# South Korea 2027 CSAT administration and trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korea-2027-csat-administration-and-trends
> Updated: 2026-08-24T02:24:22.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3.

Registration for the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) commenced on August 24 across 85 testing districts and high schools in South Korea. This exam marks the final administration under the current format, which utilizes elective subjects for Korean and Mathematics, before the system transitions to an integrated model in 2028.

Due to these structural changes, there is heightened interest among ‘N-su’ students—those retaking the exam—who may wish to test one last time under the familiar system. In the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, early registration figures showed a notable increase, with Gwangju reporting a 40% rise in applicants on the first day compared to the previous year.

Registration follows a process where graduating students register at their current schools and graduates at their former high schools. An online pre-entry system is available until September 3 for information input and digital fee payments, followed by in-person registration through September 4.

Regarding subject trends, the proportion of students selecting ‘Calculus and Geometry’ for the mathematics section is projected to drop to approximately 35%. This represents a decline from 43.9% the previous year and is the first time the rate is expected to fall into the 30% range since the integrated CSAT was introduced in 2022. This ‘Hwak-tong Run’ toward ‘Probability and Statistics’ is driven by major universities—most notably excluding Seoul National University—removing mandatory requirements for specific math electives for natural science department applications. As the 2028 system approaches, experts suggest universities may increase their reliance on high school academic records to evaluate mathematical proficiency.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: South Korea begins registration for final current-format CSAT

Registration for South Korea's 2027 CSAT has begun. This is the final exam under the current elective subject system before major structural changes take effect in 2028.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-begins-registration-for-final-current-format-csat

### 2026-08-23: South Korea CSAT math elective selection expected to drop to 35%

The selection rate for Calculus and Geometry in the 2027 CSAT is expected to drop to 35% as students shift to Probability and Statistics following changes in university admission requirements.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-csat-math-elective-selection-expected-to-drop-to-35

### 2026-08-17: South Korean provinces begin 2027 CSAT registration

Registration for the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) in South Korea's Gyeonggi and Chungbuk provinces runs from August 24 to September 4, featuring a new cashless payment requirement.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-provinces-begin-2027-csat-registration

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Cite as: South Korea 2027 CSAT administration and trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korea-2027-csat-administration-and-trends