Introduction
The 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), Korea’s most important university entrance exam, was officially held on November 13, 2025.
After weeks of anticipation, the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) released the official questions and answers for all subjects — including Korean, Mathematics, English, and elective courses.
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This year’s CSAT maintained a moderate difficulty level but introduced several new question formats, especially in the Math and Science sections. Let’s break down the key details, expert opinions, and what this means for future applicants.
Exam Overview
The 2026 CSAT followed the same structure as previous years, covering:
- Korean Language (국어)
- Mathematics (수학)
- English (영어)
- Korean History (한국사)
- Social Studies / Science / Vocational Electives (탐구 과목)
- Second Foreign Language or Chinese Characters (제2외국어/한문)
Experts noted that reading comprehension passages in Korean were slightly longer, and Math included more integrated reasoning problems requiring multiple steps.
English listening sections remained consistent, but writing and inference-based questions showed a minor increase in difficulty.
Key Highlights
- Korean Section: Longer literary passages and mixed-genre questions challenged time management.
- Mathematics Section: More questions involving real-life application rather than rote formulas.
- English Section: Moderate difficulty with emphasis on vocabulary and context.
- Science Section: Advanced data interpretation and graph analysis questions gained attention among test-takers.
According to early feedback, the average overall difficulty was comparable to the 2025 CSAT, though the top 1% found the Math section slightly easier.
Official Answers
The official CSAT questions and answers can be downloaded directly from:
📎 KICE Official Website (Korean Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation)
Students are encouraged to verify answers from authorized sources only, as unofficial answer keys may contain discrepancies before final confirmation.
💬 Expert Analysis
Education experts say this year’s test reflects a stronger focus on critical thinking and synthesis rather than memorization.
As the Ministry of Education continues reforming the CSAT format, upcoming tests are expected to emphasize data reasoning and text integration skills.
1. When were the 2026 CSAT questions and answers released?
They were officially released on November 14, 2025, one day after the test.
2. Where can I download the official CSAT answer sheets?
You can download them from the KICE official website at www.kice.re.kr.
3. Was the 2026 CSAT harder than the 2025 test?
Most teachers say the overall difficulty was similar, though reading sections felt longer.
4. What subjects showed the biggest change this year?
Math and Science introduced more real-world problem-solving questions.
5. How should students prepare for the next CSAT?
Focus on conceptual understanding and integrated thinking instead of memorization.
