Seoul: The annual college entrance exam, known as the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), concluded nationwide on Thursday with the highest number of applicants in seven years. This surge is partly attributed to an unusually high birth rate in 2007.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the CSAT is regarded as one of the country's most significant academic milestones. It commenced at 1,310 test centers nationwide at 8:40 a.m. and wrapped up at 5:45 p.m. On exam day, students arrived at their respective centers to the encouragement of juniors, parents, and teachers, while police officers were deployed to assist with transportation logistics. In some instances, officers even delivered lunch boxes to students. Additionally, those residing on small islands traveled to the mainland due to the absence of test centers on islets.
This year's exam saw a total of 554,174 applicants, marking a 6 percent increase from last year and the highest number since 2018, as reported by the education ministry. High school seniors made up 67.1 percent of test-takers, with graduates accounting for 28.9 percent.
In Cheongju, about 110 kilometers south of Seoul, a cheering squad comprised of university students, including 21-year-old Shin Ju-won, offered moral support to the test-takers. "We were cheered on when we took the exam, so we want to repay our juniors," Shin stated, expressing hope for their success.
The competition for top college admissions is anticipated to be intense, exacerbated by the government's recent decision to revert the medical school quota to its previous level of 3,123 seats after a temporary increase last year.
The increase in test-takers can be further attributed to the Golden Pig year of 2007, which saw a notable rise in birth rates, leading to a larger cohort of high school seniors this year.
In Jeonju, about 200 km south of Seoul, a mother named Kang watched her daughter enter the test center, expressing gratitude for her daughter's decade-long dedication to preparing for the exam. "I just want her to perform as usual without aiming too high," Kang remarked.
To accommodate the needs of students during the CSAT, the government implemented various measures. All aircraft takeoffs and landings were halted nationwide for 35 minutes during the English listening portion of the exam to minimize noise. Furthermore, subway services in Seoul were expanded, and stock market hours were adjusted to reduce traffic congestion.
As students emerged from test centers, they displayed a range of emotions, from relief and happiness to regret. Kim Chae-ni, 18, expressed gratitude to her family for their support, while Kim Dong-kwan, a 19-year-old retaking the exam, shared an emotional moment with his mother, feeling relieved that the ordeal was over.
The finalized exam answers will be released at 5 p.m. on November 25, with report cards set to be distributed to test-takers on December 5.