Difficulty Level of Compulsory Subject ‘Korean History’ of 2017 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) and Course in High School

Abstract

Turning ‘Korean History’ into a compulsory subject in 2017 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) was successful for student to study ‘Korean History’ harder than before when it was an optional subject. But we should be careful to think that ‘easy questions’ are the best solution for any possible matters. If students consider ‘Korean History’ test unchallenging which can be prepared right before CSAT, high school ‘Korean History’ teachers will have more difficulty leading the classes. In fact, the total class hour of ‘Korean History’ didn’t increase after the subject become compulsory. In addition, the test with very low item discrimination will not guarantee the proper Korean History education. In the past, ‘Korean History’ CSAT had several demanding questions which were too much for students who didn’t take humanities courses. But it’s also problematic that students can find the answers without paying attention to courses at school. That’s why we should constantly listen to high school Korean History teachers’ opinion about controlling the level of difficulty.