SDLC Cultural Post #7

[June Choi]

Although I have never taken the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT or Suneung/수능), I have heard the horrors of it multiple times from my peers back in Korean. It is a standardized test required for entry into South Korean universities and is offered every November, mostly for senior high school students. The Suneung test is what majorly determines which university a student will enter, and thus high school students in Korea study countless hours to prepare for the big day. Oftentimes, the rest of the city revolves around the test day as to make sure that students make it to the test site in time and are not distracted during the test itself. For example, stock markets open later than usual, more buses and subways are set out, and planes cannot take off or land during testing time to minimize noise. Additionally, police officers escort students to the test site and families support their daughters or sons taking the test by cheering them on outside of the test site. The test material is largely based on nationally standardized textbooks and require intensive thinking skills. There are numerous tutoring academies (most of which are rather expensive) and preparation workbooks available for students. It is common for students to pull all-nighters studying for the test and also for them to study beginning sophomore year, if not earlier. I thought it was interesting because it is similar to the SAT’s in the US but on a more intense level. They both test students’ knowledge and critical thinking skills in order to place a number on their intelligence, and this number greatly affects their entry into specific colleges. However, the Korean Suneung is different from the SAT’s because it is common for students to retake the test a few times if they do not place into the college of their choice. However, students are required to wait a full year until retaking it, and thus their entry into college gets delayed more and more. Overall, I am glad that I did not have to take the Suneung and sympathize for those who do.