Strict rules for CSAT announced

With less than a month until this year’s College Scholastic Ability Test on Nov. 10, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology yesterday announced detailed rules and regulations for test sites to prevent cheating.

All test takers are encouraged to leave their electronics, especially cell phones, at home. Even if a phone vibrates inside a bag, the owner will be considered a “cheater,” according to the ministry’s “2012 CSAT Cheating Preventive Measures.”

Since 2005, the ministry said, many have had their scores nullified for bringing in electronics that are prohibited inside the testing locations.

Test takers can only bring an ID, test verification slip, pencil or a mechanical pencil, eraser, correction tape, felt-tip pen, lead for mechanical pencils and a watch that only tells time - and nothing else.

The ministry said supervisors in the corridors will carry metal detectors to detect cell phones and other electronics, even if they are turned off.

By Yim Seung-hye [sharon@joogang.co.kr]