The period of study for college education is four or six years. In an effort to broaden the autonomy of colleges and universities and to normalize examination-bound high school education, a new entrance examination system became effective from 1994 and continues to change and improve every year. In determining college entrance, the new system gives more than 40 percent weight to high school achievement. According to the 1995 Education Reform, national and public universities select students with selection data such as high school achievement, scholastic achievement test score, essay test, interview and so forth from 1997 school year. Entrance examination administered by respective national and public universities has been abolished, which has focused mainly on Korean, English and mathematics.
Private universities are free to administer their own exams.
In fact, university-administered examination has been absolutely abolished. And various elective subjects will be added to scholastic achievement test according to the trend that common compulsory sujects are reduced while elective ones are expanded in the new curriculum in high schools. After 1998 school year, the reflection rate of school achievement will vary from university to university. It means that more than 40 percent of school achievement are not compelled, and each university can decide the reflection rate of school achievement. In some colleges and universities, some applicants are allowed to apply for the special selection.