Nearly 600,000 students take 2018 college entrance exam nationwide in S. Korea
- 6 years ago
It's a big day for nearly 600-thousand test-takers here in Korea as they are taking their college entrance exam today,.... also known as 'Suneung'.
It is considered one of the most important tests of their lives..... and the whole country is making efforts to ensure the big exam goes as smoothly as possible.
Yoon Jung-min has details.
Every year, South Korean students take the College Scholastic Ability Test or 'Suneung'. On Thursday morning, nearly 600-thousand students, mostly high school seniors, began their college entrance exam at 1-thousand-190 test sites nationwide.
"My son told me this morning that he would just relax and do his the best. He has been putting in his best efforts so far. I hope he will do his best on the exam after years of hard work."
The exams consist of Korean language, mathematics, English, Korean history and other subjects. Students can choose to take either social science or natural science, too.
The exams are considered one of the important tests in students' lives and they often spend years studying for them. The results will determine which universities they will be going to next year.
Many Koreans believe a college shapes a student’s future, so many study hard to get into prestigious schools.
On the day of the Suneung test, the whole country supports the test-takers.
Extra public transportation is put on during morning rush hours which are extended by two hours from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
People begin their work an hour later to reduce morning traffic jams for the students, and the police are on stand-by to give free rides for any students who need them.
The country’s stock markets also open and close an hour later.
Traffic is controlled near the test sites, and flights are put on hold in the afternoon for about 30 minutes during the English listening comprehension section to minimize disturbance.
It is an annual tradition for groups of juniors to gather around at the test sites early in the morning to support the seniors on their big day. They sing, hand out chocolates and wish them good luck.
"I came early this morning to cheer for our seniors so that they can do their best for all their hard work over the last three years."
This year's exam results will be announced in the first week of December and will be submitted along with the students’ university application forms.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.
It is considered one of the most important tests of their lives..... and the whole country is making efforts to ensure the big exam goes as smoothly as possible.
Yoon Jung-min has details.
Every year, South Korean students take the College Scholastic Ability Test or 'Suneung'. On Thursday morning, nearly 600-thousand students, mostly high school seniors, began their college entrance exam at 1-thousand-190 test sites nationwide.
"My son told me this morning that he would just relax and do his the best. He has been putting in his best efforts so far. I hope he will do his best on the exam after years of hard work."
The exams consist of Korean language, mathematics, English, Korean history and other subjects. Students can choose to take either social science or natural science, too.
The exams are considered one of the important tests in students' lives and they often spend years studying for them. The results will determine which universities they will be going to next year.
Many Koreans believe a college shapes a student’s future, so many study hard to get into prestigious schools.
On the day of the Suneung test, the whole country supports the test-takers.
Extra public transportation is put on during morning rush hours which are extended by two hours from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
People begin their work an hour later to reduce morning traffic jams for the students, and the police are on stand-by to give free rides for any students who need them.
The country’s stock markets also open and close an hour later.
Traffic is controlled near the test sites, and flights are put on hold in the afternoon for about 30 minutes during the English listening comprehension section to minimize disturbance.
It is an annual tradition for groups of juniors to gather around at the test sites early in the morning to support the seniors on their big day. They sing, hand out chocolates and wish them good luck.
"I came early this morning to cheer for our seniors so that they can do their best for all their hard work over the last three years."
This year's exam results will be announced in the first week of December and will be submitted along with the students’ university application forms.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.