"Do Your Best Without Pressure" Parents and Juniors Unite in Support at the Suneung Exam Venue

Parents "I want to say thank you for your hard work"
Junior "Myself in 2 years... hope you do well"

"I woke up early, maybe because I was nervous."

At Gyeongbok High School, the first test site of the 15th district under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education for the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). Around 6 a.m., 30 minutes before the entry time, Yoon (19, senior at Kyungshin High School), holding a lunchbox, was the first to arrive. Yoon said, "Maybe because I was too nervous, I woke up early and took a taxi alone to the test site," adding, "I studied as usual the day before and tried to go to bed early."

On the 14th, the day of the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test, a mother is hugging her son entering the exam site in front of Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

The backs of parents cheering for their children were the same as in previous years. Parents who stared at their children's backs for a while seemed reluctant to leave, clasping their hands in prayer, wishing for their success. Park Jeong-ja (49), whose child is retaking the exam, said, "Seeing my son unable to enjoy college life made me feel sad, but I also liked seeing him trying to move toward a better environment," and added, "I hope he can do it without pressure or nervousness."

Another parent, Shin Yoon-sook (57), said, "I woke up at 4 a.m. and made a lunchbox with beef radish soup, rolled eggs, and cucumber salad to help digestion," adding, "My child has dreamed of majoring in design since the third year of middle school and has been preparing for three years. I hope they follow the path they want, and after the CSAT, I want to tell them they did well."

Park Kwan-hee (52), who came to the test site on foot with his daughter, said, "The pressure is a bit less since she only needs to meet the minimum criteria, but I can't hide my nervousness," and smiled, "After the exam, we plan to go to a book stay in Paju and a trip to Busan, so I want her to finish well and make fun memories."

On the 14th, the day of the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test, families of examinees who came to support at Yeouido Girls' High School in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, are waving their hands to cheer the students entering the test site. Photo by Heo Young-han

At the same time, in front of Yongsan High School, the 7th test site of the 15th autonomous district, the voices of students cheering for their seniors filled the air.

Lee Dong-jin (16, first year at Baemoon High School), who came out to cheer, said, "I have been waiting since 6:30 a.m. to support the seniors," adding, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime exam, so I hope the seniors do well." Park Jong-hyun (16) also said, "In two years, it will be my turn to take the exam, but it doesn't feel real yet," and added, "I came out to cheer, hoping the seniors do well and stay strong." The test takers responded to these juniors' support. One test taker clenched both fists and shouted "Fighting" loudly to the juniors.

As the entry deadline approached, the area in front of the test site became somewhat chaotic. At Yeouido Girls' High School, the 15th test site of the 13th district, around 7:58 a.m., a student got off a police car and hurried inside the test site with encouragement from the police officers. Then, around 8:06 a.m., sirens sounded near the school gate, and a student hurriedly got off a transport vehicle from the Yeongdeungpo Police Station's volunteer patrol unit and ran into the test site.

Just before the gate closed, there was also an incident where a family member of a test taker brought a forgotten admission ticket by police car. Seong Jae-hee (27), living in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, said, "My younger sibling arrived at the test site at 7:30 a.m., but called to say they forgot their admission ticket," adding, "I hurried out and, with the help of the police officers, was able to deliver it in time without being late."