The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), South Korea's university entrance exam, held on November 13, has drawn significant controversy over the extreme difficulty of its English section. Many highly educated native English speakers described some passages and questions as "crazy" after reviewing them.

"The questions are ridiculously difficult; I bet most native speakers would struggle", stated Anjee DiSanto, an American professor at Wonkwang University. She and other English speakers noted the questions employed overly complex, outdated language rarely used in everyday communication.

Question 39 became the focal point of the controversy. This question, which explored how players perceive and act within game worlds, required test-takers to identify the correct insertion point for a given sentence within a passage. Both native speakers consulted and ChatGPT incorrectly chose answer 1; the correct answer was 3.

Question 39 from the 2025 South Korean university English exam. Photo: *The Korea Times*.

The CSAT English section is famously difficult, with many candidates describing it as "deciphering an ancient text". Daesung Academy, a leading South Korean university preparation center, assessed this year's exam as even more challenging than the previous year.

The exam's design has fueled debate regarding its effectiveness in fostering students' English proficiency. Samuel Denny, former associate professor of English language teaching at Sangmyung University, argued that while the test may assess advanced reading skills, it fails to evaluate the practical language students require in the real world.

Kim Soo-yeon, professor of English literature and culture at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, offered a differing perspective. She believes the exam meets its admissions objectives by measuring the reading comprehension skills students need to process university-level information and lectures, rather than merely assessing language.

Many experts attribute candidates' struggles to the widening gap between classroom knowledge and the exam's difficulty.

Lee Hi-kyoung, professor of English language and literature at Korea University, notes that when the exam relies on trick questions or advanced grammar, students are compelled to adapt their study methods. This pressure also intensifies competition within the English tutoring market.

Candidates taking the 2025 university entrance exam in South Korea. Photo: *Yonhap News*.

The CSAT, also known as Suneung, is globally recognized as one of the most rigorous university entrance exams, spanning 8 hours. It comprises six sections: Korean language, mathematics, English, history, an elective section covering natural sciences or social sciences, and a second foreign language. Candidates answer multiple-choice questions or provide short responses.

This year, over 550,000 candidates took the exam, marking the highest participation in the past 7 years. To ensure optimal conditions, all flights were suspended during the English listening test. The subway system increased morning services, and traffic police assisted candidates in reaching their test centers promptly.

Khanh Linh (According to *The Korea Times*, Namu, *Yonhap News*)