ROK 입시 News: 2026-05-28 Update
The Ministry of Education released a policy briefing on May 26, 2026, highlighting shifts in exam difficulty due to the new 5-level grading system. Plus, a major change is coming for the 2028 academic year: a unified math curriculum for the first time in 33 years.
ROK 입시 News: 2026-05-28 Update
Key Education Policy & Entrance Exam Changes
1. 5-Level Grading Intro and Easier Midterms/Finals
With the new 5-level grading system rolling out in 2026, the difficulty of midterm and final exams has been adjusted downward. According to reports from Hankyung, average scores in major subjects rose by 3.5 points, likely because schools don't need to differentiate students as strictly.
2. Unified Math Curriculum for 2028 Admissions
Starting with the 2028 academic year, the college entrance exam (Suneung) will feature a single, unified math test for all students, marking the end of the arts/science split after 33 years. This simplifies the curriculum and effectively eliminates the old separation between calculus and geometry.
3. 2026 Results for High School-University Cooperation Program
The Ministry of Education announced the annual evaluation results for the "High School-University Contribution Support Project," aimed at strengthening ties between secondary and higher education.
Admissions Strategy & Analysis
1. 2026 Regular Recruitment Strategy
For the 2026 academic year, 4-year universities plan to recruit 69,331 students. While this follows the Korean Council for University Education's 2026 University Entrance Application Plan, the actual number will likely rise as vacancies from the early decision round are transferred to the regular round after December 24. Experts suggest that students build a mix of ambitious, stable, and safe application strategies while carefully checking how each university weighs test scores.
2. Shifts in Korean and English Difficulty
In the 2026 Suneung, the top standard score for Korean reached 147—up 8 points from the previous year—meaning the gap between top standard scores in Korean and Math is the widest since the 2023 academic year. Analysts warn that these changes in difficulty will be a major variable in regular admission strategies.
3. Intense Competition at the Top
Because the number of regular admission spots has decreased for 2026, competition among top-tier students is heating up, and we're seeing signs that admission cutoffs for popular science majors could rise.
High School Entrance & Learning Info
School Violence Records Now Mandatory
Starting in 2026, disciplinary actions for school violence must be formally reflected in all admissions processes, including student records (subject/comprehensive), Suneung, essays, and performance-based tracks. Universities are now required to specify how they handle these records in their admissions plans.
Upcoming Schedule & Summary
Major upcoming dates include ongoing announcements for the 2026 and 2027 university entrance plans. You can find more info on the 2027 regional doctor recruitment track and the 2028 entrance plans at the University Admissions Center (ADIGA).
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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