[2023 CSAT] "Don't be nervous, do your best!" ... Calm cheers pour into the exam hall

On the morning of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, families are cheering for the test takers entering Changwon Munseong High School, Test Site No. 08 in District No. 88 (Changwon), Gyeongnam Office of Education. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] "It's okay. Don't be nervous and do well!"

Although the same enthusiasm as before COVID-19 was not present, a calm and warm cheer was heard on the morning of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test.

On the morning of the 17th, examinees and their families continued to arrive at Changwon Munseong High School, Test Site 08, District 88 (Changwon) of the Gyeongnam Office of Education.

Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education Park Jong-hoon (left) encouraged a test-taker by high-fiving as they entered the exam hall. / Photo by Ryeong Lee

Parents looked at their children entering the exam building and encouraged them loudly, sometimes making light jokes to ease their tension.

Staff members standing at the entrance, wearing protective suits, encouraged them through face shields, saying, "You will do well, stay strong."

Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Gyeongnam Education Office, who has served as a teacher here for 20 years, also greeted examinees by high-fiving them at the entrance.

A test taker is skimming through a reference book at the CSAT testing site of Changwon Munseong High School in Gyeongnam. / Photo by Ryeong Lee ryeong@

By 8:10 a.m., seating was completed, and examinees each took out their admission tickets, IDs, writing utensils, watches, and other necessary items, preparing for the final moments.

They exhaled deeply to release tension, opened notebooks, or flipped through reference books, consolidating knowledge in their minds.

A parent praying while looking at the school said, "My child used to be quite playful, but today he was quiet," adding, "I hope he takes the exam calmly as usual without being nervous."

Another parent said, "Thinking that my child is taking the exam there makes me restless," and added, "I will wait and pray until my child comes out."

A university student said, "Although the CSAT is not everything in life, it is an important part of choosing the university you will attend. But even if the results are unsatisfactory, I hope they don't get discouraged," adding, "There are many ways to study what you want, such as retaking the exam, transferring, or transferring schools, and you don't necessarily have to get a job related to your major, so I hope they stay strong no matter the situation."

On this day, the number of examinees taking the CSAT in Gyeongnam Province was 30,139, and the number taking the exam at Changwon Munseong High School was 262 male examinees.