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High school graduation exam in Korea or Korean version of SAT

Who doesn’t like to have fun? Of course, everyone likes to chill outside instead of studying or working. Especially, when it is a golden fall season and the weather is perfect to stay outside.

But, unfortunately, some people can’t go out and take a rest. I am talking about high school students, who are going to graduate soon.

Seokchon Lake, Seoul

Every year in the mid of November Korean high school students have graduation exams or something like an SAT exam in the US, or a Unified State Exam (USE) in Russia. It is a national exam, which is very important. Because exam scores will decide which university students will go to. And that is very important, because as many of you probably know, there is a strong hierarchy in Korean society, and the rank of University plays a significant role as well. And everyone tries to get admission to the high-ranked University.

I didn’t take the American version of SAT nor the Korean one. So, I can’t tell you about it in detail. But my brother passed USE in Russia, and I have seen some exam samples. Well, I would say USE is much easier than the Korean exam. And, in USE students have a choice, they can choose the subject which they want to take. And exams on each subject can be taken on different days.

Father wishes a piece of good luck to his son before the exam

Today I will share the official info about the graduation exam in Korea.

So, the exam lasts almost a whole day. Of course, there are some breaks between different sections of the exam.

The exam consists of 5 sections:

  • National language (Korean language) — 80 mins
  • Maths — 100 mins
  • English — 70 mins
  • Korean history, Social study/Scientific study/ Profession study — 102 mins
  • Foreign language and Literature — 40 mins

Exam Schedule, 2019

All students have to arrive at the examination place by 8:00AM. The exam itself starts at 8:40AM and finishes at 5:40PM. There is a 30mins break between each session and a 1-hour lunch break.

So, in total it takes about 9 hours. Can you imagine?! Poor students

Students wish good luck to other students

What is happening in Korea during the exams?

Well, in some countries graduation exams don’t such a big role, at least, besides students almost no one will know that it is exam day. BUT, in Korea the situation is different.

Most companies shift the office hours to 10AM, so students won’t face traffic jams. And parents can accompany their children to exam place, or just wish them good luck.

Every year some taxi drivers volunteer to transport students to the exam place. Last year, there were about 2,000 taxi drivers. Also, the police also help students. So, if the student is lost or is late for the exam, he/she can call 119 and the police will help him/her to reach the place ASAP.

Some cafes and shops offer discounts for students who had exams. And that is really cool. At that time I wish I also had an exam…

Every year some issues or funny stories happen during the exam. Last year a taxi driver transported the student to the wrong city. Because the name of 2 cities is very similar and many people have mistaken them (I don’t remember exactly what was the city name, but I will let you know if I call them to mind). The destination between 2 cities is about 60kms, so poor students skipped the exam.

If you want to check the exam tasks, you can find them online.

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Location: Корея

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