Essay-style college entrance exams would end need for cram schools, says education chief

South Korea's National Education Commission is exploring a significant overhaul of its college entrance examination system, with Chairperson Cha Jeong-in advocating for the introduction of essay and subjective-type questions. Cha believes this shift would democratize test preparation, asserting that "students will be sufficiently prepared with extensive reading alone." He further stated, "There will be no need to go to cram schools to learn test-taking techniques."

The commission's special committee on college admissions is currently reviewing various reforms. These include implementing essay and subjective assessments in the national college entrance exam (Suneung), adopting a universal grading system across all subjects, and increasing the use of subjective questions in high school evaluations. A preliminary proposal is expected in October, followed by public consultations, with the final reform package slated for confirmation in March 2025.

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students will be sufficiently prepared with extensive reading alone. There will be no need to go to cram schools to learn test-taking techniques.

Concerns linger regarding the fairness, differentiation capabilities, and potential for increased private education spending associated with subjective exams. However, Cha expressed confidence in leveraging artificial intelligence for grading, citing the vastly different technological landscape compared to a decade ago. "We have received assurances from experts that it is possible to secure a system for grading nationwide exams like the Suneung," he explained. He also noted that regional education offices are already piloting AI grading systems with positive results.

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We have received assurances from experts that it is possible to secure a system for grading nationwide exams like the Suneung.