June mock exam: English Grade 1 rate at 4.13%, harder than Korean and Math

The June mock college entrance exam for the 2027 academic year revealed a significant challenge for students in English, with only 4.13% achieving the top grade. The Korea Institute for Curriculum Evaluation announced that 16,979 students earned a Grade 1 in English, a figure that suggests the subject was considerably more difficult than Korean language and mathematics.

This year's June mock exam, administered on June 4th, saw a total of 411,302 students participate. Among the test-takers, 328,242 were current high school students, while the remaining 83,000 included graduates and those who passed the GED (General Educational Development) test.

The low pass rate for English underscores a potential shift in difficulty or student preparation for the subject, prompting closer examination of the exam's structure and content compared to other core subjects. The results serve as a critical indicator for students and educators as they prepare for future assessments.