[2025 CSAT] "You've worked hard, take it easy and do your best!"

On the morning of the 14th, the day of the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test, students and their families continued to arrive at Changwon Jungang Girls' High School, where the 12th test site of the Gyeongnam Office of Education's 88 (Changwon) district was set up.

Parents held their children's hands tightly or put their arms around their shoulders as they walked together to the exam site.

Many encouraged their children at the school gate by putting on the bags they had been carrying and saying, "Don't be nervous, take the test comfortably."

A parent is holding up a support banner made for their child who is a test-taker, offering encouragement. Photo by Lee Seryeong

Some parents showed support by making banners for their children and displaying them in front of the school gate.

They kissed their children's cheeks, stroked their heads, repeatedly shouted "Fighting," and then gazed endlessly at their children's backs as they walked away beyond the school gate as if rooted to the spot.

Some parents took out their phones to capture photos of their children's backs before turning away and wiping their eyes.

Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education Park Jong-hoon is encouraging examinees by high-fiving them as they enter the exam hall. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Gyeongnam Education Office, also encouraged the examinees by high-fiving them in front of the school gate.

At 8:10 a.m., when the entrance was closed, the examinees prepared for the decisive moment by taking out their admission tickets, IDs, writing utensils, and watches and placing them on their desks.

They exhaled deeply, clasped their hands in prayer to shake off tension, and reviewed summary notes and textbooks to consolidate their knowledge.

Examinees who have completed their check-in are waiting for the exam to start with their admission tickets, identification cards, writing instruments, and watches placed on their desks. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

A parent watching the school said, "I hope they do well because everything they studied so far comes to mind," adding, "I want to see their relieved faces when I pick them up later."

Another parent said, "When we parked the car nearby and walked here together, my child's hand was slightly cold and a bit trembling. I held it tightly without saying anything, and I was thankful that the trembling stopped when we arrived. I hope they stay calm and do their best until the end during the exam."

Superintendent Park said, "Fortunately, the weather is warm," and added, "I hope the examinees enjoy their last moments of high school comfortably, doing the things they wanted to do and the things they couldn't after the CSAT."