It seems that each child may need to develop a different strategy for entrance exams. If you could share some insights on how to approach this with a roadmap for different groups—such as the top, middle, and lower tiers—it would be very helpful for many people. For instance, if a student solves about 20-30% of middle school or college entrance exam questions and scores above 80 points, that score is actually significant. If a student consistently scores above 80, they can be considered capable of entering one of the top 30 universities in Seoul. 

For students aiming for the top tier, the only way to achieve this is to fully commit to solving exam questions throughout their six years of middle and high school. If there is a reasonable chance of success, then attending a prestigious school or a specialized high school would also be meaningful. If a student is aiming for a specific career path, such as medicine, it is crucial that they focus on their academic potential. However, if students with academic potential end up in the wrong school district, it could hinder their progress.

There are cases where students make the wrong career choices due to specialized high school education. Therefore, students who want to go to medical school do not necessarily need to attend specialized high schools or gifted schools. These schools primarily nurture students who are focused on engineering and science, not those aiming for medical school. To get into medical school, students need to perform well across all subjects. It's not enough to excel only in math and science; they must achieve a top score in Korean based on the college entrance exam criteria. Additionally, it is important to consistently score above level one in English as well. If students are guided to attend specialized high schools just because they want to go to medical school, that is not the right approach. Those students might actually be better suited for general high schools, which are often easier to get into, and if there is a concern about the academic atmosphere, and if there are no such general high schools in the area, then they should consider schools that have a good track record of sending students to medical school.

Choose a strategy like that of specialized high schools, and guide students with roadmaps that are meaningful to them. So, if we conduct a study skills test and identify students in the top 20%, they should spend about three to four hours a day on pure study time for five to six years in middle and high school. This means that aside from attending classes at school or an academy, they need to dedicate at least three to four hours to self-study to solidify what they have learned. Only then can they hope to be in the top 30%. As I mentioned earlier, the competition for the top 30% and top 10% has become more intense. There are currently many students repeating grades, which makes the competition tougher for current students. Based on middle school grades, about 30% of students nationwide receive a score of 2 in Korean, Mathematics, and English. However, when these students move on to high school and face competition for repeating grades, we can expect that about half of them will drop out of the competition based on current standards.

There is a common misconception these days. Some middle schools are making their exams relatively easy, leading parents to believe that their children, who score above 90 in all subjects, are doing well academically and are in the top tier. However, when they enter high school and reach the third year, they realize that they are not in the top tier but rather in the middle tier. According to middle school standards, the top students are those who score nearly perfect in subjects like Korean and Mathematics, with scores around 97 or 100. These students make up about 10 to 15% of the national population. When they enter high school, they are competing for the top 10 or 30 spots, which is becoming increasingly challenging due to the intensified competition among the top students. Therefore, if one is identified as being in the upper tier, what should they do? For the five to six years of middle and high school, it is essential to study for at least three to four hours a day as a basic requirement.

You need to study and do self-study, but if the amount of study is insufficient, it can affect your learning. If you don't have enough study time, you might consider options like repeating a year or transferring to another school. Based on what you mentioned, in the case of elementary school students, if they score in the top 20-30% on a study aptitude test, it indicates that they should be pushed to study more. If they are middle school students, they should ideally be in the top 10% of their class. As I mentioned earlier, the average score for the entrance exam is around the 30% mark, so being in the top tier is quite important. Additionally, as I mentioned before, for this year, students need to score at least 95 points in math. As you know, math is crucial for entrance exams. The number of spots in medical schools has increased, and advanced programs have also expanded.

Until high school, if a child can continue to engage with the mathematical aspects without giving up and can handle it, then they can become part of the top tier in mathematics. This opens up many paths to good universities and quality jobs. On the other hand, students who struggle with mathematics, or those in the liberal arts, see a significant drop in their competitiveness for college entrance exams. Currently, in the college entrance exam, 90% of the students who achieve a top grade in mathematics are from the science track. For liberal arts students, even those in the top tier often find themselves with a grade of 2 or lower in mathematics based on the entrance exam standards. Therefore, we need to pay attention to the competition in mathematics. The focus will likely shift more towards the middle and lower tiers. If a child's performance on a study skills test indicates that they are not in the top 20%, I often emphasize that it is more beneficial to enhance their strengths rather than trying to improve their weaknesses.

