Key Discriminatory Subjects for Humanities: Mathematics and Inquiry
For Science: Korean and Inquiry
Up to 7-Point Difference in Standard Scores Between Mathematics and Korean Elective Subjects
Strategic Approach Needed as Advantage or Disadvantage Depends on Subject Choice Even with Same Score
With 100 days remaining until the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT·November 13), which is scheduled for August 5, experts suggest that students should focus on subjects with high discriminatory power during the remaining period. For humanities students, the core subjects with high discriminatory power are 'mathematics and inquiry,' while for science students, they are 'Korean and inquiry.'
On the 14th, the day of the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees are waiting for the exam to start at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps
This Year's CSAT Expected to Maintain High Discrimination in Question Setting
According to the admissions industry on August 4, this year's CSAT is expected to maintain the trend of highly discriminatory questions that has continued for several years. Since the introduction of the integrated CSAT in the 2022 academic year, the highest standard scores for Korean and mathematics have hovered in the 140s, maintaining a 'high-difficulty' trend.
The highest standard scores for Korean were 149 in 2022, 134 in 2023, 150 in 2024, and 139 in 2025. For mathematics during the same period, the scores were 147, 145, 148, and 140, respectively. Although English is graded on an absolute scale, the proportion of students achieving the top grade has remained between 4% and 7%, so it is also considered a subject with strong discriminatory power.
At this point, most high schools have finished covering the CSAT syllabus, so it is considered important to focus on in-depth study in August and September, and to concentrate on mock exams and reviewing mistakes in October and November. Lim Seongho, CEO of Jongro Academy, stated, "Especially this year, with a long Chuseok holiday, it is very important to establish and implement an individual study plan that can be carried out from now until just before the CSAT."
There is advice that a strategy is necessary for mathematics and Korean, as differences in standard scores occur between elective subjects.
According to the June mock exam, the highest standard score for 'Calculus,' which is mainly chosen by science students, was 143, while 'Probability and Statistics,' mainly chosen by humanities students, was 136, resulting in a 7-point difference. This means that, even with the same raw score, students who choose 'Probability and Statistics' are at a disadvantage in standard scoring.
In Korean, the highest standard score for 'Language and Media' was 137, while 'Speech and Composition' was 132, showing a 5-point difference.
On the morning of the 14th, when the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test was conducted, examinees were waiting for the exam to start at Yeouido Girls' High School in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps
'Satamrun' Phenomenon Expected to Continue... 'Inquiry' Subjects Are Key Variables for Both Humanities and Science Tracks
Recently, the phenomenon of science students choosing social inquiry subjects instead of science inquiry subjects, known as 'Satamrun,' has become prominent, and inquiry subjects are expected to become a major variable for both humanities and science tracks.
In the June mock exam, the number of students receiving grades 1 or 2 in the nine social inquiry subjects (Social and Culture, Ethics and Thought, Life and Ethics, World Geography, Korean Geography, Politics and Law, World History, East Asian History, Economics) increased by 27.6% (14,777 students) compared to the previous year, while the number in the eight science inquiry subjects (Earth Science I·II, Life Science I·II, Physics I·II, Chemistry I·II) decreased by 21.2% (9,200 students). As more top science universities are expected to recognize social inquiry subjects for the 2026 CSAT, the 'Satamrun' phenomenon may intensify. As a result, even students who previously ranked high in social inquiry subjects may experience greater score volatility in the actual CSAT.
According to the results of the 2025 regular admissions, both humanities and science tracks showed high discriminatory power in 'inquiry' subjects.
Analysis by Jongro Academy of 21 major universities in Seoul and 750 departments showed that for humanities, mathematics and inquiry had high discriminatory power, while for science, Korean and inquiry were key. Looking at the subject-specific passing scores for humanities applicants, the proportion of students with grade 3 or lower was low in English (28.3%) and Korean (30.0%), but exceeded half in mathematics (55.9%) and inquiry (55.5%). In contrast, for science applicants, the proportion of students with grade 3 or lower was low in mathematics (17.1%) and English (36.8%), but higher in Korean (45.2%) and inquiry (51.2%). Experts advise that humanities students should thoroughly review their strategies for mathematics and inquiry, while science students should do the same for Korean and inquiry subjects.
Kim Byungjin, director of the Etoos Educational Assessment Research Institute, stated, "To meet the minimum CSAT requirements for early admissions through 'science inquiry,' where the number of applicants is expected to decrease due to the Satamrun phenomenon, students should be especially cautious. At the same time, the increase in applicants for 'social inquiry' does not guarantee better results, so it is necessary to maintain a high level of focus in studying."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
