2026 College Entrance Exam One Month Away
Admissions Experts: "Stick to Core Concepts"
Training for Real-Test Readiness Also Crucial
The 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test is now just one month away. Experts advise that, with little time remaining, it is more important to solidify the concepts already learned rather than to focus on new material.
According to an analysis of outlooks from college entrance exam experts on October 14, this year's test is expected to be similar in difficulty to the mock evaluation conducted in September. This means that focusing on mastering concepts and minimizing mistakes in the remaining period can help improve test scores.
On the 3rd, at Geumcheon High School in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, where the mock test for the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test was conducted, 12th-grade students are preparing for the exam. Photo by Yoon Dongju
Kim Wonjoong, Director of Admissions Strategy at Daesung Academy, said, "It is advisable to focus on reviewing areas where you were lacking among the material you have studied so far and on maintaining a sense of readiness for the actual test." Han Byunghoon, the lead Korean language instructor at EBS, also commented, "Now is the time to check for any remaining gaps using the logic and structure of previous official test questions, rather than practicing new problems." He emphasized, "The key is to fully internalize the reading elements and answer choice construction methods for each literature and reading section, focusing on the mock evaluations from June and September."
As this is the time when students have typically finalized their target universities for both early and regular admissions, it is also important to develop a study strategy that takes actual acceptance thresholds into account. Nam Yoonkon, Director of the Admissions Strategy Research Center at Megastudy, said, "For early admissions, students should do their best until the end by concentrating on subjects where there is the greatest potential for score improvement, so they can meet the minimum academic requirements of their chosen universities." Regarding regular admissions, he added, "Since each university applies different weightings to each section of the test, students should focus on the sections with the highest weight for their target universities. Many mid-tier universities also assign significant bonus points to specific sections, so it is important to check in advance how the target university reflects the test scores."
To perform at one's best on test day, it is also crucial to train using mock exams that simulate the real test experience. Lee Manki, Director of the Educational Assessment Research Center at Uway, advised, "You should take full-length mock exams at least three times a week, following the actual test schedule, and focus on analyzing your mistakes. During this period, it is also beneficial to maintain a consistent daily routine. Adjust your study, meal, and sleep habits to match the actual test schedule."
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