"The World's Toughest Exam, Deciding Future Human Relationships: Foreign Media on Korea's 'Suneung'"

BBC Posts Video of Korean High School Seniors Preparing for Exams

BBC reported a video article related to Korea's Suneung exam.
Photo by BBC Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The British BBC described South Korea's 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) as "one of the hardest exams in the world" and introduced the daily lives of three Korean high school senior girls.

On the 18th (local time), BBC posted a 4-minute 54-second video article showing the process of the three students preparing for the CSAT from 100 days before the exam until the day of the test. BBC reported that the CSAT is "the hardest exam in the world," stating, "The CSAT determines not only university admission and careers but also future human relationships."

In the video, one student said, "Korean students spend 12 years of their school life preparing for the CSAT," adding, "Do you know Korea's '10 to 10'? It means being at hagwons from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The hardest part is the repetition of the same daily routine."

She continued, "There are many times when I feel exhausted and want to give up, but chatting casually with friends and eating delicious food helps relieve stress, so I can endure it."

Another student said, "The CSAT and entrance exam education itself make you feel like 'If I fail the CSAT, am I a failure?' or 'Am I a worthless, incapable person?'" but also lamented, "However, the CSAT scores speak for themselves. There is nothing but the CSAT scores."

BBC reported, "South Korean high school students took the grueling 8-hour marathon exam called the CSAT," adding, "They feel considerable pressure because they believe they must do well on the CSAT to secure university placement, jobs, and their future."

Meanwhile, Laura Bicker, BBC's Seoul correspondent, introduced the Korean CSAT by capturing scenes of police vehicles, examinees, and parents gathered in front of the test site on the day of the exam, the 18th.

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