Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education Prepares Operation Measures for '2021 CSAT' Amid COVID-19 Situation

Discussion on Special Disinfection at Test Sites and Limiting the Number of Examinees

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 25th that it will prepare detailed guidance and quarantine measures for the overall implementation of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) to ensure a safe and smooth operation in response to COVID-19, 100 days before the exam.

The CSAT application, scheduled for December 3, will be held from next month 3rd to 18th.

Current students and graduates within Gwangju will apply at their enrolled (alma mater) schools, while applicants from other cities and provinces, those who passed the qualification exam, and those eligible for testing accommodations will apply at the city education office application center.

When applying, applicants must prepare ▲application form (available at the application center) ▲two passport-sized photos (3.5cm width × 4.5cm height) for attachment to the application form ▲receipt of payment for the application fee (paid in cash at the time of application; 37,000 KRW for up to 4 subjects, 42,000 KRW for 5 subjects, 47,000 KRW for 6 subjects) ▲and identification card, and the applicant must apply in person.

Applicants from other cities and provinces, those who passed the qualification exam, and those eligible for testing accommodations need additional documents such as graduation certificates, qualification exam pass certificates, welfare cards, etc., so they must carefully check the required documents for each category before applying.

Proxy applications are limited to high school graduates who are persons with disabilities, inmates, military personnel, hospitalized patients, or overseas residents. This time, COVID-19 self-quarantined individuals and confirmed cases can also have their immediate family members apply on their behalf by submitting a quarantine notice, allowing them to take the CSAT.

COVID-19 response measures for the CSAT include special disinfection of test site schools before and after the exam day, reducing the number of examinees per test room to 24 (from the previous 28), and mandatory mask-wearing during the exam.

In particular, examinees are assigned to different test locations according to their type: ▲general examinees take the test in general test rooms at general test sites ▲symptomatic examinees take the test in separate rooms within general test sites ▲self-quarantined individuals take the test at separate test sites ▲confirmed cases take the test at hospitals or residential treatment centers.

Self-quarantined and confirmed examinees will be notified in advance by health authorities.

Additionally, details such as remote classes before and after the exam day, installation of disinfectant partitions on examinees’ desks, and arrangement of chairs for CSAT supervisors are being discussed by the Ministry of Education, Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, and 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education, with final decisions expected by the end of next month.

This CSAT requires concentrated support from local governments and related organizations to ensure thorough quarantine and a safe testing environment. Also, due to the increase in the number of test rooms, a significant expansion of staff such as supervisors is expected, so active cooperation from middle and high school faculty is requested.

Superintendent Jang Huiguk said, “Since this CSAT will be held amid the COVID-19 situation, we will prioritize the safety and health of examinees and do our best at the education office level to ensure a fair and safe exam. We, the entire Gwangju education family, enthusiastically support the examinees taking the test in Gwangju to achieve their desired results.”

Meanwhile, the detailed implementation plan for the 2021 CSAT has been provided to all high schools and special schools, and information related to application procedures can be found in the announcements section on the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education website.

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