look news india
News India Live, Digital Desk: When we talk about tough exams in India like JEE for engineering or NEET for medical, we think what could be tougher than this. But there is one country in the world where there is such an examination for admission to the university, in front of which even these examinations may seem easy. This examination is so important and stressful that on that day the heartbeats of the entire country stop.
We are talking about South Korea’s ‘College Scholastic Ability Test’ (CSAT), which is also known as ‘Suneung’. It is considered to be one of the longest and toughest university entrance examinations in the world.
8 hours, 6 subjects and the future of millions of students
This is not a typical 2-3 hour exam. CSAT is a marathon exam that starts at 8:40 in the morning and ends at 5:45 in the evening, i.e. it lasts for more than 8 hours. Students get time for lunch and short breaks in between. In this single day, students have to take tests in 6 different subjects, which include Korean language, mathematics, English, Korean history, social science/science and another foreign language.
The score of this one exam decides whether the student will get admission in the top university of the country or not. His entire career and future is at stake on this score.
When the whole country stops for an exam
You can guess the importance of this examination from the fact that on the day CSAT is held, there is an atmosphere like an undeclared strike in South Korea.
- Offices open late: In government offices and many private companies, work starts late by 1-2 hours, so that there is no traffic jam on the roads and students can reach the examination center on time.
- Airplanes are stopped: During the exam, during the Listening section of English subject, take-off and landing of airplanes is banned across the country for about 30-35 minutes, so that the noise does not distract the attention of the students.
- Police becomes helpful: If a student is late, police vehicles and motorcycles are deployed to escort him to the examination centre.
- Stock market delay: For the convenience of students, the country’s stock market also opens one hour late.
- Round of prayers: On the day of examination, parents visit temples and churches to pray for the good future of their children. Junior students cheer for their seniors and wish them all the best.
This exam is not just for one student but for his entire family. Getting admission in a good university in South Korea is considered the biggest measure of success. Because of this, there is a lot of social and mental pressure on students. This day is the result of their 12 years of hard work, and hence the entire country is engaged in ensuring that the students do not face any problem in taking the examination.
This test is not only of knowledge but also of the patience, tolerance and mental strength of the students, for which the entire country is seen standing together.
