[2023 CSAT] CSAT is over, you did great!

The area in front of Changwon Girls' High School in Gyeongnam is bustling with crowds waiting for students coming out after completing the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test day has come to an end.

According to the Gyeongnam Office of Education, the number of students scheduled to take the first period of the CSAT in the province was 29,838, but 3,339 did not show up, resulting in an absentee rate of 11.19%.

There were 122 COVID-19 positive test takers, of whom 25 were absent, and 97 took the exam at a separate testing site.

As the time approached 4 p.m. on the 17th, when the 4th period Korean History and Inquiry subjects exams were ending, the area in front of Changwon Girls' High School in Gyeongnam began to get crowded.

Families and friends of the test takers stretched their necks, looking beyond the school gate, waiting for those who were taking the exam to come out.

When the school gate opened and after waiting a little longer, admirable faces appeared.

The atmosphere resembled an airport arrival hall, and the eyes of the test takers walking from afar curved into crescent shapes.

Unlike the somewhat calm atmosphere during entry, the front of the school gate welcoming those who finished the exam quickly became lively and noisy.

Parents are welcoming students as they come out after completing the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

A mother holding up a cellphone displaying the phrase “You worked hard, I love you, daughter” and a father trying to get a little higher to see his daughter's face first were among the crowd.

One parent said, “I am so proud of my daughter,” adding, “Regardless of the results, I want to tell her she did well.”

Another parent said, “It must have been so hard to pour out three years of studying in one day,” and added, “Today, I plan to let my child rest well while eating what she likes.”

The faces of the test takers leaving the school gate were varied.

They chatted nonstop while hugging family and friends, saying things like, “I was so nervous I thought my heart would jump out,” “I got confused and changed answers at the last minute; I hope the changes were correct,” and “I can’t take it twice; there’s no retaking in my life.”

Some test takers said it felt like taking a mock exam.

One test taker said, “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought compared to the mock exam,” and added, “I took the exam calmly as usual, so I hope for good results.”

Changwon Jungbu Police Station in Gyeongnam held a coffee truck event for students who took the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) in collaboration with the Youth Guidance Committee and the Youth Policy Participation Group. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

On that day, police officers from Changwon Jungbu Police Station, the Youth Guidance Committee, and the Youth Policy Participation Group held a coffee truck event in front of Changwon Girls' High School.

The coffee truck gave gifts such as hot packs, wet wipes, and pouches, and served coffee and iced tea to 833 students who took the exam at Changwon Girls' High School, Gyeongil High School, and Gyeongil Girls' High School.

A student from the policy advisory group said, “I am happy to give gifts to the seniors who worked hard taking the CSAT,” and added, “We also have to take the CSAT, so I wanted to participate to express my appreciation.”

After the coffee truck event, Changwon Jungbu Police Station will continue youth guidance and protection campaigns around Sangnam-dong, Seongsan-gu.

Shin Ji-young, head of the Women and Youth Division, said, “We prepared the event to encourage the test takers, and since many students might deviate after the CSAT, we are conducting guidance campaigns,” adding, “I hope they absolutely avoid delinquency and misconduct and walk the right path without encountering our police.”