South Korea Bans Preschool Admission Tests From October 1

South Korea will ban academy admission and placement tests for preschool-age children from October 1. The revised rules cover written, oral, practical and interview-style screening before enrollment, including tests often described as the “4-year-old exam” or “7-year-old exam.”

A first violation can bring a 1 million won fine, with penalties increasing for repeat violations. Assessments after enrollment and private tutoring remain outside the new ban, so the change does not eliminate every form of early-childhood testing.