The University Exam

Last week, on Thursday,  South Korea held its annual university entrance exam, taken by all 3rd year high schoolers.

Big deal, right?

Right.

Approximately 690,000 3rd year (there is no 4th year) high school students sat for the exam,the su-neung (수넝), the pinnacle of their testing existence.

It is a moment all have been waiting for, dreading, preparing for . . . after all, getting into a good university is crucial (or is seen as being so) for future professional employmnet.

I hate to say it, but I am part of the process, because one of the six or so subject tests on the 9-hour exam is English.

It's an exam that is so important in this test-based society that Korea changes bus and flight schedules, delays the stock market opening, curtails traffic around test centers, etc . . . all in hopes of limiting noise and confusion and thus contributing to a better test-taking atmosphere.

Some second year high school students go and cheer for their seniors before the exam starts, and some mothers are pictured in the news praying for their children's testing fortunes.

There have been reports of attempted cheating and suicides, all due to the massive pressure that the Korean educational system places on the exam.

Thankfully, it's over.

Until next year.