CSAT Score Difference Has Widened Between Seoul and Provincial University Freshmen

A study has found that the score differences on the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) between Seoul and provincial university freshmen are widening every year.

Professor Kim Anna of Ewha Woman’s University submitted a research paper titled, “The Hierarchical Structure of Secondary Education Seen Through CSAT Score Distribution Change Trend” in a recent issue of “Educational Policy Forum” published by the Korean Education Development Institute (KEDI).

According to the study, the universities in Seoul showed the mean of their freshmen’s CSAT scores as 84.9 out of 100 in 1994, 81.2 in 1998, and 83.5 in 2001. The data was taken from 150 universities and colleges nationwide except those without CSAT score records and other related records among 181 four-year universities and colleges throughout the country.

However, over the same period, universities in Gyeonggi Province said its averages was 77, 74.2, and 73.9; 79.1, 74, and 70 in Gyeongnam; 76.1, 65.9, and 56.4 in Gangwon; 68.6, 56.2, and 46.9 in Jeonbuk; and 75.5, 61.8, and 60.2 in Chungbuk, which clearly shows scores are declining in these provinces.

In addition, ever since the implementation of the “University Foundation Normative System” in 1996, which gave foundation rights to colleges and universities meeting only essential criteria, the CSAT score mean of universities founded after 1996 showed a very low record of 63.4 in 1998 and 53.4 in 2001 compared with the ones founded before 1996 which scored an average of 71.8 in 1998 and 69.7 in 2001.

Professor Kim commented, “Universities should boldly lead specialized education programs so that the elite do not apply to schools based only on schools’ existing fame. The government should extend further administrative and financial support in order to accelerate this structural reform of universities.”

Hyo-Lim Son aryssong@donga.com