South Korea: March 29 Must-Know College Admission News

📌 Top Stories

Math Section on March Mock Exam: Students Say It Was "Extremely Hard"

Following the National Joint Scholastic Achievement Test held on March 24th, a survey on EBSi (as of 11:45 AM that day) showed that 40.9% of students felt the math section was "extremely hard," making it the most common response. This was followed by "very easy" (27.3%), "average" (18.2%), and "slightly hard." For high school seniors, this test is the first official gauge of where they stand nine months out from the Suneung, and these results will likely shape their future math study strategies.

1 sources

gukjenews.com

gukjenews.com

EBSi Releases Grade Cutoffs: A Roadmap for Your Studies

The grade cutoffs for the March 24th mock exam (for seniors preparing for the 2027 academic year) are now up on the EBSi website. According to CBC News, these cutoffs aren't just about numbers—they’re essential for gauging your current standing and planning your study roadmap. With about eight months left until the Suneung, this first national-level data is crucial for seniors.

1 sources

cbci.co.kr

cbci.co.kr

Big Shifts in 2027 Admissions: Qualitative Review Expanding

According to Edupress, the University of Seoul has begun incorporating qualitative evaluations into its student record-based admissions, rising from 10% in the 2026 academic year to 20% for the 2027 academic year. With most top-tier universities now requiring minimum Suneung scores for these types of admissions, experts suggest that balancing your GPA prep with Suneung requirements is now a must.

📋 Admission Schedule & Policy Trends

• Analyzing March Mock Exam Results: Data is being released by EBSi and other prep centers. Seniors should use this to identify weak spots and reorganize their study schedules immediately.

• 2028 Admissions: "40% Regular Admission" Rule Relaxed: As of February 2026, three universities have been selected to lower their regular admission quota to 30%, adding some flexibility. Check if your target universities are making changes.

• 2027 Suneung Teukgang Now Open: The EBSi courses for 2027 Suneung preparation have launched. These are especially helpful for Korean and English, so it’s a great time to start digging in.

📊 Admissions Trends

① Math Getting Tougher: The high percentage of students finding the math section "extremely hard" suggests this difficulty might stick around for the actual Suneung. Prepare for high-difficulty questions early.

② Qualitative Evaluation Rising: With more schools adding qualitative reviews to their grade-based tracks, your GPA isn't everything anymore. Focus on the quality of your class projects and activities.

③ The "Two-Track" Strategy: Since top schools require minimum Suneung scores for grade-based applications, you need to manage your GPA and Suneung prep simultaneously.

🎯 Action Items for Students

1. Analyze your mistakes: Don't just look at the grade; figure out why you got questions wrong and build your roadmap around those weak spots.
2. Practice tough math problems: Use the EBS Suneung Teukgang and previous exams to get used to high-difficulty questions.
3. Boost your activity records: Since qualitative evaluation is growing, be more active in class presentations and projects.
4. Stay updated on university plans: Admissions structures are evolving. Keep an eye on the official admission portals (Adiga) to stay ahead of any changes.

👀 Watch Out For

• Deep-Dive Analyses: Keep an eye out for detailed breakdowns of the March mock exam from EBSi and other institutions. Understanding the tricky math questions will be key for future test prep.