CSAT Grade Calculator (수능 등급 계산기)

Convert CSAT percentile to the 9-grade scale (등급컷).

Overview

The Korean CSAT (수능) reports each subject on a nine-grade scale defined by fixed percentile cut-offs rather than by raw marks. Grade 1 is the top 4 percent of test takers, grade 2 the next 7 percent to a cumulative 11, then 23, 40, 60, 77, 89 and 96 percent, with grade 9 covering the bottom 4 percent.

Your Grade (등급)

Grade Cutoff Table (등급컷 기준표)

Grade Percentile Range Proportion Cumulative

Notes (참고사항)

  • The 9-grade system divides test-takers using fixed percentage cutoffs
  • Grade boundaries are determined by the proportion of test-takers, not by raw scores
  • This system applies to: Korean, Math, English, Korean History, Social/Science subjects
  • English uses absolute grading (절대평가) since 2018 CSAT

How to Use

  1. 1
    Enter your values

    Type your numbers into the CSAT Grade Calculator (Korea) input fields.

  2. 2
    Adjust the options

    Choose the units, method, or region that fits your situation, or apply a quick preset.

  3. 3
    Read the result instantly

    The result updates as you type — no submit button, and nothing is sent to a server.

About

Because the boundaries are proportions of the cohort, the raw score required for a given grade moves with question difficulty every year. A hard paper lowers the grade-1 cut-off and an easy one raises it, which is why year-on-year comparison of raw marks carries no information about relative performance.

The design compresses the middle of the distribution and stretches the tails: grades 4 and 5 each span twenty percentile points, while grade 1 spans four. A candidate near a boundary can move a full grade on a single question, and admissions formulas that weight grades rather than percentiles amplify that discontinuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Korean CSAT (Suneung) grading system work?
The CSAT (수능) uses a 9-grade system based on percentile rank. Grade 1 is the top 4% of test-takers, Grade 2 is the next 7% (top 11%), and so on. Each subject is graded independently. The 9-grade system replaced the previous score-based system in 2005.
What CSAT grade do I need for top Korean universities?
Top universities (SKY: Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei) typically require Grade 1–2 in major subjects. Medical schools require Grade 1 in most subjects. Regional national universities generally accept Grade 2–3. Grade requirements vary by department and admission type.
How many students take the CSAT each year?
Approximately 500,000 students take the CSAT annually in South Korea. The exam is held on a single day in mid-November, when the entire country adjusts schedules (delayed work hours, flight restrictions) to support test-takers. It covers Korean, Math, English, Korean History, and elective subjects.

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