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The National Education Commission has initiated a public deliberation process to introduce written and essay-type questions to replace the existing multiple-choice format of the college entrance exam. This process took place during a deliberative forum held in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, on the 29th and 30th, with participation from 203 citizen committee members. The participants included students, parents, educators, and general citizens, who discussed the issues of the current college admission system and the potential transition to a written and essay-type system.
The discussions primarily focused on the diagnosis that the current entrance exam is overly centered on finding objective answers and excessive ranking. However, there were significant concerns regarding the introduction of a written and essay-type college entrance exam. Key issues that emerged included ensuring the objectivity of grading criteria, the need for evaluation expertise in schools, and the potential increase in new forms of private tutoring, such as essay correction services.
Lee Min-seok, a member of the National AI Strategy Committee's Education and Talent Division, proposed a grading assistance method utilizing AI technology, explaining that teachers would determine the questions and grading criteria, while AI would provide a draft of the grading based on that. However, one participant pointed out that unless the society's structure, which is centered around academic background, is improved, discussions will continue to repeat regardless of whether the format is written or multiple-choice. The National Education Commission emphasized that this discussion is not about reaching a conclusion but is a careful review stage, stating that the system will be designed from a long-term perspective.