South Korea's Ministry of Education has released updated guidelines for the upcoming 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), bringing a wider range of modern gadgets under strict prohibition.

Set to take place on November 19, this year's nationwide college entrance exam will disallow standard electronics alongside newer tech items such as electronic cigarettes, external battery packs (auxiliary batteries), and tumblers featuring built-in electronic displays. Educational authorities emphasized that any electronic gear—including smartphones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earphones, and electronic dictionaries—must not enter the test facilities.

Examinees who must bring essential electronic devices due to unavoidable circumstances are required to hand them over to test supervisors before the first period begins. Retaining possession of prohibited items will lead to immediate score cancellation. Timekeeping devices are also heavily restricted, with only basic analog watches permitted.

A particularly strict penalty framework has been established for smart eyewear and wearable tech. Simply keeping a pair of smart glasses on during the test will be classified as cheating, canceling the student's exam results for the year and banning them from taking the test the following year. Refusing a proctor's inspection request will trigger similar disciplinary actions, and educational officials warned that intentional cheating schemes could face formal police investigations and criminal charges.

The ministry also reiterated regulations concerning the complex 4th-period inquiry section. Students must follow the exact sequence of their chosen elective subjects; handling multiple question booklets at once or editing past answers out of sequence will be penalized as cheating. Furthermore, all students are required to take the mandatory Korean History exam to avoid complete score invalidation.

To assist students with post-exam processing, estimated score tracking tables printed on the reverse side of admission tickets must be completed strictly before the closing bell of each period. Authorities advise all applicants to review the official guidelines thoroughly ahead of the preliminary briefing on November 18 to ensure a smooth testing experience.

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