"Planes Can't Fly"…Foreign Media Report on the Korean Suneung Exam Scene

"Most Important Exam for Korean Students"
"Admission to Prestigious Universities Essential for Employment at Large Corporations"

The U.S. economic media outlet Bloomberg has focused on the scene of South Korea's 2024 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). It reported the phenomenon where public transportation, flights, the stock market, and even military training are delayed every year on the CSAT day, pointing out that the CSAT is a major cause of enormous private education expenses.

On the 15th (local time), Bloomberg published an article titled "South Korea Preparing for the Annual Entrance Exam Shutdown." In the article, the media described the CSAT as "the most important exam for students nationwide."

On the morning of the 16th, the day of the CSAT, examinees are waiting for the exam start time at the testing site of Gyeongsin Girls' High School in Buk-gu, Gwangju.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

It added, "South Korea is a country where academic success is paramount," and "On Thursday, the CSAT day, many regions in South Korea come to a halt."

Bloomberg reported that about 500,000 test-takers travel to exam sites, and to accommodate them, many companies delay their start times on the exam day, and the stock and foreign exchange markets open one hour later.

It also stated, "Trains and vehicles passing near the exam sites must operate slowly and refrain from using horns," and "During the English listening test, aircraft takeoffs and landings are suspended for 35 minutes." It added that military training by the South Korean armed forces, which are on alert against North Korea, is also halted on this day.

The media explained, "Admission to prestigious universities in South Korea is considered an essential pathway to employment in large corporations," which is why the annual CSAT is such an important event.

It also reported on the reality of soaring private education expenses due to the CSAT.

Bloomberg explained, "In 2022, South Korea's household spending on private education increased by 11% compared to the previous year, reaching 26 trillion won," adding, "This accounts for more than 20% of household expenditures. The CSAT is known for presenting 'killer questions' that are not taught in textbooks, leading many families to send their children to private academies to prepare."

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