Daily College Admissions Update — March 26, 2026

📌 Top Headlines

1.22 Million Students Take the March Mock Exam

• What happened?: The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education administered the first national mock exam of the year on March 24. Students from 1st through 3rd year of high school participated, following a schedule identical to the November 19 Suneung (excluding foreign language/Hanja).
• Why it matters: This is the perfect chance for students to gauge where they stand and refine their study strategies. For seniors, this first official mock test is crucial for identifying weak spots to address before the real deal.

Rise in "Bansu" Students Targeting Med Schools

• What happened?: Many students are starting their path to retake the Suneung earlier than usual. Driven by the increase in medical school admissions, top-tier university students are already looking to switch paths, leading private academies like Itoll to open their "bansu" (half-study) programs ahead of schedule.
• Why it matters: The race for medical school seats is heating up the competition among high achievers. If you're a current college student considering a switch, now is the time to start comparing programs and checking enrollment dates.

1 sources

dhnews.co.kr

dhnews.co.kr

📋 Policy & Regulatory Updates

No recent data available for this section.

There have been no new policy announcements in the last 24 hours from the Ministry of Education (moe.go.kr) or the university admission portal (adiga.kr). The 2028 college admission reform (integrated Suneung and 5-tier grading system) remains unchanged as previously announced.

3 sources

moe.go.kr

교육부 > 교육부 소식 > 보도·설명·반박 > 보도자료

adiga.kr

대입정보포털

moe.go.kr

교육부 > 정책 > 대학(원)교육

📊 Strategy & Analysis

• Analyzing the Mock Exam: Since the March exam mirrors the actual Suneung, experts suggest using this experience to pressure-test your timing and strategy. Focus on identifying specific gaps in your Korean, Math, and English sections, and use the results to reconsider your elective subject choices.

• The Early "Bansu" Trend: With medical school capacity expanding, students at top engineering schools are already planning their exit strategies. If you're considering a retake, use your March exam scores to set realistic goals and decide whether you can balance your current university coursework with a study plan for the Suneung.

🏫 Campus News

• Ansan Student Loan Interest Support: Anseong City is launching its 2026 interest support program for student loans for university and graduate students. If you were a resident of Anseong as of March 24, 2026, you may be eligible for this financial aid.

• Seoul National University Scholarship Deadlines: SNU has posted new applications for the "Humanities 100 Years" scholarship and the SME employment-linked scholarship (Hope Ladder I). Students in the College of Humanities are encouraged to check their eligibility.

🔮 Upcoming Schedule

• March Mock Exam Results: Results will be released to schools soon. Once you get your report, pay close attention to your standard scores and percentiles to adjust your academic trajectory.

• Preparing for 2027 Admissions: Admissions season is approaching. Remember that schools are now required to account for school violence records in student files, Suneung, essays, and performance-based screenings. Keep a close eye on your student records.

• Long-term Prep for 2028: With the 2028 admission reforms (integrated Suneung/5-tier grading) coming up, middle school 3rd years and high school 1st years should start mapping out their long-term study plans now.