#15 - Na-eun's April Mock Exam: Dreaming of the Same University
Na-eun's April mock exam results were out.
How'd they turn out, you ask?
...Pretty much the same as last time. Almost identical.
The only real difference was math dropping to third grade.
"Oppa..."
"Nah, it's fine. April mocks aren't that big a deal anyway."
It was meant to comfort Na-eun, but it was true—the April mock exam is way less important than the June or September ones.
Since it's not run by the same folks who do the CSAT, but by local education offices, the difficulty varies wildly.
And this April one was definitely on the tough side.
Maintaining her scores was an achievement in itself.
That said, with these marks, getting into Jinhan University is still a stretch.
So, it's about time I taught her the real "CSAT-style study method."
"Na-eun-ah, we gotta start bumping those scores up soon, right? If you wanna come to my school."
"Yeah... but how...?"
"I think I know the answer. Want me to spill it?"
"Huh? What is it?"
Na-eun's eyes lit up like she'd found a lifeline, sparkling as she gazed at me.
Watching that adorable face, I dropped a line that might sting a little.
"...Your approach just doesn't mesh with the CSAT. You've got no real talent for it, Na-eun."
"Huh...?"
She looked flustered, but I quickly followed up before it could hurt.
"The CSAT isn't about truly mastering the material—it's about racking up points. But you've been studying like it's real academics, not test prep."
"Uh... Oppa, I don't really get..."
No surprise there—it's a tough concept for her.
So I decided to show her, using one of her math problems as the example.
"Na-eun-ah, you got this one right, yeah?"
"Yep."
"So why'd you solve it like this?"
"Well... 'cause that's the right way?"
"Exactly. You're right."
"Huh...?"
She stared at me, even more baffled, so I walked her through my method.
"Okay, we need a number in this range, right?"
"Yes."
"And you derived the answer with this equation."
"Right."
"But do you know what √2 actually is?"
"Uh... um..."
She seemed too tense to follow, so I pressed on.
"√2 is about 1.414, and it goes on from there."
"Oh... yeah."
"So options 1 and 2 are out—they're smaller than 1.4."
"Ah...?"
Now she was starting to catch on.
I breezed through the rest without pause.
"When you've got three options left bigger than 1.4, what's the answer gotta be?"
"...Number 3."
"Bingo. No need to crunch the back half. That range is too wide—it could lead to multiple answers."
That's how you tackle the CSAT.
You don't always need the full precise answer. Infer it, guess smart, and move on.
"Just one classic example. But there are tons of other shortcuts like this. Take that probability and stats problem you missed."
That one had a sneaky little trick. Probability and stats is prime for shortcuts anyway.
As I showed her, I explained.
"To crush the CSAT, it's not just about studying hard—you need that sense to cut time wherever possible."
"Got it..."
"And you can do mental math, right?"
"Of course."
"Skip writing out short equations then. Just jot the final numbers. No point wasting time."
After math, I covered English and Korean too.
For English, the classic: solve the later easy problems while doing listening. For Korean, read the questions first, then skim the passage marking key bits.
Na-eun's solutions waste so much time. Cut that out, and her scores will climb naturally.
That's why I'm teaching her these tricks.
Truth is, I'm no great "proper" teacher. But when it comes to CSAT point-grinding? Top tier.
After hearing me out, Na-eun fiddled with her pen, deep in thought, then asked.
"...Oppa, why didn't you teach me this from the start?"
"Hm?"
"I could've used the Korean and English ones right away. Why hold back?"
I answered straight.
"These tricks need a solid base to work. I wasn't sure of your level yet."
"Oh..."
Yeah, over-rely on tricks and your fundamentals tank—or you miss stuff you shouldn't.
They demand a baseline skill and smarts.
I had to confirm Na-eun could handle them without slipping.
Luckily, she can. That's why I'm sharing now.
"I think you could aim higher than my school. You're doing better than I did my senior year."
"Really?"
"Totally."
"But you got into college with the CSAT too, right?"
"Yep. I was a regular decision fighter from sophomore year. Confident I'd ace it."
"So weren't you better?"
I shook my head right away.
"I got super lucky."
True story. Pure luck.
Korean shifted to tough inference questions, tanking cutoffs—but I nailed them, boosting my score. Math, my strong suit, hit peak difficulty right when I took it, lowering cutoffs there too.
English? Barely scraped 90 for first grade. Same for electives—all top grade by a hair.
Heaven-sent luck. With that much fortune, not improving would've been weirder. I don't rate my study skills highly.
"Even luck needs skill to cash in."
"True. So if you hit a lucky test like mine, you'll crush me. Nail these tricks, and you're golden."
Na-eun nodded firmly, like she was vowing it to herself.
"I'll work hard, Oppa."
"Yeah, let's push those scores way up."
"Yes...!"
She bobbed her head energetically and cracked open her book.
Study fire ignited, probably.
I'm thrilled. If scores don't budge despite effort, anyone might crack once. But her burning passion? Makes teaching her a joy.
Seonwoo oppas advice was a total game-changer for my study habits.
Lots of tricks, sure, but every one he showed me left me in awe.
I knew the English one—solving later problems during listening is standard CSAT strategy.
But Korean and math? Brand new to me. If I could apply them now, my solving speed would skyrocket.
It fired me up even more. Made me want to grind harder.
Because if I bust my ass and make it to Jinhan University with Oppa, I could actually date him through college.
But what if—what if I somehow score high enough for a better school?
Right now, Jinhan feels tough. But if, just if, I could top it... what then?
I'd pick Jinhan without a second thought.
No other choice. Same school as Oppa—that's my one goal.
Even just two years there would make me so happy.
And while we're at the same uni, I want to get even closer. Deeper. Share a profound love with him.
For that moment, that blissful future, I'd study my heart out.