What is 'Suneung'? A to Z Guide to the Korean College Exam for Foreign Residents
Have you heard that around the third Thursday of November in Korea, the streets become unusually quiet, company working hours are delayed, and even airplane takeoffs and landings are adjusted?
On that day, an exam takes place throughout South Korea, captivating the nation for an entire day. This is the 'Suneung' (College Scholastic Ability Test, CSAT), the most critical gateway to higher education in Korea.
For those of you witnessing this unique cultural event during your long-term stay, we will clearly explain what the 'Suneung' is and why it holds such paramount importance in Korean society.
Suneung, The Single Exam That Shapes Futures in Korea
What is the Suneung?
Official Name: College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
Timing: The third Thursday of November every year.
Purpose: A standardized test designed to measure the academic aptitude of students who have completed the high school curriculum, serving as the most decisive factor for admission to most universities in Korea.
Why Does the Entire Society Pause for This Exam?
The Suneung is more than just a test; it is viewed as the most important milestone in a person's life, significantly influencing their future university, career, and social standing.
Traffic Control: To ensure students arrive on time, government offices and many companies delay their opening hours, and police cars and motorcycles assist in the urgent transport of test-takers.
Noise Management: During the listening comprehension sections, noise is strictly minimized, and airplane takeoffs and landings are temporarily restricted.
Silent Streets: Families, younger students, and friends gather outside test centers to cheer, while citizens maintain a quiet and respectful atmosphere throughout the day in consideration of the students.
The 8-Hour Exam Marathon: How is the Suneung Structured? (Focus on Electives)
The Suneung is literally an 'exam marathon,' running for approximately eight hours, from 8:40 AM until around 5:40 PM. While the schedule is the same for all students, the choice of subjects in the 2nd (Mathematics) and 4th (Inquiry) periods largely determines the student's academic track (Liberal Arts / Natural Sciences).
A. Suneung Schedule and Subject Structure
Period | Time | Test Section (Subject) | Questions | Key Features and Elective Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 8:40 ~ 10:00 | Korean Language | 45 | Common (Reading, Literature) + 1 Choice (Speech and Writing or Language and Media) |
2nd | 10:30 ~ 12:10 | Mathematics | 30 | Common (Math I, II) + 1 Choice (Calculus, Geometry, or Probability and Statistics) |
Lunch | 12:10 ~ 13:00 | Lunch Break | - | - |
3rd | 13:10 ~ 14:20 | English | 45 | Listening (20 items) and Reading (25 items). Absolute grading system. |
4th | 14:50 ~ 16:37 | Korean History & Inquiry | History 20 / Inquiry 20 each | Korean History (Mandatory) + 2 Inquiry Subjects (from Social, Science, or Vocational Inquiry) |
5th | 17:05 ~ 17:40 | Second Foreign Language/Classical Chinese | 30 | Optional (Choose 1) |
B. The Distinction Between Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences
Korean universities often mandate specific Suneung subjects depending on the department a student is applying to:
Liberal Arts Track Applicants: Typically choose Probability and Statistics in Mathematics and 2 Social Science Inquiry subjects.
Natural Sciences Track Applicants: Typically choose Calculus or Geometry in Mathematics and 2 Natural Science Inquiry subjects.
This subject combination effectively determines the student's academic path and culminates in the 8-hour exam marathon on Suneung Day.
A Request from Enkostay
We kindly ask our Enkostay tenants for your understanding and cooperation on Suneung Day, which will be a great help to Korean society:
Noise Control (Be Quiet): Please maintain silence, especially during the 3rd period English Listening Test (1:10 PM to 2:20 PM). We ask that you refrain from activities that generate loud noise (construction, loud music, etc.).
Traffic Anticipation (Traffic Alert): Expect severe traffic congestion during rush hours and around test sites. We recommend allowing extra travel time if using public transportation.
By understanding the 'Suneung,' a significant cultural event in Korea, we hope your experience living here will become even richer! Enkostay supports your safe and comfortable life in Korea.