The Ministry of Education announced on the 18th that it will begin accepting applications for the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test starting from the 21st.
Next year's College Scholastic Ability Test application will be conducted at 85 examination districts across the country, through educational support offices and individual high schools.
Applications can be submitted both online and in person. The government has introduced an online pre-application system for the College Scholastic Ability Test for the first time this year. Consequently, examinees can enter their application information directly on the online pre-application homepage. After that, they must visit an in-person application center to go through the identity verification process and obtain a receipt. Previously, information had to be entered at in-person application centers.
However, since the application periods for the College Scholastic Ability Test differ between in-person submissions and online pre-application, it is important to be aware of each respective application period. The online pre-application period is from 9 a.m. on the 20th until 6 p.m. on September 4th. Submissions can be made 24 hours a day, including weekends. The in-person application period is from August 21st to September 5th. During this period, applications cannot be submitted on weekends, and must be made daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
After the in-person application deadline, additional applications or modifications to the application are not possible, so examinees should carefully verify all details within the application period.
Examinees who find it difficult to use the online pre-application system or do not wish to use it may still visit the in-person application centers as before. At that time, they must bring identification for verification and two passport-sized photos. Those wishing for testing accommodations that require submission of supporting documents, as well as foreigners, are not eligible for online pre-application, and should bring the necessary documents to the in-person application center.
Examinees must apply for the College Scholastic Ability Test in person, and proxy applications are generally not permitted. However, in cases where individuals are hospitalized long-term, serving in the military, imprisoned, residing overseas as of the application date (excluding those on overseas trips), or others recognized by the local education superintendent as unavoidable, proxy applications by direct family members or spouses are permitted.
Students expected to graduate who are currently enrolled in high school will have their applications submitted collectively by their school. High school graduates will apply through their former high school.
However, among high school graduates, if the school district of their registered address differs from that of their former high school, they may also apply through the educational support office of the school district corresponding to their registered address. The same applies if the registered address and the location of the former high school belong to different administrative districts within the same examination district (at the city or county level).
Those who have passed the high school equivalency exam or have other recognized qualifications can apply at the educational support office corresponding to their registered residence. Individuals who are hospitalized long-term, serving in the military, imprisoned, or have other recognized special circumstances can apply at the educational support office corresponding to their former high school, registered address, or actual residence.
Examinees who graduated from high schools located in Jeju Island and those registered as residents in Jeju Island who are preparing for the exam outside Jeju may submit their applications at a separate application center established at the Seoul Seongdong-Gwangjin Educational Support Office on September 4th and 5th.
The application fee for the College Scholastic Ability Test ranges from 37,000 won to 47,000 won depending on the number of subject areas chosen. It is 37,000 won for four or fewer subjects, 42,000 won for five subjects, and 47,000 won for six.
If applicants fall into one of the categories of national basic livelihood recipients, legally disadvantaged groups, or single-parent family support beneficiaries as of the application date, they can apply for a fee waiver by attaching relevant supporting materials.
Examinees using the online pre-application system can pay their application fee via a virtual account through the system. Payment can also be made through methods designated by the local education office, including virtual accounts, school banking, or cash. For graduates applying through their former schools, payment may be made via bank transfer or cash through methods specified by the local education office, while those applying at the examination district educational support office can pay their application fees by credit card or virtual account.
Partial refunds of the application fee will be given to examinees who could not take the College Scholastic Ability Test due to reasons such as natural disasters, illness, final admission through regular admissions, military enlistment, or loss of eligibility.
The refund application period is from November 17th to 21st. Applicants should prepare the application form, identification, medical certificate, and other required documents to request at the application center.