[Report] "Thank You So Much" Disabled Examinees' CSAT... Parents Tearfully Show Support

Family Members Hesitate in Front of Main Gate, Finally Show Tears
Parents Say "Proud" "Hope for Good Results"
Second Suneung Amid COVID-19... Calm Without Cheerleading
692 Disabled Students Nationwide Take Exam... 4 Test Sites Operated in Seoul

On the morning of the 18th, when the 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test was held, Seoul Gyeongun School. Test takers and parents are entering the examination hall.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] "I hope good results come out as much as the effort put in."

The 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) began simultaneously on the morning of the 18th. At Gyeongun School in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a test site prepared for disabled examinees, students and parents arrived early to take the exam. To prepare for any unforeseen situations, 5 to 6 police officers were stationed in front of the school gate.

Because the exam was held amid the COVID-19 situation, the area in front of the test site was quiet, similar to last year. In a calm atmosphere, examinees shared final hugs or greetings with their families before entering the test hall. Some parents stood for a long time watching their children’s backs after they entered the exam room. One parent shouted loudly, "Fighting!" toward their child entering the test site.

On the 18th, the day of the 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test, the main gate of Gyeongun School in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

Ms. Lee (52), who accompanied her child to the test site entrance, said, "Preparing for the exam during the COVID situation was not easy. But since we did our best, I believe good results will come." She added, "Parents all feel the same. Above all, I hope they grow into people who can contribute to society in good health."

Mr. Seok (35), an examinee who drove himself to the test site despite having difficulty walking, said, "There were many challenges while preparing for the exam. Because of my physical difficulties, time was always insufficient, which was hard." He continued, "Still, if there are people who want to take the CSAT, I hope they don’t give up and keep challenging themselves."

A guardian who saw off their grandchild taking the exam lingered in front of the school gate even after the grandchild entered the test hall and eventually showed tears. Mr. Park (70) said, "My grandchild has a severe disability. They studied hard to get this far, and regardless of the results, I am proud." He encouraged, "I hope good results come, but even if not, I hope they don’t get discouraged."

An examinee who arrived about 10 minutes before the entrance deadline shouted, "I want to do well," and ran into the exam hall.

On the 18th, the day of the 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees enter Gyeongun School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, there are a total of four CSAT test sites for disabled students in Seoul. Along with Gyeongun School, Seoul School for the Blind, Seoul School for the Deaf, and Yeouido Middle School provide convenience for disabled examinees. Among these, Gyeongun School hosts exams for students with severe disabilities.

For severely visually impaired examinees, braille test papers and audio evaluation materials (files for screen reading programs) are provided, and a braille information terminal with a calculation function is available for the second period math section. The exam time is extended by 1.7 times compared to the general test time.

For mildly visually impaired and those with brain lesions or motor disabilities, the exam time is extended by 1.5 times. Mildly visually impaired examinees receive reduced or enlarged test papers according to their requests.

Severely hearing-impaired examinees replace the listening evaluation with a written test, and their exam time is the same as general examinees. Considering the extended time, the exam ends at 9:58 PM.

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, a total of 509,821 candidates applied for the 2022 CSAT, an increase of 16,387 from last year. Among them, 692 were disabled examinees.

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