Report Finds Curiosity to Be the Strongest Driver of Academic Success
According to the Spring 2025 report published by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, curiosity is the most significant factor influencing academic success among 15-year-old students. The report is based on data from the OECD’s 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The analysis revealed that students with high levels of curiosity performed significantly better across all subjects. While perseverance was also linked to achievement, emotional regulation showed a notable impact specifically in mathematics and science. Interestingly, students in the lower achievement group demonstrated higher levels of stress management skills.
South Korean students outperformed the OECD average in the area of emotional regulation. Education expert Lee Ju-yeon emphasised that social-emotional skills are essential not only for academic success but also for broader social development.
The report concludes that education policies should be restructured to foster curiosity and that classroom practices should incorporate strategies to enhance emotional resilience.
Country: South Korea Keywords: Curiosity, Social-Emotional Skills, Academic Success, PISA