Yellowish Brown, Dark Olive Brown, and Ivory Beige
Education Authorities Keep Colors Confidential to Prevent Cheating
Online Referred to as Lemon or Yellow Colors
The color of the mechanical pencil for this year's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) is reported to be 'Ivory Beige.'
According to the education sector on the 16th, ivory beige mechanical pencils were distributed to test-takers at the 2024 CSAT test sites.
The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE), the organization responsible for the CSAT, and other educational authorities do not disclose the color of the mechanical pencils in advance to prevent cheating. This is because there is a risk of misuse, such as obtaining a similarly colored pencil and attaching a camera.
In fact, a large-scale cheating incident was detected during the 2005 CSAT, and from the following year, most writing instruments were designated as prohibited items. Mechanical pencils and other writing tools are now distributed at the test site on the day of the exam.
However, there are often cases where the color of the CSAT mechanical pencil is revealed online shortly before the exam.
On the 16th, when the 2024 College Scholastic Ability Test was held, examinees were preparing for the exam at Yongsan High School in Seoul. [Photo by Joint Press Corps]
On this day, photos of this year's CSAT mechanical pencil are spreading on major portals like Naver and online student communities. The pencil, which is a bright ivory beige color, has "2024 College Scholastic Ability Test" written on its surface.
Although it is referred to online as lemon or yellow, a KICE official stated it is "ivory beige." The mechanical pencil color was dark olive green one year ago and ocher two years ago.
Netizens who saw the pencil responded positively, saying things like "The prettiest color among past CSAT pencils," "The vivid yellow is pretty," and "It stands out well, so I wouldn't worry about dropping it."
KICE Spends 366 Million KRW on Mechanical Pencils and Leads
Searching the Public Procurement Service's Korea ON-line E-Procurement System (KONEPS) shows that KICE held a public bid in March for purchasing this year's CSAT mechanical pencils and leads, closed the bidding on May 4, and selected a supplier.
KICE spent 365.56 million KRW to purchase 788,120 mechanical pencils and 32,300 containers of leads. Each mechanical pencil contains five leads.
The winning supplier was decided through an evaluation committee. Companies scoring at least 85% of the full score in the first round, which assessed product quality (90%) and business status (10%), were shortlisted. Then, in the second round, a combined score of technical evaluation (90%) and price evaluation (10%) determined the final product with the highest overall score.
The winning suppliers by year are ▲2016?2010 (Yumi Sangsa) ▲2011 (Bareunson) ▲2012?2019 (Yumi Sangsa) ▲2020 (Donga Pencil) ▲2021?2023 (Yumi Sangsa).
Meanwhile, test-takers only need to prepare personal writing tools allowed, such as erasers, white correction tape, and black 0.5mm mechanical pencil leads. It is better to leave personal mechanical pencils or ballpoint pens out to avoid misunderstandings.
All electronic devices, including mobile phones and smartwatches, must not be brought. Especially, only analog watches without LCD or LED displays are allowed.
Computer-use sign pens are distributed at the test site, but it is advisable to bring extras for peace of mind.
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