Student handout — Discussion & Debate
Korea Cut High School Grades From Nine Levels to Five, and Your Students Have Feelings About It
Discussion: Should Korea Have Five Grade Levels Instead of Nine?
Background: Since March 2025, new high school students in Korea are graded on a 5-level scale (내신 — naesin) instead of the old 9-level one. Grade 1 now includes roughly the top 10% of students, instead of just the top 4%.
Discuss in pairs. Pick a side.
Side A — This is better:
- Fewer students drop a grade level over one small mistake.
- Less daily stress about tiny rank changes.
- Matches Korea's move toward a credit-based school system.
Side B — This doesn't fix the real problem:
- So many students are now "Grade 1" that it barely means anything.
- Universities might just judge students on other things instead — essays, interviews, extra activities.
- Nobody has confirmed exactly how university admissions will use the new scale yet.
Questions to answer before you debate:
- Do you think this change makes school less stressful, or does it just move the stress somewhere else?
- If everyone in the top 10% gets the same grade, how should universities tell students apart?
- Is it fair that university admissions rules can change while you're still in high school?