Daily College Admission News — June 6, 2026

Today's Headline

2027 Mock Exam held nationwide: perceived as "moderate"

• What happened?: The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) conducted the June mock exam on the 4th at high schools and designated academies nationwide to gauge trends for the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). The exam covered all subjects for high school seniors and Korean, Math, and English for juniors and sophomores. In North Gyeongsang Province, 17,061 students participated across 135 schools and 7 academies.
• Who is affected?: All current high school juniors and sophomores, especially those planning to take the 2027 CSAT.
• Why it matters?: The June mock exam is the first official indicator of CSAT trends and difficulty, serving as a baseline for students to adjust their early and regular admission strategies. The "moderate" difficulty rating suggests low volatility in future testing.

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2026 admission guidelines set; fewer required CSAT subjects

• What happened?: The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) finalized the 2026 university admission guidelines. Four universities—Korea University, University of Incheon, Hongik University, and Sookmyung Women's University—are scrapping restrictions on inquiry subjects starting in 2026, marking a broader shift toward removing specific CSAT subject requirements.
• Who is affected?: 2026 admission applicants, especially those considering switching between STEM and humanities tracks.
• Why it matters?: While removing subject requirements increases student choice, it requires more strategic preparation. Criteria vary by university, so carefully review individual admission plans.

Korea University eliminates mandatory CSAT subjects starting 2026

• What happened?: Starting with the 2026 academic year, Korea University is completely abolishing subject requirements for both early and regular admission tracks, ending the mandate that had been in place through 2025.
• Who is affected?: Students planning to apply to Korea University, as well as current juniors and sophomores.
• Why it matters?: As a major university, Korea University’s decision reflects the broader market, signaling that other institutions may follow suit. Students can now leverage their strongest subjects without restriction.

Kicking off 2026 early admission prep after June mock exam

• What happened?: Following the mock exam, students should now build their early admission strategies based on their grades and school records. Once first-semester grades are released, students should verify their school record scores and analyze their personal activity logs for comprehensive screening.
• Who is affected?: Current high school seniors, particularly those planning to apply via early admission.
• Why it matters?: With early admissions (Sept 12–Dec 17) approaching, systematic preparation is crucial. Use portals like Daehak-eodiga or Jinhaks-a to input your grades and get an objective evaluation.

Key Trends by Admission Track

Early Admission

2026 Early Admission focuses on school records

• The basic trend for 2026 early admission remains centered on school-record-based screening. Specifically, school-record-based evaluations account for 56.4% of total early admission spots, highlighting the ongoing importance of high school transcripts.

Regular Admission

2026 Regular Admission maintains CSAT-heavy focus at 19.8% of capacity

• Regular admission will continue to prioritize the CSAT, filling 69,272 spots (19.8% of total recruitment). As the trend of removing required subjects continues, students can expect a wider range of choices.

CSAT & Mock Exams

Analyzing trends after the June mock exam for October preparation

• The June 4th mock exam helps students find their current standing and establish learning strategies for the October exam. Since the difficulty was "moderate," maintaining a steady study pace is key. Don't forget to account for the September mock exam in your preparation.

Policy & Institutional Changes

2026 admission guidelines officially released

• The Korean Council for University Education finalized the 2026 guidelines, focusing on normalizing school education and reducing private tutoring costs by expanding the removal of CSAT subject requirements and easing minimum academic standards.

2026 CSAT schedule set for November 13, 2025 (one day earlier)

• The 2026 CSAT will be held on November 13, 2025—one day earlier than the previous year's November 14th date. Score reporting will be adjusted accordingly.

Major University News

Seoul-based universities plan to ease CSAT minimum requirements

• Major universities in Seoul are moving to relax minimum CSAT standards for 2026. Korea University’s early admission minimums are being eased, further emphasizing the importance of school record-based screenings.

Teacher Training University admissions scale down

• Recruitment for 2026 at universities of education is shrinking across both early and regular tracks. Students should carefully compare the characteristics of each screening process and check for interview requirements and minimum CSAT thresholds.

Key Dates This Week

• June 4 (Completed): 2027 CSAT June Mock Exam — Used for objective self-evaluation and strategy setting.
• Mid-June onwards: Verify school record scores after 1st-semester grades; analyze logs for comprehensive screening.
• September 7–11: 2026 College Admission application period (choose at least 3 days).
• September 12 – December 17: Early admission period.
• December 18: Early admission results announcement (tentative).

Student/Parent Checklist

1. Analyze June Mock Exam Results: Objectively analyze your scores and set a study plan for weak subjects.
2. Check School Records: Input your grades into platforms like Daehak-eodiga or Jinhaks-a to calculate your record score.
3. Plan Comprehensive Screening: If applying to comprehensive screening, get a copy of your school record to analyze years 1–2 and wrap up semester 3-1 activities.
4. Draft Early/Regular Strategies: Based on mock scores and school records, decide on 4 early admission targets and a roadmap for the regular CSAT.
5. Re-check Admission Plans: Verify final 2026 changes, such as Korea University’s removal of subject requirements.

Issues to Watch

• September Mock Exam: A final practice test held one month before the October exam, serving as the benchmark for final learning strategies.
• 2028 Admission Reform: The Ministry of Education and the KCUE are expected to provide follow-up announcements regarding changes affecting current 9th graders and below.
• Medical School Expansion & Major-less Admissions: A massive variable for the post-2025 market; monitor for potential policy adjustments.