On the 8th, Request to 'Refrain from Taking' the Korean History Proficiency Test...Mixed Reactions from Examinees

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] The National Institute of Korean History (NIKH) requested on the 8th that candidates refrain from taking the 46th Korean History Proficiency Test scheduled for the same day, causing mixed reactions among test applicants.

On the 6th, the NIKH announced on its website and via text messages to test applicants, "Due to the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia), please refrain from taking the test." They also stated that applicants who cancel their registration by 11 p.m. on the 7th will receive a full refund of the test fee.

Originally, the cancellation and refund period ended on the 2nd, and except for refunds due to special reasons, test fees were neither refunded nor allowed to be deferred to the next session.

The NIKH stated, "The test will proceed as scheduled, but those who are confirmed COVID-19 patients or have been in contact with confirmed cases and are under quarantine are prohibited from taking the test. Those under active monitoring, showing suspicious symptoms, or who have visited Hubei Province (湖北) in China will be allowed to take the test only in unavoidable cases such as for civil service recruitment exams, and will be tested at separate locations."

Additionally, all test takers are required to wear masks, and those without masks will be denied entry to the test site. Body temperature will be measured at the entrance, and anyone with a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher will not be allowed to enter the test venue.

Notice to Refrain from Taking the Korean History Proficiency Test / Photo by Korean History Proficiency Test Website (left), Text Message (right)

The NIKH's response has elicited mixed reactions from test applicants.

Applicant A said, "Even though I am anxious, please prioritize the health of examinees who have no choice but to take the test," and demanded that the test be postponed.

Another applicant, B, responded, "If I miss this test, I won't be able to take employment, aptitude, or national exams in the first half of the year. I must take the test no matter what."

Applicant C criticized the NIKH's response as a "delayed reaction." This is because some language tests like TOEIC or HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), which are held around the same time, had already allowed candidates to take the next session early.

However, C pointed out that the Korean History Proficiency Test only announced the "full refund upon cancellation" policy two days before the exam.

Meanwhile, the 46th Korean History Proficiency Test, which began registration on January 7, saw a surge in applicants, causing nationwide test centers to close early.

At that time, the NIKH stated, "We anticipated an increase of nearly 40% compared to the previous year and expanded test centers nationwide as much as possible, but all 52 regional test centers across the country were fully booked."

The surge in applicants was due to the 46th test being the last to apply the existing grading system and cutoff scores. As a result, examinees took it as the "last chance to take the test under the current system," leading to a record high number of applicants.

The Korean History Proficiency Test is administered about five times a year.

To apply for the Grade 5 national civil service and diplomatic candidate selection exams, candidates must meet the standard of "Korean History Proficiency Test Level 2 or higher." It is also a mandatory test for applying to public enterprises and civil service positions.