![Cha Jeong-in, chairperson of the National Education Commission, opens the commission's eighth meeting of 2026 at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/08/13/rcv.YNA.20260813.PYH2026081317030001300_P1.jpg)
South Korea's National Education Commission is launching a full-scale public consultation on a proposal to shift the College Scholastic Ability Test, known as the Suneung, and high school grade assessments from multiple-choice formats to essay- and short-answer-based evaluations.
The commission announced Thursday that it held its eighth meeting of 2026 at Government Complex Seoul, where it presented a plan for gathering public opinion on reforming the college admissions system.
As part of the effort, the commission plans to hold an overnight deliberation session Aug. 29 and 30 with members of its public participation committee, focusing on the proposed shift to essay- and short-answer-based assessments for both the Suneung and high school grades.
The sessions are designed to gather public input on replacing the current multiple-choice, selection-based testing format with one centered on written and essay responses.
An online public comment period will also run from Friday through Aug. 28 via the commission's public opinion platform, collecting views on the direction of college admissions reform and the proposed transition to essay-based evaluations for both the Suneung and high school grades.
Regional forums are also being held to gather input from local communities. The commission opened the series Tuesday in Incheon and will continue with forums in South Jeolla Province and Gwangju on Monday and in Daegu on Aug. 26, all centered on reforming the college admissions system to prepare for future society.
"We will broaden public consensus on major policies of high social interest, such as the college admissions system, through field forums and deliberation processes," commission Chairperson Cha Jeong-in said.
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