520,000 'Discount Coupons'... How to Use Your Exam Admission Ticket [Chosun Price Records]

(41) Discount Benefits on Air Tickets and Theme Parks
Using Someone Else's Exam Admission Ticket Is Illegal

With the conclusion of the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), attention is turning to the privilege of 'exam admission ticket discounts' for test takers. The exam admission ticket discount is considered an 'all-purpose discount coupon,' and companies offer various discount events targeting test takers. By making good use of the exam admission ticket, one can enjoy benefits greater than the CSAT registration fee.

Jeju Air offers a 20% discount on domestic flight tickets for test takers and their families. T'way Air provides discounts of up to 25% on domestic flights and up to 10% on international flights. Flight bookings are available only through the Jeju Air website, mobile app, and web until December 31.

On the morning of the 12th, two days before the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test, third-year students at Suwon High School in Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, are leaving the school grounds while receiving support from their juniors. Photo by Yonhap News

Everland allows any test taker to use the park for 21,000 KRW until the end of December. Everland ticket prices vary by season, with youth rates for seasons A to D ranging from 46,000 KRW to 62,000 KRW. Test takers can purchase tickets at up to a 70% discount. Additionally, a discount benefit is offered where up to three accompanying persons can enter for 30,000 KRW per person.

Lotte World offers up to a 57% discount on admission tickets for test takers at five nationwide locations (Adventure, Aquarium, Seoul Sky, Adventure Busan, Lotte Water Park) until the 30th of this month. The Adventure all-day pass is 26,000 KRW, Aquarium admission is 17,500 KRW, Seoul Sky is 15,500 KRW, and the all-day passes for Adventure Busan and Gimhae Lotte Water Park (weekend operation) are 20,000 KRW.

Movie theater discounts are also significant. Megabox has prepared a 'CSAT Liberation Week.' Youth and test takers can watch movies for 7,000 KRW. The first 5,000 people who book movies with the '7,000 KRW Movie Viewing Coupon' will receive a free coupon for one Original Popcorn(R).

Local small business owners such as gyms, hair salons, restaurants, cafes, clothing stores, opticians, and department stores often hold their own discount events. However, even test takers without an exam admission ticket are excluded from discount benefits, so it is important not to discard the ticket and to keep it safe.

Since the exam admission ticket is used like an all-purpose coupon, some people buy and sell them. Every year, right after the CSAT ends, it is not difficult to find posts about exam admission ticket transactions on online communities or secondhand trading apps. However, since the exam admission ticket contains sensitive information such as name, test number, and resident registration number, there is a risk of personal information leakage for test takers who sell their tickets.

Using someone else's exam admission ticket violates the Resident Registration Act and official document laws. The exam admission ticket contains the name, resident registration number, and photo, serving as an official document like an ID card. Using it can lead to criminal penalties for violating the Resident Registration Act. Altering the photo or name on the ticket constitutes forgery of official documents. While buying and selling may occur, using a sold exam admission ticket can result in legal punishment.

Maximum CSAT Registration Fee of 47,000 KRW This Year

For the 2025 academic year CSAT, 522,670 candidates, including high school seniors and graduates, applied. The CSAT registration fee has been frozen for 18 years since 2007, costing 37,000 KRW for up to 4 test areas, 42,000 KRW for 5 areas, and 47,000 KRW for 6 areas.

The registration fee for the first CSAT in 1994 was 12,000 KRW. It was increased by 25% to 15,000 KRW in 2000, then rose to 20,000 KRW in 2001 and 22,000 KRW in 2003, representing increases of 33.3% and 10%, respectively.

Since 2005, the registration fee has been differentiated by test areas: 31,000 KRW for up to 3 areas, 36,000 KRW for 4 areas, and 41,000 KRW for 5 areas. In 2006, the fees were 37,000 KRW for up to 3 areas, 42,000 KRW for 4 areas, and 47,000 KRW for 5 areas.

From 2000 to 2007, the registration fee increased almost every year, sometimes more than tripling, which drew criticism. As a result, the fee has been frozen since then.

Meanwhile, starting from last year's year-end tax settlement, university entrance application fees and CSAT registration fees became eligible for tax credits. If you have a child who took the CSAT this year, you can receive a 15% tax credit on these expenses.