Today's College Admissions News — 2026-05-24

Today's Headlines

May Mock Exam Shows Only 22% of 12th Graders Choose Science Exploration—6-Year Low

• What happened?: The May 2026 National Scholastic Achievement Test showed science exploration exam participation among 12th graders at approximately 22%, marking the lowest level in six years since the unified entrance system launched. As universities increasingly allow social studies and probability/statistics for natural science majors, enrollment in calculus and geometry also fell in tandem.
• Who's affected?: 12th graders preparing for engineering fields, all natural science applicants, and parents planning future admissions strategies.
• Why it matters?: The trend runs counter to national policy emphasizing semiconductor and AI talent development, causing concern in education circles. Critics argue that universities' relaxed natural science course requirements could deepen engineering field avoidance in the long term.

1 sources

sedaily.com

“반도체·AI 키운다더니”…과탐 응시율 22%, 통합수능 후 최저 | 서울경제

'Sogang-Sungkyunkwan-Hanyang' 2028 Admissions Overhaul—Boosting Korean and Math in Regular Admissions, Expanding Qualitative Evaluation in Early Admissions

• What happened?: Top universities including Sogang, Sungkyunkwan, and Hanyang (colloquially "Sogang-Sungkyunkwan-Hanyang") are reportedly developing 2028 admission plans that increase Korean and math weighting in regular admissions while expanding qualitative evaluation (comprehensive evaluation) in early admissions. This reflects a trend of strengthening emphasis on specific college entrance exam sections within the unified test system.
• Who's affected?: Current 10th and 11th graders preparing for 2028 admissions and their parents, as well as students hoping to attend these universities.
• Why it matters?: Expanded Korean and math weighting affects both humanities and natural science tracks. Increased qualitative evaluation raises the importance of extracurricular activities and interview preparation. Leading university admission strategies can ripple through high school curriculum operations.

Key Trends by Admission Type

Early Admissions

Swapping Science for Social Studies—Changes in Natural Science Admissions
As universities increasingly accept social studies and probability/statistics for natural science majors, early admission strategies are shifting. Natural science students can now apply with more strategically advantageous subject combinations, making comprehensive evaluation admissions strategy planning increasingly complex. Admissions experts recommend carefully reviewing each university's minimum college entrance exam score requirements and subject reflection policies.

Sogang-Sungkyunkwan-Hanyang Expanding Qualitative Evaluation in Early Admissions
Sogang, Sungkyunkwan, and Hanyang are reviewing admission designs that strengthen qualitative evaluation elements in 2028 early admissions. The intent is to move beyond grades alone and comprehensively assess student capabilities and potential.

Regular Admissions

Sogang-Sungkyunkwan-Hanyang Signaling Stronger Korean and Math Weighting
For 2028 regular admissions, Sogang, Sungkyunkwan, and Hanyang are expected to increase Korean and math weighting. Intensified focus on specific college entrance exam sections will directly impact current 10th and 11th graders' test preparation approaches.

College Entrance Exam and Mock Tests

May 2026 Mock Exam Shows Science Exploration Participation Plummets to 22%
May National Scholastic Achievement Test results show science exploration participation at 22%, marking the lowest since the unified entrance system's introduction. Meanwhile, social studies and math probability/statistics takers increased comparatively. Experts predict this trend will influence subject composition in June mock exams and November college entrance exams.

Policy and System Changes

2028 Admissions Overhaul Discussion Accelerating
Regarding 2028 college admissions system overhaul, major universities are solidifying admission strategy directions. Top universities including Sogang, Sungkyunkwan, and Hanyang are reviewing approaches to expand specific section weighting in regular admissions and strengthen qualitative evaluation in early admissions. This aligns with the Education Ministry and Korean Council for University Education's principles of simplifying admissions and ensuring fairness.

