Jeonnam Wando and Haenam CSAT Scenes
A Mix of Emotion and Tension
On November 13, the day of the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test, exam sites across the Jeonnam region were filled with a passionate atmosphere of support for the examinees, despite the mild weather.
On this day, although the temperature difference between day and night was significant and the morning air was somewhat chilly in the 16 cities and counties along the western and southern coasts of Jeonnam, parents, teachers, and juniors gathered in front of major exam sites such as Wando and Haenam from early morning to offer warm words of encouragement to the students.
In front of Wando High School exam site, Lee Chulyoung, Superintendent of Wando Education Office, and education office staff are cheering for the examinees along with parents, teachers, and juniors. Photo by Lee Jungkyung
In front of the main gate of Wando High School, teachers, juniors, and parents greeted the examinees with bright smiles, holding banners and placards with messages such as "Good luck on the CSAT!", "You’ve worked hard," and "Today is your day." One parent, with a trembling heart, sent their child into the exam room, saying, "I hope you achieve great results, as you have prepared diligently for three years."
School juniors welcomed the examinees holding banners and placards with cheering messages. Photo by Lee Jungkyung
The area in front of the exam site was filled with enthusiastic support. Local figures, including Jeonnam Provincial Assemblyman Shin Euijun, Wando County Councilor Heo Gunghee, former Jindo Deputy County Governor Woo Hongseop, education office officials, and county office staff, joined together to hand out snacks and warm drinks to the examinees, shouting "Fighting!"
Jeon Namdo Provincial Assemblyman Shin Eui-Jun, Wando County Councilor Heo Gung-Hee, and former Jindo County Governor Woo Hong-Seop are shouting "Fighting" towards the examinees together with the county office staff. Photo by Lee Jung-Kyung
They held placards with messages such as "Cheering for your shining self," "Practice is over, today is showtime," and "Today is the time to reap the rewards," delivering words of encouragement. Juniors continued their support with cheers, shouting, "You can do it, seniors!" and "You can do it!"
Signs at the scene read "Cheering for your shining self," "Practice is over, today is showtime," and "Today is the time to reap the rewards." Photo by Lee Jungkyung
As the exam start time approached, smiles appeared here and there despite the tense atmosphere. Meanwhile, in front of the main gate of Wando High School, a male student who arrived late drew attention as he ran into the exam site, panting with his backpack on. Parents and teachers who saw this raised their voices in encouragement, saying, "It's okay, there's still time!" and "Hurry inside!" The student quickly bowed his head in greeting and hurried through the main gate.
A male student who arrived late is running into the exam room, panting heavily with his bag on his shoulder. Photo by Lee Jungkyung
Members of local churches in Wando and staff from the Youth Counseling and Welfare Center also gathered in front of the main gate, sharing warm tea and snacks while offering words of comfort to the examinees. One parent hugged their child and said, "You’ve worked so hard, you’ll do great," offering words of encouragement.
The examinees, with bright expressions, headed into the exam site, saying, "Thanks to all the support, I feel less nervous," and "I will do my best until the end."
Meanwhile, the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education and the police strengthened traffic control and safety management around exam sites from early in the morning to ensure that examinees could enter without being late. Volunteers from each city and county also helped guide students, deliver lunch boxes, and provide quarantine support to ensure the convenience of examinees.
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