Navigating South Korea’s College Entrance Exam and High School Records

The South Korean college entrance exam, known as the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), remains a pivotal moment for high school seniors, graduates, and those retaking the exam. Alongside the CSAT, a student’s high school record – often referred to as a ‘life record’ – is increasingly key in the college admissions process. This article provides an overview of both, outlining key aspects for students and parents to understand.

The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)

As of November 2025, over 550,000 students are expected to take the CSAT, the largest number in seven years . The exam is a major factor in college admissions, and test-takers must attend a mandatory orientation to receive exam identification slips and confirm details. Students must present valid identification – a resident registration card, driver’s license, or passport with their resident registration number – and are prohibited from bringing electronic devices like smartphones and tablet PCs to the testing site .

Understanding the High School ‘Life Record’

The ‘life record’ is a comprehensive portfolio of a student’s three years of high school, encompassing academic and personal growth. It consists of nine items, including personal and academic information, attendance, awards, school violence records, extracurricular activities, curricular learning development, reading activity, and behavioral characteristics . Starting with the 2028 entrance exam, this record will be used in both comprehensive student record screening and regular college entrance exam screening at many universities.

Key Components of the Life Record

• Attendance: Universities prioritize consistent attendance, with ‘unacknowledged’ absences being a key evaluation factor.
• School Violence: Records of school violence are taken exceptionally seriously and can significantly disadvantage applicants.
• Creative Experiential Activities: This includes autonomous activities, club involvement, and career/volunteer work.
• Curricular Learning Development: This is the most heavily weighted component, focusing on subject grades, abilities, and specialties.

What Universities Evaluate

While the life record includes items like awards and reading lists, these are not directly provided to universities. The focus is on educational activities conducted at school, with extramural achievements generally not recorded unless officially sanctioned by educational authorities. The curriculum and learning development status, including grades and detailed abilities, receive the most intensive evaluation .

Trends in College Entrance

The number of students retaking the exam has recently decreased, attributed to changes in medical school admissions. In 2025, the number of graduates retaking the exam dropped 1.2 percent to 159,922, representing 28.9 percent of test-takers . This decline follows a surge in applicants the previous year due to an expansion of medical school seats.

Preparing for Success

To build a competitive life record, students should strategically participate in school activities and connect their curriculum, clubs, and school programs organically. Careful management of the life record, starting from the first year of high school, is crucial for maximizing college admission prospects.