Government Strongly Considers Postponing College Entrance Exam by 1-2 Weeks Due to COVID-19 (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads, the government is reportedly considering postponing the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) by 1 to 2 weeks.

On the 23rd, according to the government and the Blue House, the government is deliberating three options for the CSAT date: the originally scheduled November 19, one week later on November 26, or two weeks later on December 3. Within the government, the tendency is leaning more towards postponing the CSAT by 1 to 2 weeks rather than holding it as originally planned.

This is because voices have emerged pointing out that high school seniors (Grade 12 students) suffer more disadvantages than repeat test-takers due to the delayed school opening caused by COVID-19.

Unlike repeat test-takers who focus solely on preparing for the CSAT, high school seniors face confusion due to disruptions in the academic schedule, and if the second semester midterm exam schedule is also consecutively affected, the burden increases, resulting in greater disadvantages.

Moreover, since the school opening has already been delayed by more than a month, there are opinions that postponing the CSAT would not cause significant problems.

The government plans to make a final decision soon after conducting practical reviews and comprehensive discussions.

Meanwhile, since its introduction in 1993 (for the 1994 academic year), the CSAT has been postponed three times: in 2005 when the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit was held in Busan, in 2010 when the Group of Twenty (G20) summit was held in Seoul, and in 2017 due to the Pohang earthquake.