College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), one of the toughest examinations in the world, was conducted in South Korea on Thursday. South Korea had made strict security arrangements across the country for the 13-hour test, due to which flight operations and landings were temporarily halted. More than five lakh students took part in this highly prestigious university entrance examination. A total of 554,000 students applied for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) this year, a 6% increase from last year and the highest number since 2018, according to Yonhap News citing the Education Ministry. The results of this examination determine the admission of South Korean students to the country’s top universities. This exam is considered to be the toughest exam for students in South Korea. Flights were stopped during the exam and police were deployed to escort students arriving late to the exam centre.
North Korea fired missile
As a precautionary measure to avoid noise during the listening section of the English exam, all flights and landings were stopped across the country for 35 minutes, from 1:05 pm to 1:40 pm. These flights included both military and civilian flights, with only emergency flights permitted. Flying of drones and light aircraft was also banned. A total of 140 flights—65 domestic and 75 international—had to be rescheduled. Military aircraft were also grounded on the day of CSAT, and defense exercises such as artillery drills and tank operations were postponed.
10,475 police officers and 2,238 patrol vehicles were deployed across the country for traffic control. The opening and closing times of the stock market were also delayed by one hour to reduce morning traffic. Free police cars and motorcycles were deployed to assist students arriving late, and they could be summoned by calling 112. However, students who reached the exam center after 8:10 am were not allowed to take the exam and now they will have to take this exam next year. Due to the huge number of students, 29 additional subway trains were run in Seoul. Government institutions were also asked to start work from 10 am to avoid traffic congestion for students. The examination began at 8:40 am and continued till 5:45 pm across 1,310 examination centres.
What is CSAT?
The CSAT, known as “Sunneung” in Korean, is an annual test that students take to gain admission into top universities. It is held every year on the third Thursday of November. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, students in their final year of high school or students who have graduated from high school can take the CSAT. There are five subjects in this eight-hour examination.
The exam lasts for 13 hours without any interruption
Visually impaired students are given 1.7 times the standard examination duration. This means that if they also choose an additional foreign language section, their exam can be finished by 11:48 pm, making a total of approximately 13 hours. Thus, this examination is considered to be the longest examination in the world. There is no lunch break during the examination. The examination runs without interruption, and students are allowed to leave their seats only to use the toilet.
Those taking four subjects (Korean, Mathematics, English and Korean History) will have to pay a fee of 37,000 won (₹2,240). Those taking five subjects (including science or social science options) will have to pay 42,000 won (₹2,543). Those taking the second foreign language section will have to pay 47,000 won (₹2,846). Korean students must undergo at least three years of rigorous preparation to sit for this challenging exam, which includes more than 10 official mock tests. The answers to the exam will be released on November 25 at 5 pm. Report cards will be available on December 5th.
