Test-Taking Crowd

[Anchor Lead]

It may have been cold on this year's college entrance exam day but the crowds in front of the test sites were all fired up. Here is a look at the test takers and their families on this year's exam.

[Pkg]

As in previous years, the first ones to arrive at the test site are younger students cheering on their upperclassmen.

[Soundbite] Ha Seung-jun(2nd Grade, High School Student) : "We're cheering on our upper classmen so they can ace the exam."

The time has come for the test takers to enter the classrooms. Snacks passed out by the younger students give a big boost to the test takers' confidence.

[Soundbite] Jeon Geun-won(Test taker) : "I feel better because of their support. I think I will be able to do well on the exam."

The day of the College Scholastic Ability Test is important for fathers as well. This father gives his daughter a big hug and sends a silent message of support to the girl who has worked so hard all these years. This father pats his son on the shoulder before sending him off into the test site, but he can't take his eyes off of his son even after the boy has disappeared into the school building.

[Soundbite] Kim Seon-wu(Parent) : "I want to tell him to relax and just do as he's prepared."

The dashboard cam footage that showed a young boy bowing deeply to his father who gave him a ride to the test site went viral. On an ambulance...or on a delivery motorcycle...or in a police car...these students arriving at the last minute and dashing toward the classrooms make everyone anxious. For the first time in history, two firefighters were stationed at each exam site in preparation for a possible earthquake. Evacuation announcements were made as well.

[Soundbite] "This is in case of a serious earthquake. Crawl under the desk."

Amid the prayers and tears of anxious mothers, the gate opened to let out students relieved of the heavy pressure to return to the warm embraces of their families.