Test Takers Complain of Cruelness of Grading System

Test Takers Complain of Cruelness of Grading System. December. 08, 2007 03:05. foryou@donga.com passion@donga.com.

An increasing number of test-takers are expressing their discontent over the grading system that has been introduced for the first time on this year’s College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). Some point out that in order to receive the top grade on this year’s mathematics “A” type, virtually perfect score is required.

The Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) announced the results of the CSAT on Friday, adding that 644 students of the total examinees, or 0.11 percent, achieved top grades in all subjects including Korean, mathematics, foreign language and social sciences or science. This number has dropped from 800 last year.

The test results show that the ratio of each grade is generally similar to that of the standard, but the ratio of some subjects such as mathematics “A” type and science were rather irregular. Although the “grade one” ratio of the mathematics “A” type was 4.16 percent, similar to that of the standard, its “grade two” ratio was 10.08 percent, more than three percent higher than the seven percent standard. Critics say that the KICE failed to adjust the level of difficulty in some subjects.

Academic institutes estimate a score of 98 to be the minimum score required to receive “grade one” on the mathematics “A” type. In other words, in order to receive “grade one” marks, the test taker had to answer all questions correctly or make only one mistake on one of the two- point questions, which were relatively easy. If the test taker did not answered one of the three or four-point questions correctly, he or she would receive “grade two” marks.

Kim Ui-chang, 20, who repeated half a year of school with an aim to enter a traditional Eastern medical school, says, “I made a mistake on a three-point question. And this is exactly what happened last year. I cannot even apply to both western and eastern medical schools this year. The grading system, which makes students unable to apply to certain universities because of one mistake, is crueler than the scoring system.”

Cho Han-bin, 18, a senior student at Seoul Jamsil High School, says, “Some students, who aim to enter top tier colleges, have even given up applying for regular admission in order to repeat a year. With the exception of those who receive the top grade in all subjects, everyone is discontented with the grading system.” The Ministry of Education and the KICE received countless complaints Friday from those who point out the irrationality of the grading system. A large number of people also demanded to show the answer sheets and scores.

“We estimate that 3.9 percent of those who took the mathematics “A” type test have received a perfect score. Some top students sometimes make a mistake on two-point questions. But it happens only to 200 to 300 students. Therefore, in reality, only those who have a perfect score can receive ‘grade one’ marks,” said Lee Yeong-deok, an executive officer at the Daesung Academy.