The Upcoming Suneung Exam: How Students Should Manage Their Condition

[Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] With the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) approaching on the 17th, it is necessary for test takers and their families to be aware of and practice several precautions to manage their condition.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that the weekly average of new COVID-19 cases has risen by 27.5% to 42,000 per day compared to the previous week. The Ministry of Education has switched classes to remote learning at over 2,300 high schools nationwide since last Monday to prevent harm to students caused by COVID-19 infections.

As COVID-19 is resurging, test takers must strictly adhere to personal preventive measures in daily life, such as wearing masks and practicing hand hygiene. They should avoid entering crowded, enclosed, and close-contact (3C) facilities and minimize external contact as much as possible.

If symptoms suspected of COVID-19, such as fever or cough, appear, they should immediately visit a nearby medical institution for testing to confirm infection status.

If notified of a positive diagnosis or quarantine, they must promptly report to the local city or provincial education office to be assigned a separate test site. Mask-wearing standards vary depending on the type of CSAT test site, but it is recommended to wear a mask equivalent to or higher than KF94.

Since influenza is also prevalent alongside COVID-19, if a test taker catches the flu or a cold before the exam, it is better to seek medical treatment immediately rather than postponing it until after the exam.

However, some prescribed cold medicines may contain ingredients such as antihistamines that cause drowsiness, so it is important to request in advance during the consultation to exclude any medications that might affect exam performance.

Some test takers experience prolonged tension and complain of unexplained abdominal pain or frequent diarrhea requiring bathroom visits.

Due to exam preparation, immunity may decrease, making gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, indigestion, and abdominal pain more likely. They should avoid stimulating and cold foods like carbonated drinks and ice cream and eat easily digestible foods from their usual diet.

To protect the body from cold weather, it is important to consume warm foods and avoid overeating.

As the exam approaches, study time at the desk increases, and some test takers may complain of joint pain in the neck or back.

Ignoring persistent pain can affect CSAT performance, so treatment should be sought if the pain is severe.

It is advisable to maintain proper posture by sitting upright with a straight back and neck while studying, and to engage in walking or stretching outdoors for at least 20 minutes a day to help regulate condition.

On the CSAT day, during lunch, test takers should install the paper dividers provided at the test site on their desks and eat their personal packed lunch and drink water without sharing food or eating together with others.

They should also refrain from talking and ensure their face does not extend beyond the divider when removing masks to eat.

Hwang Hye-rim, director of the Comprehensive Health Screening Center at Daedong Hospital, advised, “To ensure a safe environment for taking the CSAT, test takers and their families should follow quarantine rules. In the final days before the exam, adjusting daily routines according to the CSAT schedule is essential to maintain optimal condition on exam day.”

Since the brain becomes fully active about two hours after waking, it is recommended to wake up around 6:00 to 6:30 a.m. to match the actual CSAT start time of 8:40 a.m., and to go to bed before midnight to get at least six hours of sleep.

It is better to avoid naps or keep them short, around 20 minutes, if necessary.

On exam day, it is better to wear several thin layers rather than thick clothes, and during breaks, instead of reviewing incorrect answers, test takers should visit the restroom, do stretching to relieve tension, and mentally prepare for the next test.

Physical health is important, but emotional stability is equally crucial. As the CSAT approaches, anxiety and stress about the exam may cause some to underperform or experience symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and decreased concentration due to CSAT-related stress.

To overcome these issues, maintaining positive thoughts and confidence, getting adequate sleep and nutrition, and receiving hopeful encouragement and praise from family and those around them are essential.

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