The CSAT Exam Is Over... But Quarantine Now Enters 'Susi' Phase

Varying Quarantine Capabilities by University... 600,000 Expected to Participate in Essays and Interviews
Difficulty Attending if Confirmed Positive... Most Admission Briefings Also Held Online

On the 4th, the day after the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees are waiting to enter the essay test site at Soongsil University in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Jo In-kyung and Lee Hyun-joo] As universities begin their own admission schedules following the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), concerns are growing over the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) triggered by university admissions.

According to health authorities on the 4th, they have once again urged strengthening quarantine measures to prevent examinees from becoming vectors of COVID-19 spread through university-specific exams starting immediately. There is also concern that social distancing may not be properly observed if examinees, whose tension has eased after the CSAT, meet with friends or acquaintances.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters is maintaining close cooperation among related agencies in preparation for confirmed cases among examinees and supervisors by the 5th.

Future admission schedules will be conducted independently by each university. This differs from the CSAT, which was tightly controlled by the government, local governments, the Ministry of Education, and education offices. The quarantine capabilities of each university vary widely. The Ministry of Education expects about 600,000 examinees to participate in university-specific exams such as essay tests and interviews.

Universities have also entered an emergency system to strengthen quarantine and manage the influx of examinees from all over the country. Many universities are restricting parental access to campuses and prohibiting examinees from consuming snacks, implementing stricter precautions than in previous years.

Starting with Korea University interviews and Soongsil University essay exams on the 4th, over the weekend on the 5th and 6th, essay and interview schedules are planned at Konkuk University, Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University. On the 12th and 13th, essay exams are scheduled at Ewha Womans University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Most universities are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, so concerns about COVID-19 infection arise not only at test sites but also during travel via public transportation from various regions to the metropolitan area.

If examinees test positive for COVID-19, they will effectively be unable to take essay or interview exams. Only non-face-to-face interviews are possible. Currently, Korea University has adopted a video upload method for interviews. However, Seoul National University conducts face-to-face interviews, and Yonsei University relies on on-site recordings, so confirmed positive examinees are expected to have difficulty participating at these universities.

Every year, large-scale academy admission briefings held in auditoriums or gymnasiums immediately after the CSAT will mostly be conducted online this year. For example, the Jongno Academy’s online-offline briefing held this afternoon via live broadcast will allow only 30 parents to attend on-site. Admission consulting based on CSAT provisional scores will also be replaced entirely by online counseling this year.

The government and Seoul city view quarantine management as crucial throughout all admission schedules following the CSAT, including early admissions. They are strengthening quarantine responses at cafes near universities, test sites, and other facilities frequently visited by students until the 22nd of this month, when university-specific exams peak. Acting Mayor of Seoul, Seo Jeong-hyeop, said, "Since examinees may gather at various facilities in a sense of liberation after the CSAT, quarantine management is being strictly enforced at karaoke rooms, PC rooms, and movie theaters. We have designated 250 locations with high foot traffic, including university areas, Hongdae, and Gangnam, as special inspection targets to intensify monitoring."

The Ministry of Education is also ensuring that university-specific exams comply with CSAT quarantine principles by separating test rooms. Currently, 348 test rooms have been secured for self-quarantined examinees, with 113 located in the metropolitan area. Universities plan to prepare separate test rooms on exam days for examinees showing symptoms such as fever.