South Korea Debates Introducing Essay/Short-Answer Questions to College Entrance Exam

South Korea's National Education Commission (NEC) is embarking on a significant public deliberation process to decide the future format of its highly influential College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). A two-day forum, involving 203 citizens from diverse backgrounds, will convene to discuss the potential introduction of essay and short-answer questions into the national university entrance examination.

The forum, held at the YBM Training Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, brings together students, parents, educators, and the general public. Participants will engage in small group discussions after hearing from experts on the implications of essay-style assessments and the role of artificial intelligence in evaluation. The primary agenda revolves around potential reforms to the university admissions system, specifically focusing on the expansion of subjective assessments in internal school evaluations and the possibility of incorporating them into the CSAT.

Central to the debate are concerns about grading fairness. Unlike multiple-choice questions, essay and short-answer formats allow for subjective interpretation, raising questions about the consistency and objectivity of scoring, especially for an exam taken by hundreds of thousands of students. The NEC has proposed solutions such as standardized grading rubrics, preliminary scoring, and joint or cross-scoring by multiple evaluators, with AI also being considered as a supplementary tool.

Another major point of contention is the potential impact on private education. Critics worry that preparing for essay and short-answer questions could fuel demand for new forms of private tutoring focused on writing and essay composition, potentially exacerbating cost burdens and regional disparities. Conversely, proponents argue that aligning internal school assessments with the CSAT and strengthening writing education within schools could reduce reliance on existing private education models centered on repetitive problem-solving.

The practical implementation within schools also presents challenges. Educators express concerns about increased workload related to developing new question types, creating assessment criteria, and grading a larger volume of subjective responses. The NEC acknowledges the need for measures such as reducing teacher-to-student ratios, easing administrative burdens, providing specialized training for evaluators, and establishing systems to handle appeals and complaints.

This deliberative process is part of a broader effort by the NEC to gather public input for the '2028-2037 National Education Development Plan.' Public opinions gathered through these forums and online channels will be incorporated into a draft plan expected in late October, with the final version due in March next year. The NEC has already held similar forums in Incheon, Jeolla, and Daegu.