The English language section of the College Scholastic Ability Test may be replaced by a state-run English test from 2016. It is also to be recognized as reference material in the rolling admission to universities from 2013.

The Education Ministry held a briefing session Saturday for some 180 high school teachers on the introduction of the National English Ability Assessment Test, widely called the Korean TOEIC or TOEFL, said officials Sunday.

The ministry will make a final decision in 2012 on whether the test will substitute the English language section of the CSAT, after implementing it over the next two years. Around 60,000 students are expected to take the test this year and some 100,000 next year, said officials.

Should the state-run test be confirmed as an adequate alternative, its introduction will be put on a three-year notice until 2016.

The English language section in the 2014-2015 CSAT will then be divided into two levels, so that students may grow accustomed to the renewed English testing system.

The internet-based test will also be recognized from 2012 as reference data in rolling admission, said officials. The Korean Council for University Education presently bans schools from referring to TOEIC, TOEFL, and TEPS -- the three most widely implemented English language assessment tests.

The test is to be divided into three different levels -- one adult level to substitute the TOEIC and TOEFL, and two student levels to substitute the CSAT English session.

The 145-minute test consists of four sections, including listening, reading, speaking and writing, and the number of questions is to vary, depending on the level of the test taken.

“In step with the new upcoming English test, we are working on educating the high school English teachers on how to adapt their curriculum,” said a ministry official at the briefing session.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)