CSAT Second Language/Hanja
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
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Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
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Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The CSAT Second Language/Hanja section is the elective portion of South Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test (대학수학능력시험, often called the Suneung), administered once a year by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE). A candidate picks exactly one of nine subjects: German I, French I, Spanish I, Chinese I, Japanese I, Russian I, Arabic I, Vietnamese I, or Classical Chinese (Hanja) I. Each is a first-year (I) level course, so the content stays within the standard high-school syllabus rather than advanced literature or fluency. Most test-takers are high-school seniors preparing for university admission, but the section is also open to graduates and others who need the score. Hanja is by far the most commonly chosen option, which is why it accounts for the largest share of the subject material; the modern-language options suit candidates who already study that language at school or who want a comparatively compact vocabulary-and-grammar target. The exam is entirely multiple choice, delivered in Korean as the working language, with items built around short dialogues, passages, and practical reading tasks. Preparation usually means working through the official curriculum scope, drilling vocabulary and script recognition daily, and practising timed past papers until reading speed and item-pattern recognition are automatic. Confirm current administration details, dates, and scoring on the official KICE site.
What you'll study
About CSAT Second Language/Hanja preparation
What is the format of the Second Language/Hanja section?
It is a multiple-choice paper. You answer one subject only, chosen when you register. Items test reading, vocabulary, grammar, and short practical passages at first-year high-school level, with instructions in Korean. Check KICE for the current item count and time limit, which are published in the annual administration guide.
How hard is the section compared with the rest of the CSAT?
Most candidates find it manageable because the scope is a single I-level course and the item patterns repeat across years. The difficulty is breadth of vocabulary and speed, not deep analysis. Hanja rewards memorisation discipline; modern languages reward steady listening-free reading practice.
Can I retake the exam?
The CSAT is held once a year, and candidates may sit it in later years subject to eligibility rules. There is no separate quick retake within the same cycle. Confirm eligibility for graduates and other applicants on the official KICE site before you plan.
How should I choose between Hanja and a modern language?
Pick Hanja if you already know a base of characters and want a subject with a large, predictable study set. Pick a modern language if you study it at school or have prior exposure, since existing knowledge cuts preparation time sharply. Avoid starting a language from zero late in the year.
What is the best study order?
Start with the official curriculum scope and a vocabulary or character list, then move to past papers by item type. Track errors by category, and re-drill weak categories weekly. Finish with full timed papers to build pacing. Do not read new material in the final weeks.
Why do candidates lose points on this section?
The usual causes are vocabulary gaps in the passage items, misreading similar-looking characters or script, and running out of time on later items. Careless transfer of answers to the sheet also costs marks. Practise under time pressure and check the answer sheet.
Does the section affect university admission?
It is used by some universities in their admission decisions, and the weight varies by institution and by year. Do not assume a fixed role. Check the admission guidelines of each university you apply to, and confirm scoring and reporting details with KICE.
Where do I find official dates, fees, and scoring?
KICE publishes the annual administration guide covering registration dates, fees, the timetable, item counts, and scoring. Those figures change from year to year, so this page does not list them. Use the official KICE site and your school's exam office as the authoritative source.