It is better to focus on improving what one is already good at. From the perspective of subjects like mathematics, since I am not very good at it, I tend to receive a grade of 5, which I then try to raise to a 4. However, this approach is somewhat of a lower-level strategy. A more effective strategy is to enhance what one is already good at. For instance, if a student receives a low grade in mathematics among the subjects, it would be better to attend a math academy and study math more intensively to achieve a perfect grade of 1 in either the school exams or the college entrance exam. Additionally, there are schools that place more weight on math when applying for college, so strategically applying for early admission or regular admission can significantly increase the chances of acceptance. It is quite challenging to improve a subject that a child struggles with, so I often emphasize this point during private tutoring sessions. While private education can raise scores, it cannot change grades.

I'm talking a lot about this. Now that my child is entering high school, I'm thinking that even though they started studying late, if they receive a lot of private education, their scores might improve. For example, in the situation of entering high school, there is a high probability that they will already have a certain level of grades in the first-year mock college entrance exam. It's also important not to be mistaken; the first and second mock exams do not include repeat students. Since repeat students are not taking these exams, the first and second grades need to be achieved under those circumstances. Looking at the top ten successful candidates, more than 50% of them are repeat students. Given the current competitive landscape, we need to be much more conservative. If my child starts studying late and we send them to a private academy, they might improve from a score of 71 to 78.

You can do it, but moving a student from a grade 3 to a grade 2 is not very easy. Many people are under the illusion that they can start this process as early as high school, or at least that they should. This is a common misconception. Students in lower tiers don't really worry about this. If our child has improved to a grade 5 based on the college entrance exam criteria, they can get into any university as long as they pay the fees and submit their application. The issue isn't about getting into a university; it's about which university they go to. If you think that just going to any university or any major is fine, then you won't be able to find a better path quickly. Even in high school, if a child is already being pushed to understand based on the college entrance exam criteria, families might not push them too hard to study. Instead, they might encourage them to work part-time or gain social experience.

Students can do things like that, and in fact, they have more potential for the future. The most ambiguous situation is with students who score in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grades on the college entrance exam. We can't just ignore their studies, but at the same time, it's a bit unclear how to guide them. Moreover, as we move into the era of artificial intelligence, the first jobs that will disappear will likely be held by these students. There are articles discussing how white-collar jobs in companies are being replaced by AI, leading to layoffs. Therefore, the jobs held by students scoring in the 3rd and 4th grades on the college entrance exam are the ones that will be the first to vanish. If there are people with insight into this situation, they might consider making bold and strategic choices rather than just studying half-heartedly. Instead of attending an ambiguous university, studying abroad in Japan could be a viable option. In Japan, there are currently many regular job positions available.

So, if you graduate from a university outside the top 30 in our country, there are only non-regular jobs available. It's not even possible to go to factories. As a result, many students these days are working part-time jobs in logistics and delivery. They have grown up in a comfortable environment, so they dislike going to tough workplaces and dealing with difficult bosses. They also dislike being nagged by anyone. However, with these part-time jobs, they can earn some money, but they aren't building their careers. Nowadays, companies do not hire new graduates; they only recruit experienced workers, which means young people cannot accumulate their own experience. In Japan, for instance, local national universities offer almost full scholarships. So, if you can pass the Japanese proficiency test, it might be better to receive a full scholarship for four years at a Japanese national university and graduate from there.

