Gov't takes flak for CSAT errors

A man walks past the entrance gate of the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. The institute, which administers the College Scholastic Ability Test, is facing a credibility crisis following a series of errors in CSAT questions. / Yonhap

By Kim Se-jeong

Administrators of the annual College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) and the Ministry of Education are receiving a flood of complaints from applicants over some possibly erroneous questions on this year’s test.

One question in the English section presented a graph on the changing patterns of American teenagers’ social media use and asked test-takers to choose the one incorrect answer from the five listed.

However, there were two incorrect ones due to the test mistakenly referring to an increase from 2 to 20 percent as an 18 “percent” increase rather than an 18 “percentage points” increase. An 18-percent increase from 2 percent would add up to 2.36 percent, not 20 percent.

Test-takers also insisted that there were possible errors in two other questions in the Science and Social Science sections.

As complaints are mounting, the ministry said the three disputed questions will be reviewed until Nov. 24 and, if found erroneous, scores will be recalculated.

Applicants are scheduled to receive their scores from the CSAT on Dec 3.

The CSAT is a decisive test for high school graduates in entering college. Getting one question right or wrong can change one’s future academic and career path in highly competitive Korean society.

The ministry and the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE), which administers the CSAT, are already in trouble for a similar error on last year’s test.

Last year’s error was about comparing the gross domestic products (GDP) of the European Union and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) members. The correct answer was one that stated the EU’s GDP was larger than NAFTA’s, but some contenders argued the reality changed since 2010 and the question did not specify the base year.

Some applicants filed a lawsuit and on Oct. 16, the Seoul High Court ruled in favor of those who had demanded the institute recalculate their grades and give them a second chance to select a school with their new scores. Following the court ruling, KICE admitted its fault, pledging to take measures to prevent a recurrence.

Jeong Hak-jun, a KICE public relations officer, refused to comment on the claims, only saying that even if the questions are found to be erroneous, his organization deserves credit for its hard work.

The controversy also raises doubts about professionalism.

Established in 1994, KICE comes under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office but is funded by the Ministry of Education. Experts argue its dubious structure makes it impossible for the government to evaluate its performance.

KICE said a total of 638 professors and school teachers participated in devising questions and double-checking work for this year’s test.