Public Recruitment Exam Indefinitely Postponed... Anxious Public Service Exam Candidates Facing Schedule Disruptions

Temporary Postponement of Public Recruitment Written Exam Leaves 1-Year Preparation Schedule Indefinitely on Hold
Library Closure Forces Escape to Cafes
"Where Can We Study for the Exam?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "It's an exam I've been preparing for a year... If it's postponed, I have no idea where I should study next."

Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), civil service recruitment exams are being postponed one after another, deepening the concerns of 'Gongsijok' (civil service exam candidates). Although it is difficult to object to the schedule changes, disruptions in exam preparation are inevitable. Gongsijok usually prepare by planning their schedules several months to a year in advance due to fierce competition, but they worry that sudden changes in the schedule will disrupt their strategies.

Park (27), who has been dedicated to the Grade 5 civil service open competitive exam for over four years, said, "Hearing that the schedule is changing just days before the first written exam threw my schedule into chaos and left me feeling hopeless," adding, "The postponement of the first exam also raises anxiety because we don't know how the schedule for the second written exam will change." Another examinee, Kim (24), also said, "Since there is no clear information about when the exam will be held, it is difficult to reorganize my study schedule."

On the 3rd, the Ministry of Personnel Management announced the tentative postponement of the 2020 national civil service Grade 9 open competitive written exam, which was scheduled for the 28th of this month. A total of 185,203 candidates nationwide registered for the Grade 9 open competitive written exam. On the same day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government postponed the Seoul civil service written exam, originally scheduled for the 21st, to sometime in April. On the 24th of last month, the first written exam for the Grade 5 civil service open competitive exam and diplomatic candidate selection, as well as the written exam for regional talent Grade 7 trainee staff selection, were postponed just four days before the exam date.

Along with the exam postponements, the lack of suitable study locations is also increasing the anxiety of Gongsijok. The 22 libraries and lifelong learning centers under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education have been closed since the 21st of last month to prevent COVID-19 infection. Most university libraries have also recently suspended operations and are only providing lending services, following requests to refrain from using multi-use facilities. Examinee Yoon Seok-won (25) said, "Some friends study in cafes since university libraries are closed, but I avoid contact with many people and have no choice but to stay at home," adding, "Studying in an environment different from usual makes it hard to concentrate, so preparing for the exam is very difficult."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.