College Entrance Exams

[Anchor Lead]

The nationwide college entrance exam, which was delayed one week due to the earthquake in Pohang, was held on Thursday. We captured how students and parents were feeling on the day before the crucial exam.

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Parents here bow deeply with hopeful wishes for their children. A day before the College Scholastic Ability Test, this temple is filled with parents praying for their children to do well on the college entrance exam. The test was delayed due to the earthquake last week so they are particularly praying for nothing major to happen during the exam.

[Soundbite] Woo Chun-ha(Seoul Resident) : "The earthquake pained our kids so I pray that won't happen again. I just hope a quake never occurs in Korea."

Nationwide test sites were rather quiet on Wednesday though students were called to gather on the day before the exam. Students sporadically showed up to check on their changed test rooms but the overall mood was very calm.

[Soundbite] Lee Won-jun(Student) : "Aftershocks could happen. I hope the test doesn't get delayed again."

For this year's CSAT, smart gadgets including smartphones are strictly prohibited from the test site. This includes smart watches and smart bands as well while only analog watches are allowed. Last year, 85 test takers who possessed these types of electronic devices had their test scores nullified. The government is closely cooperating with the weather agency, local education boards and provincial authorities against any contingencies such as aftershocks that may affect the smooth operation of the exam. It will also set up direct hotlines with the police and fire service.