English 'Absolute Grading' Policy Fails to Curb Private Tutoring Costs in South Korea

Despite the introduction of a "pass/fail" grading system for English in South Korea's college entrance exams eight years ago, a recent study reveals the policy has failed to achieve its objective of reducing the burden of private education. Researchers found that the move to absolute grading has, in fact, led to a significant increase in both spending and participation in private English tutoring.

The study, published in the journal "Educational Sociology Review," analyzed extensive data on private education expenses from 2007 to 2024, covering over 3 million elementary, middle, and high school students. Researchers from Soongsil University adjusted for inflation by calculating real private education costs using the Consumer Price Index and employed time-series analysis methods.

Their findings indicate a counterintuitive outcome: while there was a temporary dip in English private education spending immediately after the policy's announcement in 2015, the actual implementation in the 2018 academic year saw a surge. This trend was particularly pronounced among students aiming for top university placements, suggesting that the absolute grading system has intensified reliance on private education for high achievers rather than easing the overall financial pressure as intended.