They say that the Japanese economy will recover soon because there are many regular jobs available. After the current generation of workers in Japan retires, there will be plenty of job opportunities. If you can find regular career paths there, in ten years, you might have various possibilities. This is a difficult topic, but if you feel that you might not be able to attend a meaningful university in our country, you might want to consider Japan as an option. I also introduced studying in Germany and the United States in my book. In fact, there are many very expensive universities, but there are also community colleges, like River College, where you can get in with much lower scores. You can definitely try studying in the United States. For example, there are jobs in plumbing or hairdressing that require some technical skills, and the annual salary can reach around 100 million won.

There are many job opportunities available that can be quite beneficial. This can be a new blue ocean, and attending a mediocre university in our country after studying vaguely could be the worst decision. However, if a child is not studying, we might say, Let's look for something else. If a child who is in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade says, I want to study, it can be difficult for parents to navigate that situation. One strategy could be to help the child excel in the subjects they are already good at. For example, if the main subjects are Korean, mathematics, and science, instead of sending them to a cram school for the subjects they struggle with, we could focus on enhancing their strengths. In the case of college admissions, for instance, if a student excels in Korean, they could leverage their participation in various extracurricular activities for a comprehensive evaluation rather than just relying on the academic track. If a student is doing very well in Korean but struggling in mathematics, they might consider attending a math academy.

Instead of sending them to math academies to improve their math scores, it would be better to invest more in Korean language academies to secure a stable first-grade score in the national exam. The energy that would be spent on math academies could be better utilized in comprehensive student evaluations or similar activities, which would enhance their competitiveness. This would allow them to demonstrate greater strengths when they enter university and later in society. Students who engage in writing, participate in interviews, and read more books in these areas will naturally realize that there is a world beyond just solving problems. For those in the lower ranks, if they say they are not studying, we should also consider the various world experiences. Before our broadcast, Coco asked if there were opportunities to travel abroad and gain different experiences. Recently, I had an opportunity to do just that.

This is about our study group. There were people who had read books on similar topics and those who studied with me. We also had participants who practiced together, and during the winter break, we went on a family seminar for four nights and five days to Bohol, Philippines. It wasn't an extremely long period; a three-night, four-day trip could be sufficient if it includes a weekend. 

During that winter break, we had many middle and high school students. We woke up in the morning to exercise together and also engaged in plogging volunteer activities. We tried out various activities like this. Since the natural environment was great, we also did some self-reflection exercises to identify our values. This helped us recognize our strengths and plan for the next semester, including strategies for college entrance exams and how to approach our career paths. It was all about understanding ourselves in a beautiful natural setting.

On the last day, we had a daycare center there, and we did volunteer work at that daycare. There was a math teacher who went with us, and he also did some volunteer work making watches. We made kimbap and did various activities together. We exercised there and engaged in community service. After the four-day seminar, we had lectures, enjoyed the beautiful natural environment, exercised, and participated in various volunteer activities. When I asked the children and their parents what they remembered most, they said that the volunteer work was the most memorable. At that time, I realized that what changes people is not lectures or theoretical education, but rather emotions and tears. When I go out into the world, as long as I can speak English a little better and communicate, I can do so much.

There are many things to consider. The kids who study well will need to continue working on problem sets for five to six years. However, for those who are a bit uncertain, rather than going to a cram school during the vacation, it might be better to consider something like a month-long stay, if circumstances allow. Even if it's not a full month, planning a family trip for about four to five days during the vacation can be a great option. Every vacation, they can explore the world around them. The world is vast, and there is so much to learn. Solving problem sets is not the entirety of education. When children are shown this broad world, especially in the age of artificial intelligence, those who have had diverse experiences will likely be able to express themselves more fully and find paths to live happily. For instance, even if they are sent to a cram school, focusing solely on solving problem sets may not be the best approach.

In addition to studying at academies, you can also send your children to woodworking academies for six years during middle and high school, or to drone academies, or have them try coding or sports. There are various activities they can explore. I think sending them to academies where they can confidently participate and achieve results is one way to go about it. By saving on private education expenses, we can invest in meaningful education. I have two children, and I mentioned that we are aiming for zero private education expenses. Instead, we use that saved money to travel to a different country each vacation, and I encourage many people to consider this approach. 

