National English Ability Test

National English Ability Test (NEAT) is a test of ability to understand and use English. The test was developed in South Korea by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE). It provides for testing in speaking, listening, writing, and reading.{{cite web | url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/10/181_133721.html | title=NEAT to have positive impact on English learning | access-date=2013-10-28 | publisher=The Korea Times |author=Lyle F. Bachman| date=10 April 2013 }} The test was developed as an attempt to lessen Korea's dependence on foreign language tests.Hwang, ARam [sic] 2012 Maximizing the Positive Effects of the New Korean National English Ability Test (NEAT) on English Language Education in Korea through Task-Based Instruction. M.A. thesis: University of Wisconsin at River Falls, p. 21. According to the National Institute for International Education,{{cite web|url=http://www.niied.go.kr/eng/contents.do?contentsNo=101&menuNo=372#none |title=National English Ability Test(NEAT) |publisher=niied |date= |accessdate=2013-11-01}} the total time that the test lasts is 155 minutes. The same organization says the test is to be available in the public sector in 2014, but it is already available for individual taking in 2013. The NEAT organization provides a conversion sheet comparing NEAT scores to TOEIC and TOEFL scores. The test is aimed primarily at evaluating academic preparation (such as for entrance to universities).{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/southkoreaneducation/home/english-education-in-south-korea/national-english-ability-test |title=National English Ability Test - South Korean Education |date= |accessdate=2013-11-01}} Even though one of NEAT's aims is to get away from "teaching to the test," there are already a number of study books written specifically as NEAT preparation material.{{cite web|url=http://www.kyobobook.co.kr/search/SearchKorbookMain.jsp |title=[인터넷교보문고] 꿈을 키우는 세상 |language=Korean |publisher=Kyobobook.co.kr |date= |accessdate=2013-11-01}}

In 2012, the exam was given to Korean English teachers. As a result of errors uncovered in the test as well as difficulties that teachers had, the original implementation date of using NEAT to test for English skills as an official part of college application was delayed from 2015 to 2019.{{cite web|url=http://internationalednews.com/2013/06/27/south-korea-6/ |title=South Korea | International Education News |publisher=Internationalednews.com |date=2013-06-27 |accessdate=2013-11-01 |author=DoKyoung Lee}}{{cite web | url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/05/113_135615.html | title=Homegrown English tests in trouble | access-date=2013-11-01 | publisher=The Korea Times |author=Bahk Eun-ji| date=13 May 2013 }}