From the year that current first-year high school students take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), the schedule for the second half mock evaluation will be moved up from September to August. Students usually deduce their university applications based on the scores from the last mock evaluation before the CSAT. Until now, the mock evaluation was held in September, and applications for rolling admissions closed before the scores were announced, but in the future, students will be able to develop their application strategies based on the results.
The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) confirmed and announced the 'Basic Guidelines for University Admissions for the 2028 Academic Year' containing this information on the 28th. The KCUE is required by law to establish the basic guidelines for university admissions every year and must publish them by two years and six months prior to the admission year.
Starting from the 2028 academic year, the second half mock evaluation will be moved up to the end of August, and the rolling admission application period will be postponed to September 20, after the mock evaluation scores are released. Until now, the rolling admission application closed before the September mock evaluation scores were announced. For instance, this year's September mock evaluation will take place on the 3rd of next month, and the results will be available two weeks later on September 17, while the rolling admission applications for 2026 will take place from September 8 to 12. This made it difficult to utilize the scores from the last mock evaluation taken before the CSAT for rolling admission strategies.
Graduates from specialized high schools are also expected to have a wider range of university majors available for application. Previously, it was often required for the names of specialized high school departments to match the departmental recruitment units of universities in order to apply. Now, instead of the specialized high school 'department name,' the 'curriculum (group)' completed at the high school will be used as the criterion for judgment. If the specialized high school has completed more than 24 credits in specialized subjects (groups) that match the university's recruitment unit curriculum (group), they will be recognized as the same field.
Additionally, the KCUE plans to standardize the 'Eligibility Confirmation Form' submitted when applying for special admission for rural and fishing students to ease the administrative burden on universities and high schools, as well as the preparation burden on applicants. The previously undefined 'graduation date' criterion for special admission eligibility for rural students, regional talent, and specialized high school graduates will also be standardized to the date recorded in the school life record.
Meanwhile, the schedule for university admissions in the 2028 academic year is as follows: ▲ Rolling admission application from September 20 to 23, 2027 ▲ Rolling admission selection from September 24 to December 20 ▲ Regular admission application from January 3 to 6, 2028 ▲ Regular admission selection from January 10 to February 7, conducted in order for each group A, B, and C for eight days each. The additional recruitment period is from February 22 to 29.