[2022 CSAT] Calm Exam Halls... Silent Yet 'Passionate Support'

No More Loud Drumming and Cheers at Exam Sites
Students and Parents Greet Calmly
"Hope Results Reflect Their Efforts"

On the 18th, when the 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test was held, examinees were making final checks before the exam at the 20th testing site of the 15th testing district in Ewha Girls' Foreign Language High School, Jung-gu, Seoul.
/2021.11.18/Photo by Joint Press Corps

"Watch the exam with peace of mind. Our son, fighting!"

At 7 a.m. on the 3rd, in front of Banpo High School in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Parents bidding farewell to their children heading to the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) exam site expressed trembling voices and waited anxiously. Just like last year, there was no noisy cheering due to COVID-19, but the quiet farewells from families and friends were filled with warmth. Parents who hugged their children tightly while cheering earnestly hoped above all that their children could take the exam with peace of mind. Shin Seong-hye (48), who came to see off her son retaking the exam, said, "I want him to rest well after the exam more than anything," and added, "Regardless of the results, I hope he can enjoy playing the games he wanted to play as much as he wants."

At the same time, in front of Dongseong High School in Jongno-gu, examinees began entering the exam site one after another. A mother comforting her grumbling son gazed endlessly at his back as he entered the main gate. Next to examinees who came in groups of three to five with lunch boxes and friends, there were parents clasping their hands tightly and praying earnestly. Parent Lee (51) said, "Two children born in consecutive years are both taking the CSAT this year," and added, "Last year, they were very nervous, but I hope they take the exam safely this year."

On the 18th, the day of the College Scholastic Ability Test, a test-taker is embracing his mother at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Although there were no loud chants, the spirit of cheering for the examinees was even more passionate. Choi Yoo-jin (20), who came to support her friend at Ewha Girls' Foreign Language High School in Jung-gu, wore a tiger T-shirt and brought snacks to wish her friend, who is retaking the exam, to do well with the energy of a tiger. Choi said, "Because of COVID-19, my friend has been feeling depressed and worried about the exam, so I prepared this to make her smile at least for the last time," and added, "After the CSAT, we plan to eat and hang out together."

In front of Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, a parent even lent correction tape to another examinee who forgot to bring it. Yang Mi-ri (51) said, "I felt sorry for the other child who seemed to be in trouble, so I bought it for her because it didn't feel like someone else's problem," and smiled, saying, "I believe my child will do well if she takes the exam as usual."

On the 18th, the day of the College Scholastic Ability Test, a test-taker is being transported in a police car at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

From around 8 a.m., 10 minutes before the entrance deadline, the area in front of the exam sites began to get busy. Examinees who were walking leisurely started running in following the instructions of the guides. In front of Banpo High School in Seocho-gu, a taxi escorted by a police motorcycle arrived at the main gate. Inside the taxi were an examinee who forgot to bring the admission ticket and had gone back home to get it, and the mother. They expressed repeated thanks to the traffic police officers for arriving safely on time. A similar situation occurred in front of Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu. Behind examinees running at full speed, volunteers on motorcycles and examinees arriving on police motorcycles came in hurriedly. After the main gate closed and the noisy crowd quieted down, the parents' hopes for their children to take the exam safely continued. Despite the anxious exam preparations due to COVID-19, they earnestly wished that the children who overcame these difficulties would achieve the results they desire. Parent Shin Young-il (62) said, "They must have been tired from studying for a long time, so I hope they get good results," and added, "Above all, I hope they grow into children who are considerate of others and have good character."

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