South Korea’s Quiet Test Day
What’s About 595,000 Nervous Students?
On Thursday, South Korea fell silent compared to a library with a couple of kids doing math homework on the floor, as nearly half‑a‑million students tackled the country’s biggest academic showdown. This nine‑hour marathon sits smack at the top of a notoriously demanding school rhythm, and the results can shape everything from the college you’ll attend to the job you’ll land — even who you’ll end up marrying.
Moon Jae‑in’s Workout Motivator
President Moon Jae‑in, who was on a Singapore trip checking out regional summits, sent a heartfelt Good Luck swipe on Facebook. “You’ve worked hard for years, let’s make that effort pay off,” he reminded, urging students to “believe in yourselves and showcase all that skill.”
Nationwide “No‑Disturb” Protocol
To keep the test‑takers distraction‑free, the whole country went on a concerted “Mute” mode:
- Traffic Time‑Shift: Offices, big companies, and even the Stock Market kicked off an hour later to smooth out rush lanes.
- Police-Powered Fast‑Pass: Police cars and motorbikes rolled out to ferry traffic‑trapped students straight to exam venues.
- Airplane Hush‑Up: For 25 minutes before the test began, all flight takeoffs and landings were pushed back. Planes had to climb at least 3,000 metres (10,000 ft) during the test, while 134 flights were shuffled around because of the scheduling hassle.
- No Electronics Policy: Devices are off the table and students can’t leave school grounds until the exam is over to curb cheating attempts.
- Mask‑Friendly Testing: Amid a persistent “bad” dust‑pollution situation, students are allowed to wear face masks during the examination.
Will They Let Students Bail?
No. They’re expected to stay on campus until the final bell rings, meaning no afternoon snack fives or quick video‑chat breaks.
When The Results Drop
The outcomes of this rigor‑intended test will be announced on December 5. Everyone’s hungry for that huge twist that might open doors to the next stage of their lives.
In short, South Korea’s exam day turned into a silent super‑high‑school operation, juggling traffic, flights, and tech to give these future scholars the best shot at a bright future.
