Thousands of students across South Korea have finished the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), also known as the Suneung, and anticipation is building as they wait for the cutoff scores to be released.
This year’s exam, held on November 13, 2025, featured moderate difficulty, though several sections—especially Mathematics and Korean Language—were reported as trickier than expected.
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📅 When Will the 2026 CSAT Cutoff Scores Be Released?
According to the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE), the official cutoff scores for each subject and percentile are expected to be announced around December 5, 2025 — roughly three weeks after the exam.
During this period, major private education companies such as Megastudy, Etoos, and Jongro Academy will release their predicted cutoff tables based on sample analysis and student feedback.
(External Source: KICE Official Website)
“The official release is synchronized with the final score reports, allowing students to compare their performance with national averages,”
said a KICE spokesperson.
📊 Cutoff Score Trends Compared to Last Year
Last year’s 2025 CSAT was considered more challenging overall, especially in Mathematics Type A and English Reading.
As a result, the top 1% cutoff for major universities such as Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University rose slightly, while mid-tier institutions saw minor drops.
This year, early analysis suggests that difficulty levels were more balanced, which could lead to narrower score gaps between percentiles.
In particular, English scores may play a key role, as the section was easier than in 2025 — potentially pushing cutoffs higher.
🧠 How Cutoffs Are Determined
CSAT cutoff scores are calculated based on:
- Raw scores converted into standardized scores per subject.
- Percentile ranks, determining a student’s relative standing.
- University admissions criteria, which differ by institution.
Each university uses a unique combination of weighted scores across subjects, meaning a high score in Mathematics might carry more influence in STEM programs, while Korean or English could weigh heavier in liberal arts.
(Internal Link: Korean Education & Exam Trends – Dkolla.com)
🎯 What Students Can Expect Next
Students will receive their official CSAT score reports in early December, followed by university application deadlines later that month.
Experts recommend that students:
- Compare their standardized scores with last year’s cutoffs.
- Use at least two prediction services to gauge admissions chances.
- Focus on universities with consistent cutoff patterns.
“Early prediction helps reduce stress and improves decision-making,”
said Jongro Academy counselor Kim Min-jun.
🏁 Conclusion
The 2026 CSAT cutoff release will determine university admission boundaries and reflect broader trends in exam difficulty.
While this year’s test appeared more balanced, competition among top-tier students remains fierce.
By comparing results with the previous year’s data, students can better understand their standings and make strategic choices.
Truth matters — Dkolla Team
When will the 2026 CSAT cutoff scores be officially released?
The official 2026 CSAT cutoff scores are expected to be released around December 5, 2025, according to the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE).
This release will coincide with the official score report distribution to all test-takers. During this time, major education platforms like Megastudy and Etoos will also publish predicted cutoffs for reference.
How are CSAT cutoff scores calculated?
Cutoff scores are determined using a combination of raw scores, standardized scores, and percentile rankings.
Each subject’s results are converted to reflect national averages, and universities apply individual weightings based on their admission policies.
For example, STEM majors may give more weight to Mathematics, while humanities programs may emphasize Korean or English.
Why do cutoff scores change every year?
Cutoff scores fluctuate due to exam difficulty, competition levels, and student performance trends.
If a particular year’s exam is harder, the cutoff scores may drop slightly, even if average raw scores are lower.
Conversely, an easier test or tighter competition among top scorers can raise the cutoff line for elite universities.
How does the 2026 CSAT compare to last year’s test?
Early reviews suggest the 2026 CSAT was more balanced than the 2025 CSAT.
While last year’s test had challenging Math and English sections, this year’s paper offered a fairer distribution of question difficulty.
As a result, experts expect smaller gaps between top-tier percentiles and a slightly higher English cutoff.
What should students do before the cutoff announcement?
Before the official results are released, students should:
Prepare multiple application plans (reach, match, and safe options).
This proactive approach helps reduce uncertainty and ensures better strategic decision-making during the admission process.
Compare their predicted scores using online calculators.
Review last year’s cutoff data for target universities.
