**Major Media Outlets Highlight ‘Crazy’ Difficulty of Korea’s College Entrance Exam**
– “The Reason Samsung is in Korea” and “Meaninglessly Long Texts” Reactions
On November 13, the 2026 academic year College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) took place, drawing significant attention from major media outlets, including those in the UK, due to its high difficulty level, especially in the English section.
The British media posed the question, “Can You Pass Korea’s ‘Crazy’ College Entrance English Exam?” and introduced the exam, noting its notorious difficulty. The BBC, on December 12, reported that Korean students compare the English section to deciphering ancient texts and even described it as “crazy.” They highlighted difficult questions involving German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s legal philosophy and video game terminology.
Some British media invited readers to solve the CSAT English questions themselves. Critical comments about the exam appeared on online forums like Reddit, describing certain questions as “showy wordplay” and “poor writing that fails to convey concepts clearly.”
The BBC explained that Korean students tackle 45 questions within 70 minutes and emphasized the CSAT’s crucial impact on university admission, job prospects, income, and social relationships, describing it as an eight-hour marathon test every November.
The Telegraph also covered the story, highlighting the difficulty of questions 34, 35, and 39 in the CSAT English exam. British readers reacted with diverse opinions, including a satirical comment explaining why Korea has Samsung, while the UK has political figures like Starmer and entertainment shows.
Some comments likened the CSAT questions to those on Harvard Business School’s entrance exam and noted the difficulty of understanding some questions despite being proficient in English.
The Guardian reported on the resignation of the head of the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation due to the controversy over the CSAT’s difficulty. It described the CSAT as essential for gaining admission to prestigious universities and achieving social mobility, economic stability, and favorable marriage prospects in Korea. Furthermore, it highlighted concerns about the intense pressure on students in Korea’s competitive education system contributing to high levels of youth depression globally.