Controversy Over Early Distribution of Yonsei University Natural Sciences Essay Exam
Exam Papers and Practice Answer Sheets Spreading Online
"No Retake" ... Surge of Complaints from Students and Parents
Amid growing controversy over the online leak of the 2025 academic year Yonsei University early admission natural sciences essay exam questions, photos taken during the humanities essay exam have also been posted on an online community, intensifying criticism of the university's lax management and supervision. Previously, Yonsei University stated regarding the natural sciences essay exam in question that “phones were turned off and placed in bags, so sharing online before the exam was impossible,” but photos of the natural sciences exam papers and humanities practice answer sheets, apparently taken by test-takers, are circulating online.
On the 12th, examinees who completed the 2025 Yonsei University early admission essay exam are leaving the test site. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 14th, Yonhap News reported, “A photo showing the Yonsei University natural sciences essay exam paper and answer sheet placed under a test-taker’s ID card and resident registration card was posted on an online community just before the exam.” The post’s author wrote, “The proctor did not stop me from taking pictures with my smartphone.”
Multiple test-takers claim that “the proctors did not prohibit phone use.” Kim, a 20-year-old who took this year’s Yonsei University humanities essay exam, told Yonhap News, “In the exam room I entered, phones were put in bags and submitted at the front of the classroom before the exam, but I heard that other exam rooms did not follow this. Last year, when I took the essay exam at the Central Library, I remember not having to submit my bag separately.” He added, “Whether it’s exam papers or practice sheets, they should not be leaked outside, so the fact that they appeared online suggests there was a problem with supervision and management.”
2025 Yonsei University Early Admission Natural Sciences Essay Exam Paper Posted Online. [Image source=Online Community Capture]
This controversy began when, due to a proctor’s mistake at one exam room where the natural sciences essay exam was held, exam papers were distributed about an hour before the exam started. The proctor realized the mistake 10 to 15 minutes later and collected the papers, but as students were allowed to use their phones again during self-study time, concerns arose that the questions were leaked on some online communities. Additionally, during the essay exam, question 4-2 had the symbol 'b' mistakenly marked as 'a,' prompting the university to announce this 30 minutes before the exam ended and extend the exam time by 20 minutes.
Yonsei University acknowledged in a statement the day before that exam papers were distributed an hour early at one exam room due to a proctor’s mistake, but explained, “Phones could not be used until they were collected 15 minutes later, and the exam papers were covered by practice sheets, so test-takers could not see the questions. It is not true that the questions were photographed and leaked in advance.”
The university also stated, “No acts that would undermine the fairness of the essay exam have been identified,” and that they are not considering a retest at this stage. However, protests from test-takers and parents are currently mounting. A Ministry of Education official said, “If Yonsei University’s inadequate exam supervision is confirmed, administrative sanctions may be imposed on the school or disciplinary actions taken against those responsible.”
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