Seoul: Over 550,000 students across the nation participated in the annual College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) on Thursday, marking the largest number of applicants in seven years. This significant increase is partly attributed to the high birth rate in 2007.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the CSAT, regarded as a crucial academic event, commenced at 1,310 test centers nationwide at 8:40 a.m. and concluded at 5:45 p.m. The day witnessed students arriving at their designated centers amidst support from juniors, parents, and teachers. Police officers were deployed nationwide to assist in transporting students, and in some cases, delivering lunch boxes from home. Students from small islands traveled to the mainland as no test centers were available on islets.
A total of 554,174 applicants registered for this year's exam, reflecting an increase of 31,504, or 6 percent, from the previous year, as reported by the education ministry. High school seniors and graduates represent 67.1 percent and 28.9 percent of the total applicants, respectively.
In Cheongju, about 110 kilometers south of Seoul, Shin Ju-won, a 21-year-old student from Chungbuk National University, joined a cheering squad outside a high school. "We were cheered on when we took the exam, so we want to repay our juniors," Shin expressed. "They're probably very nervous, but I hope they do well."
The competition for admission to prestigious colleges is anticipated to be intense due to the large number of test-takers and the government's reversal on a previously planned increase in medical school quotas. Last year, the quota was increased under former President Yoon Suk Yeol's initiative to address a doctor shortage but was subsequently reverted to prior levels.
The rise in test-takers is partly due to those born in 2007, the year of the Golden Pig, now reaching their final year of high school. In Jeonju, 200 km south of Seoul, a mother named Kang expressed gratitude towards her daughter for her decade-long preparation for this exam, hoping she performs as usual without undue pressure.
The CSAT represents the culmination of years of rigorous study for many students, prompting the government to accommodate their needs on exam day. To reduce noise during the English listening section, all aircraft takeoffs and landings were halted from 1:05 p.m. to 1:40 p.m., with airborne aircraft maintaining a minimum altitude of 3 kilometers, excluding emergencies.
In Seoul, subway services were increased by 29 runs, primarily between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., to facilitate timely arrival at test centers. Stock markets opened an hour later than usual, easing morning rush-hour traffic, and will close an hour later than usual.
The final exam answers will be announced at 5 p.m. on Nov. 25, with report cards distributed to test-takers on Dec. 5.