decreased (51.9% → 50.2%), while those choosing science increased (48.1% → 49.8%).
The number of applicants for the second foreign language/Chinese characters section also increased by 4,379 (5.9%) compared to last year. Etoos Edu commented, "This is an effect of the cross-application phenomenon observed in the 2022 academic year," and added, "Since test centers are assigned according to the subjects taken, this can also be interpreted as a choice influenced by the atmosphere of the exam venue."
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