[2023 CSAT] Warm Hugs and Calm Entry... Elementary Students' Cardboard Support Draws Attention

In Front of Gyeongbok High School, Disappeared CSAT Cheers... First Entry at 6:26 AM
In Front of Yeouido Girls' High School, Three Nearby Elementary Students Cheer for Older Siblings
Parents Who Finished Seeing Off Move to Church for Earnest Prayers

On the 17th, the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, a test-taker is receiving support from their parents in front of Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo, Sehee Jang, Gyumin Oh] "Is this the place we came to yesterday?" "Yes, I’ll do my best. Mom."

On the morning of November 17, 2023, the day of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), around 7 a.m., in front of Gyeongbok High School, the first test site of the 15th district under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, a calm atmosphere prevailed as examinees arrived one after another. Despite this being the third CSAT amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no cheering squads wishing success for the seniors’ exams.

Instead, parents’ vehicles carrying examinees filled the area in front of the school gate. Examinees got out of the cars wearing coats or light padded jackets with scarves. One examinee hugged and greeted her mother and father before entering the test site with a tense expression. Starting with the first examinee at 6:26 a.m. and continuing until 8:07 a.m. when an examinee carrying a blue lunch bag arrived, all examinees entered the site without any incidents.

Kim Hoon-sik (53), a parent who greeted his son in front of the school gate, said, "We didn’t prepare anything special, but since he did his best, I hope he doesn’t make any mistakes," adding, "Now, I just want to pray for good results."

On the 17th, the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, a test taker is heading to the examination hall at Yeouido Girls' High School in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, receiving cheers from elementary school students. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

At the same time, a similar atmosphere was observed in front of Yeouido Girls’ High School, the 14th test site of the 13th district under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Entry of general vehicles except for examinees was restricted at the alley entrance near the school gate.

Although there were no cheering events by juniors, three elementary school students from the nearby area held handmade cheering signs to encourage their older sisters and brothers. They shouted "CSAT fighting!" to each examinee entering the test site and handed out snacks such as computer markers and chocolates.

The first examinee arrived here early at 6:24 a.m. Some arrived on foot, while others came in their parents’ vehicles. A parent who brought their child said, "I hope they take the test with a relaxed mind without feeling pressured by their grades," and added, "I plan to spend the whole day praying at the temple I usually visit." Entry was completed around 8:09 a.m. with the arrival of a female examinee in a volunteer patrol vehicle.

Since the CSAT is a test they have prepared for 12 years, examinees said they would do their best but also hoped it would be over quickly. Kim Jun-seok (19) smiled and said, "I trust what I have studied so far and will try to perform to the best of my ability, but even if I don’t do well, I won’t be discouraged." Lee Yong-jin (19) also said, "I plan to do as I usually do," adding, "My mother told me to do as usual when I left home, and I hope to get into the university I’m aiming for."

On the 17th, the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, a test taker is heading to the examination hall at Yeouido Girls' High School in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, receiving support from their family. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Some examinees were already looking forward to their free time after the test. Lee Joon-kyung (19) said, "I will take the test by bringing out the skills I have developed so far, and after it’s over, I want to go on a trip." Park Hyun-jung (19) said, "After the test, I want to spend a lot of time with my friends and family."

After all examinees entered the test sites, many parents moved to religious facilities such as cathedrals and churches. Around 9:15 a.m., about ten parents of examinees were praying at the ‘prayer place’ outside Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul, hoping their children would safely complete the exam.

Some were seen holding their phones tightly, which had photos of their sons as the wallpaper, while praying. Parents held hands and lit candles as they prayed. They took pictures of each other to leave ‘prayer proof shots.’

On the 17th, the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, parents of examinees visiting Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul, are praying earnestly. Photo by Jang Sehee jangsay@

Kim Yeon-hee (46), a parent of a high school senior, said, "I came to pray because I want my child to get into the university they really want," adding, "Today, I especially lit a candle and prayed earnestly." Kim Myung-min (50), who came to support his daughter retaking the exam, said, "I felt heartbroken seeing my child so nervous that she couldn’t sleep until dawn the day before," and added, "I came to the cathedral from early morning hoping that if parents pray earnestly, their wishes will come true."

Jung Geum-ran (21), who came to support her younger sibling, said, "I came to a special prayer place today, different from usual, hoping my sibling taking the CSAT will get good grades," adding, "I believe good results will come as much as they have worked hard."

About 50 grandparents, parents, and relatives of examinees attended the cathedral service at 10 a.m. A Myeongdong Cathedral official said, "Although we don’t have an exact count, the number of attendees on CSAT day tends to be two to three times higher than usual."