The head of the state institute that administers the annual College Scholastic Ability Test(CSAT) had resigned amid criticism that the English section on this year's college entrance exam was more difficult than it had been in recent years.

The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation said Wednesday that its president, Oh Seung-keol, had taken full responsibility for the English section failing to grade test takers on a fixed scale, causing concern and confusion.

Oh, who took the post in August 2023, has stepped down before completing a three-year term.

The institute pledged to review its question-setting procedures and to put forth ways to improve the process.

The resignation comes after presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik ordered the institute and the education ministry earlier in the week to come up with response measures.