"Wishing for the Fruits of Hard Work"... Calm Support and Encouragement at CSAT Test Sites

Teachers and Parents Prepare Hot Packs and Snacks
Superintendent and Students Join in Cheering for Examinees

On the morning of the 13th, examinees are cheering for other examinees in front of the main gate of Test Site 21, set up at Seoseok High School in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

"Good luck on the CSAT! I hope all your hard work shines today."

On the morning of the 13th, the day of the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test, Test Site 21 was set up at Seoseok High School in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju.

In the early dawn, in front of the dimly lit school gate, teachers and students held a cheering event for the test takers. As examinees gathered, they shouted, "Good luck on the CSAT!" and handed out hot packs and snacks.

With the morning low temperature being 1 to 4 degrees higher than the seasonal average and no sign of the usual "CSAT cold wave," the test takers' outfits ranged from light jackets to thick padded coats. The examinees entered the test site with tense expressions as they received cheers.

In front of the school, a line of cars brought by parents to see off their children formed a procession. Parents handed over lunch boxes and offered words of encouragement such as "I believe in you, son," "Stay calm and don't be nervous," and "Don't forget your admission ticket," sharing hugs as well.

On the morning of the 13th, a parent is watching over a test taker in front of the main gate of Test Site 21, set up at Seoseok High School in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

The parents appeared even more earnest than the test takers themselves. One parent was seen clasping their hands in prayer while watching their child enter the test site holding an admission ticket. Another parent could not leave even after the entry time had passed, standing outside the school gate for quite some time.

Shin Seungmin, a teacher at Gwangdeok High School, said, "As a homeroom teacher, I wanted to come and cheer for my students. I hope the students who have studied so hard can fully demonstrate their abilities on this CSAT."

Park, a 47-year-old parent, said, "As I watched my son struggle while preparing for the CSAT, it was hard for me to walk away as a parent. I am proud of my son for always doing his best. I hope he finishes the exam safely, thinking of it as a new beginning."

In front of the test site, there were also unusual scenes, such as the Superintendent of Education of Gwangju and examinees cheering for other examinees.

Lee Jeongseon, Superintendent of Education of Gwangju, also joined in the cheering, holding a sign that read, "Cheering for the shining students of Gwangju." In front of the main gate, four third-year students from Daedong High School cheered on other examinees, shouting, "Good luck on the CSAT!"

Min Kyungrok, an 18-year-old examinee, said, "Many of my friends from the same school are taking the CSAT here, and seeing other examinees looking nervous made me want to join the cheering to give them strength."

On the morning of the 13th, a test-taker is getting out of a police car at Test Site 21, set up at Seoseok High School in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

Some test takers arrived at the test site in police cars. At around 7:51 a.m., police officers who brought a student from Seogang High School opened the back door and offered a brief word of encouragement, saying, "Do well on the CSAT." At about 8:05 a.m., as the entry time was approaching, another police car arrived with its siren on, hurriedly letting a test taker inside.

In Gwangju, 17,731 examinees are taking the CSAT at 40 test sites on this day, while in Jeonnam, 14,952 examinees are taking the test at 46 sites.

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