The National Education Commission (NEC) has begun a public deliberation on overhauling the future college admissions system, including introducing short-answer and essay-type questions to the College Scholastic Ability Test. In the discussion, participants agreed on the need to supplement the limits of the current test, which selects correct answers, while voicing concerns over scoring fairness, the expansion of private tutoring, and increased student burdens.
The National Education Commission (NEC) Citizens' Participation Committee on Aug. 29 held a one-night, two-day deliberative forum at the YBM Training Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, under the theme of directions for reforming the college admissions system to prepare for future society.
A total of 203 citizen participants attended the forum, including students and young adults, parents, education officials, and the general public from across the country. After studying a pre-distributed briefing book, participants split into small groups and over two days discussed the direction and key issues of the future admissions system.
NEC Chair Cha Jeong-in said in opening remarks, "Changing the college admissions system is not merely about altering the format of an exam, but about reshaping the constitution of our education overall through changes in elementary, middle, and high school education and in students' learning."
Addressing concerns that the NEC's public debate on admissions reform is proceeding with a predetermined conclusion, the chair said, "What is being discussed is not a finalized policy but is at a stage of careful review," adding, "This deliberative forum is not a procedure to justify a particular plan."
The first session discussed evaluations of the current admissions system and the direction the future system should pursue. Participants generally agreed that the current admissions regime leans toward piecemeal evaluations that pick correct answers and toward competition-based ranking. Some also said the system needs to shift toward assessing students' learning processes and individual competencies.
The second session focused on whether a transition to a short-answer and essay-type evaluation system is necessary. Participants concentrated on questions such as how to ensure fairness and reliability in scoring if such evaluations are introduced, and how to address teachers' scoring burdens and issues of expertise. Concerns were also raised that a new private education market—such as high-priced essay tutoring, line-by-line feedback, or so-called "sure-shot special lectures"—could grow.
Opinions were also divided on whether short-answer and essay-type evaluations can solve the problems of the current admissions system. In one group, some argued that because the current multiple-choice CSAT has hit functional limits, a gradual, step-by-step transition to short-answer and essay-type evaluations should be discussed. However, they added that a concrete roadmap is needed before any actual transition, including which grades to start with and which subjects to apply it to.
There were also objections that short-answer and essay-type evaluations could, on the contrary, increase students' burdens. While they allow for partial or intermediate credit and thus more finely assess a student's abilities, introducing such evaluations does not mean college admissions pressure will immediately decline.
Before this deliberative forum, the NEC held in-person discussions under the theme "Directions for the college admissions system to prepare for future society" in Incheon on the 11th, in South Jeolla and Gwangju on the 20th, and in Daegu on the 26th, with participation from students, parents, teachers, and the general public. Since the 14th, the National Education Commission public opinion platform has also been accepting online feedback.
Opinions gathered online and offline and the results of this Citizens' Participation Committee deliberation will be reflected in the establishment of the 2028–2037 National Education Development Plan. The NEC plans to release a draft of the National Education Development Plan in late Oct. and finalize it in late Mar. next year.