College Scholastic Ability Test

The College Scholastic Ability Test or CSAT (Korean: 대학수학능력시험; Hanja: 大學修學能力試驗), also abbreviated as Suneung (수능; 修能), is a standardised test which is recognised by South Korean universities. The Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) administers the annual test on the third Thursday in November.

The CSAT was originally designed to assess the scholastic ability required for college. Because the CSAT is the primary factor considered during the Regular Admission round, it plays an important role in South Korean education. Of the students taking the test, as of 2023, 65 percent are currently in high school and 31 percent are high-school graduates who did not achieve their desired score the previous year. The share of graduates taking the test has been steadily rising from 20 percent in 2011. Despite the emphasis on the CSAT, it is not a requirement for a high school diploma.

Day-to-day operations are halted or delayed on test day. Many shops, flights, military training, construction projects, banks, and other activities and establishments are closed or canceled. The KRX stock markets in Busan, Gyeongnam and Seoul open late.