Operation of Special COVID-19 Prevention Period for CSAT Starts Today... Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Recommends Remote Classes for All 3rd-Year High School Students

Due to recent COVID-19 surge, exam date moved up by a week
Approximately 493,000 test takers nationwide
Number of candidates decreased but exam centers increased
All exams invalid if Korean History not taken
Be cautious with 4th period elective subjects

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] From the 19th, two weeks before the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), a 'special quarantine period' will be implemented. This measure is to ensure that the CSAT proceeds as scheduled despite the COVID-19 situation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education recommended that all high schools switch to remote classes for 3rd-year high school students on that day. So far, 67% of high schools in Seoul have implemented remote classes for 3rd-year students. Kang Yeonhong, Director of Educational Policy at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "As the spread of COVID-19 continues in the metropolitan area, we have sent an official letter requesting all schools to switch 3rd-year students to remote classes." Although all high schools are required to switch to remote classes from the 26th, one week before the CSAT, this is a preemptive measure considering the recent infectious disease trends.

Regarding concerns that students might gather at private academies if schools switch to remote classes, Director Kang said, "We plan to include supplementary measures requesting many real-time remote classes." He also added, "Supervisors will be sent to academies to thoroughly investigate whether quarantine rules are being followed." From that day until the 2nd of next month, if a confirmed case occurs within an academy, the academy's name, infection route, and reasons will be disclosed on the Ministry of Education's website.

There are about 493,000 examinees nationwide taking the CSAT on December 3rd. Although this is about 55,000 fewer than last year, the number of test sites has increased by 167 to 1,352. To maintain social distancing, the number of examinees per test room has been reduced, and separate test rooms have been prepared within general test sites for examinees showing COVID-19 symptoms on the day. Additionally, 113 separate test sites will be operated for quarantined examinees who have been ordered to self-isolate. Including 29 hospital and residential treatment center sites for confirmed examinees, the total expands to 1,381.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Examinees confirmed with COVID-19 are required to be hospitalized starting from the 12th. Those with mild symptoms will be sent to residential treatment centers. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, no examinees have yet been admitted to hospitals or centers. Examinees who receive a positive test result must report to the education office. One week before the CSAT, hospitals will identify the expected discharge dates of examinees and share this information with the metropolitan and provincial education offices to finalize the actual examinees. All examinees must wear masks, but if they have underlying health conditions that make this difficult, a plan is being considered to allow mask exemption if they present a negative COVID-19 test and a diagnosis certificate from a general hospital.

There are also changes to this year’s CSAT compared to previous years. If an examinee does not take the Korean History test, all other tests will be invalidated, so caution is required. Also, for the 4th period, examinees must take their selected subjects at the designated times to avoid being caught for cheating. For example, an examinee must not take their second-choice subject during the first-choice subject’s time and must wait instead. Possession of electronic cigarettes will also be treated as cheating.

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