When it comes to questions about school districts, the key points are usually twofold: where to go and when to go. As for where to go, I believe you should choose a place that fits your circumstances. In the metropolitan area, places like Suji and Jungwon are good options.

If you're considering Bundang and then Daechi-dong, it seems like you're weighing your options. The criteria for our family situation, which I believe I first disclosed regarding our monthly expenses, includes our living costs, my retirement, and the future education expenses for my child. They will need to attend university and possibly study abroad, right? Therefore, I mentioned a symbolic amount of 2 million won that would allow us to save for these aspects. I suggested saving 1 million won for my retirement and another 1 million won for my child's future education expenses. You should look for a neighborhood that fits your family situation. As for when to move, many people say that ideally, you should do it by the 5th or 6th grade of elementary school to secure a spot in the desired middle school. However, I would advise that it’s best to move when your child is ready and prepared.

I mentioned the criteria for capabilities here, and I briefly talked about what is called a study head test. So, how can we objectively determine whether a child is prepared or not? For instance, can our child attend a middle school in Bundang, or should they go to a middle school in Daechi-dong? A good way to find out is to solve the exam papers from the schools in the area where you want to apply. Simply put, if the child can score above 80 points, it would be advisable to go for it. However, if the child hasn't learned the material, how can they do that? This is where I explained the concept of the study head test. It’s like a preview test. For example, if I want to attend a middle school in Daechi-dong, I can download the exam papers from that school from websites like Jokbo.com, which provide past exam questions.

First, download the exam paper and make two copies of the same test. One copy will be completed within the exam time, while the other will be done without a time limit and as an open book test. This way, both copies will be completed without grading them first. Then, when the grading is done, the score from the first test can be seen as my current ability, while the score from the second test can represent the potential maximum score I could achieve if I work hard, receive private tutoring, and get help from adults in a conducive learning environment. 

Based on this potential score, if my child is currently in the sixth grade, they may not be able to perform well in subjects like English and Math if they haven't studied ahead. However, they can still attempt the test. The same applies when preparing for high school; I need to determine which level of school my child should aim for or which region to focus on.

When choosing a school, I download the exam questions from that school and try to solve them in advance. In the case of middle school, if I haven't prepared adequately in English and math by the time I'm in the third year, it won't be easy to keep up at that school. I can attempt to solve the English and math problems, but if I'm still not prepared in those subjects, I can still try to work through them. Based on my scores, if I can achieve a score of 80 or above on that school's exam, it indicates that the school is suitable for me. However, if I lack the necessary skills or preparation, going there in advance will only lead to struggles. My scores won't reflect my efforts, and my self-esteem will drop, leading me to think that no matter how hard I try, I can't succeed. Many people emphasize the importance of a conducive study environment, but...

The atmosphere of studying is good in places where I can achieve high scores. It's not that my friends are doing well because the study environment is good. Everyone studies hard and gets good scores, but if I am not getting good scores, then I am the one bringing that down. In such schools, my self-esteem drops, and if I don't achieve results in entrance exams, I end up having to take the college entrance exam again and go through the regular admission process. In this situation, spending a lot of money on private education doesn't seem meaningful. In a way, we should consider how well our child can adapt to this school district and what kind of grades they can achieve. If possible, we should aim for a school where they can be in the top 20-30% of that area. Choosing a high school is a significant concern for many families, so it might be worth judging based on those criteria.

I also want to say that even though I was in Daechi-dong, not all children there smoke or experience school violence. As you may have seen in recent media reports, in rural schools, if children get into fights, it's often seen as just kids being kids. However, in very sensitive areas like this, such incidents can lead to lawsuits. Many parents are also lawyers, and there is a certain atmosphere surrounding this. Even minor issues can provoke very sensitive reactions, and teachers experience a lot of stress from these complaints. Therefore, it is not easy to implement new educational initiatives. If something goes wrong, it can lead to greater criticism, and there are also aspects of caution involved. So, in fact, this school district...

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