Test-takers to sit for mostly Covid restriction-free CSAT

High school seniors study in a classroom in Busan on Oct. 17, 30 days before Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) takes place. [NEWS1]

With the country declaring an end to Covid-19 and relaxing related restrictions, all test-takers can sit for the upcoming suneung, or Korea’s College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), in the same classroom this year.

This includes test-takers confirmed with the virus.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on Tuesday, many Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted for the upcoming exam, contrasting sharply to the past three years. However, the education office strongly advises examinees to wear masks during exams.

Partitions that previously divided the lunch area for examinees will no longer be present.

However, Covid-19 patients will still have a separate place to have lunch.

Separate exam halls for Covid-19 patients and those with symptoms will no longer exist, and test-takers will not be allowed to take their exams in hospitals.

Some 107,423 people will take the exam this year, up 658 from last year.

The education office will operate 4,669 examination rooms at 230 schools. Four of the schools will provide exam rooms for students with limited mobility.

Additionally, a separate room will be established at Seoul Southern Detention Center to allow 12 juvenile inmates to take the college exam.

The suneung is scheduled to take place next Thursday.

All test-takers are required to arrive at the testing center by 8:10 a.m.

The education office emphasized the need for test-takers to review the guidelines before the test day. For instance, test-takers are prohibited from bringing electronic devices with them on the day of the exam.

Last year, 79 people were accused of cheating during the exam in Seoul.

“I hope all test-takers will thoroughly review the guidelines so that the hard work and efforts of every individual will yield positive results, avoiding unfortunate outcomes,” said Cho Hee-yeon, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]