Declining Science Exploration Participation Clashes with Government Engineering Talent Policy
Science exploration participation hitting a 6-year low has exposed a gap between government semiconductor and AI engineering talent development policy and actual admissions practice. Universities' relaxed natural science admission requirements are attracting criticism for potentially fueling engineering field avoidance, with calls for policy adjustments growing louder.

Major University Updates

Sogang University is reviewing increased Korean and math weighting in 2028 regular admissions and simultaneously discussing strengthened qualitative evaluation in early admissions.

Sungkyunkwan University is examining 2028 admission overhaul options including college entrance exam weighting adjustments for regular admissions and expanded comprehensive evaluation early admissions. Changes to academic record-based early admissions grade reflection methods have also been discussed continuously.

Hanyang University is signaling strengthened Korean and math subject weighting in 2028 regular admissions and plans to expand qualitative evaluation in early admissions to recruit students with diverse capabilities.

Analysis and Outlook

① Will Narrowing Natural Science Subject Selection Lead to Engineering Crisis?
The 22% science exploration rate in the May mock exam carries meaning beyond mere statistics. By allowing social studies and probability/statistics in natural science admissions, universities have broadened student choice in the short term, but risk deepening engineering field avoidance and weakening foundational competency long-term. The misalignment with national semiconductor and AI talent strategy has prompted calls for policy coordination between the Education Ministry and universities.

② 2028 Admissions: Dual Track of Strengthened Regular Admissions and Expanded Qualitative Evaluation
Based on Sogang, Sungkyunkwan, and Hanyang's direction, a clear dual-track strategy is emerging for 2028: "strengthened college entrance exam Korean and math in regular admissions" coupled with "expanded qualitative evaluation in early admissions." Current 10th and 11th graders must simultaneously build solid college entrance exam Korean and math foundations while balancing academic record management and extracurricular investment.

③ Potential Connection Between May Mock Exam Results and June Mock Exam
The declining science exploration trend shown in May's mock exam is likely to appear similarly in June's mock exam. Natural science-bound test takers should reassess strategy while noting that competition dynamics may shift across science exploration subject options.

Must-Track Schedule This Week

Test Takers and Parents Checklist

1. Reconsider Science Exploration Selection: Science exploration participation dropped sharply in the May mock exam. If natural science is your target, double-check your target universities' college entrance exam subject requirements and carefully analyze whether strategically reducing science exploration weighting is advantageous.

2. Early Recognition of 2028 Admissions Changes: Current 10th and 11th graders must identify 2028 admission directions (strengthened regular admissions Korean/math, expanded qualitative evaluation) in advance and adjust study plans accordingly. Especially bookmark Sogang, Sungkyunkwan, and Hanyang admissions office notices to avoid missing updates.

3. June Mock Exam Preparation: June's Korean Curriculum and Evaluation Institute mock exam is imminent. Thoroughly analyze May mock exam results and errors, intensively supplementing weak areas as top priority. Particularly prepare for potential difficulty shifts across science exploration subject options.

4. Regular University-Specific Admission Guide Checks: Through early admissions application deadlines for 2027, monitor major university admissions office websites at least monthly, tracking admission changes (minimum test scores, subject reflection, interview format, etc.).

Issues to Monitor

① Education Ministry Policy Response to Declining Science Exploration Participation
If engineering field avoidance contradicting talent development policy persists, watch whether the Education Ministry intervenes by strengthening science exploration requirements in natural science admissions. Future position statements from the Korean Council for University Education and the Curriculum and Evaluation Institute will be key.

② Official Release of Sogang-Sungkyunkwan-Hanyang 2028 Admission Details
When outlets like Herald Business report the Sogang-Sungkyunkwan-Hanyang 2028 direction becomes official in admission guides, test taker preparation could shift significantly. Monitor follow-up reporting confirming each university's official announcement timing and specifics.

③ June Mock Exam Subject Composition Status and Difficulty Analysis
Whether the science and natural science subject avoidance evident in May's mock exam continues in June's exam, and how the testing agency responds, will be a critical variable for 2026 college entrance exam strategy development.