In Korea, Suneung (College Scholastic Ability Test) is normally held on the third Thursday of November each year. However, it has been postponed to December 3 this year for schools were delayed due to COVID-19. Similar to the SAT and ACT exams in the United States, Suneung is required to get into college in Korea. Unlike the U.S., only high school students in their third year (seniors) and high school graduates are eligible to take the test, and the exam is only offered once a year. If students don’t get accepted at the college of their choice, they may retake the exam the following year.
Since Suneung is considered a life-changer, this day is important to many Koreans. With that being said, there is a national effort to provide test takers the best testing environment. Let’s take a look at the fascinating Suneung culture in Korea.
Before the exam begins, efforts are made to make sure test takers arrive on time. To prevent the students from failing the exam for being late, office workers go to work an hour later than usual to reduce traffic congestion. In addition, you will find long queues of police cars on the streets to provide rides to exam sites (police officers also patrol the sites to make sure no one interrupts the exam).
During the exam’s listening part of the English section, efforts are made to minimize disturbance by reducing outside noise. For example, flights and artillery exercises are prohibited during this time, and Korean airports ban airplanes from taking off and landing for 40 minutes.
Students also have their own Suneung customs. For example, students hand out warm drinks and snacks in front of the testing site for those who haven’t eaten breakfast. In addition, they cheer the test takers on with supportive signs and props.
Suneung is such an important day in Korea. You can find items that wish them good luck on the streets, such as yeot (Korean candy) and chapssaltteok (sweet rice cakes). Don’t be too surprised to experience these things on your first Suneung day!
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