Korea to pause flights, adjust work hours for Nov. 19 college entrance exam

Korea will adjust public transit, work hours and flight schedules on the day of the annual college entrance exam next month to minimize disturbances for test-takers, the Ministry of Education said Tuesday.

The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), known as suneung in Korean, will take place on Nov. 19 for 551,864 students and test-takers at 1,312 test centers across the country, running from 8:40 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

The exam is widely seen as a major life event in Korea, where college admission can heavily influence career prospects and social standing.

To help students reach their test venues on time and prevent traffic congestion, the government will ask public institutions, including government offices, as well as private businesses to have officials and employees report to work after 10 a.m.

Subway services in the greater Seoul area will run more frequently between 6 a.m. and 8:10 a.m., with emergency transport vehicles to be deployed to assist students in need.

To minimize noise during the English listening comprehension section, scheduled from 1:10 p.m. to 1:35 p.m., airplane and helicopter takeoffs and landings will be prohibited during the time frame, while military exercises involving artillery firings and movement of tanks will also be put on hold.

“In order for all test-takers to fully demonstrate their abilities, we will provide full support along with other government branches,” Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said.

Yonhap