2025 College Entrance Exam Acceptance Scores: Korea University Surpasses Yonsei University

In the regular admission process for the 2025 academic year, Korea University has recorded higher acceptance scores in both the humanities and natural science fields compared to Yonsei University.

According to an analysis conducted on the 8th by Jongno Academy, based on the public data from the college admission information portal 'Where to Go' and the universities' announcements, Korea University has maintained higher scores than Yonsei University for four consecutive years, using a 70% cut-off based on the average percentile scores in Korean, Mathematics, and Investigative Studies.

In the humanities field, Korea University achieved a score of 94.00, while Yonsei University scored 91.73.

In the natural sciences field, Korea University saw a decrease from 95.09 in the 2024 academic year to 94.49, down by 0.6 points, while Yonsei University decreased by 0.19 points, from 94.23 to 94.04 during the same period.

Experts analyze that this decline in natural science scores is influenced by the expansion of medical school admissions for the 2025 academic year.

Differences in Subject Scores and Changes in Disclosure Methods

Looking at the detailed subject scores published by 'Where to Go', Korea University's humanities department achieved scores of 94.41 in Korean, 93.98 in Mathematics, and an average of 91.08 for Investigative Studies (based on two subjects).

For the natural sciences, the scores were 93.34 in Korean, 96.89 in Mathematics, and an average of 91.65 for Investigative Studies (based on two subjects).

In contrast, Yonsei University recorded scores of 96.35 in Korean, 88.38 in Mathematics, and an average of 91.71 for Investigative Studies (based on two subjects) in the humanities field, while the natural sciences scores were 91.62 in Korean, 97.21 in Mathematics, and an average of 92.24 for Investigative Studies (based on two subjects).

Notably, Seoul National University has decided to keep its average scores for Korean, Mathematics, and Investigative Studies confidential starting from the 2025 academic year.

Seoul National University is only disclosing acceptance scores based on its own converted scores, making it impossible to compare acceptance scores with the previous year.

Furthermore, a significant number of major universities in Seoul have transitioned from disclosing percentile average scores for Korean, Mathematics, and Investigative Studies to announcing subject scores.

Increased Concern Over Confusion Among Examinees

Im Seong-ho, representative of Jongno Academy, analyzed that "many major universities in Seoul have switched from disclosing the previous average percentile scores for Korean, Mathematics, and Investigative Studies to announcing subject scores, making it impossible for examinees to understand the changes in acceptance scores compared to last year and to gauge the differences between scores of various universities and departments."

He particularly noted, "With the substantial increase in medical school admissions, a complete expansion of non-major admissions, and cross-applications between science and the humanities, the drastic changes in the reporting methods for the 2025 entrance exam results will make it even more difficult for the 2026 examinees to predict their university applications."

As the guidelines for disclosing acceptance scores vary by university, examinees find themselves in a situation where it is challenging to assess changes in scores compared to last year or to determine score levels between different universities and departments. This change is expected to further exacerbate the uncertainty in the entrance exam environment.

Image source: On the afternoon of the 8th, test-taker parents attending the 'June Mock Exam Foundation Acceptance Score Prediction and 2026 Regular Admission Strategy Special Briefing' at the Gangbuk Jongno Academy in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, are reviewing admission analysis materials. / News1, Korea University / Photo = Insight, News1