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The “Suneung” (수능), officially known as the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), is much more than just an exam in South Korea. It’s a national event that not only shapes the future of young Koreans, but also influences society as a whole. This article takes an in-depth look at the Suneung, examining its origins, how it is conducted, its societal impact and the debates it generates.
History and evolution of Suneung
Suneung, in its current form, was introduced in 1993, but its roots go back to traditional examination systems in historic Korea. These examinations, known as Gwageo (과거), were essential in determining access to government positions and social status since the period of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Over the centuries, the concept of a national examination to determine an individual’s future has evolved, culminating in the modern Suneung.
The Suneung process
The Suneung is an annual examination usually held in November. It covers several subjects, including Korean, mathematics, foreign languages (mainly English), science and social studies. Each test lasts around 70 minutes, with breaks in between. The exam starts at 8.40am and finishes around 5pm. The level of difficulty and pressure associated with this exam is such that students’ preparation begins years in advance, often from the start of their secondary education.
Detailed description of the Suneung
- Exam structure: It comprises six sections – National Language, Mathematics, English, Korean History, subordinate subjects, and a second foreign language or classical Chinese, extending over approximately eight hours .
- Student preparation: South Korean students engage in hours of intensive preparation, often studying 14 to 16 hours a day in 독서실 (specialized study rooms) or 학원 (private schools) .
- Examination day: Exceptional measures are taken to ensure a calm and undisturbed environment, including changes to working hours, transport, and even stopping aircraft during the English listening section.
Societal and cultural impact
On Suneung Day, the whole nation mobilizes to support the students. Businesses open later, traffic is regulated to avoid disruptive noise, and even planes are grounded for certain periods to ensure a calm environment. This examination is so deeply rooted in South Korean culture that it regularly appears in the media, films and TV series, reflecting its importance in the collective imagination. The Suneung is more than just a test; it is a cultural phenomenon, representative of the values of diligence, competitiveness and success that are very much present in South Korean society.
Criticism and reform
Despite its importance, Suneung has come under increasing criticism. Experts and citizens alike are concerned about the enormous pressure it places on young people, contributing to high levels of stress and anxiety among students. Questions are also being raised about the fairness of the exam, and whether it favors students from wealthier backgrounds who can afford expensive private tuition. In response, the South Korean government has introduced several reforms aimed at reducing pressure and offering alternative routes to university admission.
A film to talk about it
Yujin, a high-school senior with a bright future ahead of him, is found murdered. Suspicion soon turns to June, one of his classmates. But as the story unfolds, a world of ultra-competition and cruelty emerges in this elite high school, where success in the “Suneung”, the final exam that qualifies students to enter the best universities, is an obsession. To get the top spot, some students will do anything, even the worst…
More recently and in a slightly different vein, About Kim Sohee also denounces part of the South Korean school system.
International comparisons
The Suneung can be compared to other national examinations around the world, such as the Baccalauréat in France or the SAT in the USA. What sets it apart, however, is its profound influence on South Korean society and culture. While the Baccalauréat and SAT are important educational milestones, they do not appear to have the same social and cultural impact as the Suneung in South Korea. This comparison highlights fundamental differences in the way cultures approach education and academic success.
SAT (United States) vs Suneung
- Duration and weight: The Suneung lasts about three times longer than the American SAT and has a greater weight in university admissions.
- Impact: While the SAT plays an important role in admissions to American universities, it is considered less decisive for students’ futures than the Suneung in South Korea.
Baccalauréat (France) vs Suneung
- Structure: The Suneung takes place over a single day and lasts 8 hours, unlike the French baccalauréat, which lasts several days.
- Preparation: Korean students start preparing for the Suneung as early as elementary school, a preparation that lasts for years, underlining the importance attached to this exam in Korean society.
- Social impact: Passing the Suneung is crucial to the social hierarchy in South Korea, whereas the baccalauréat in France, while important, does not have the same decisive weight on social and professional life.
Gaokao (China) vs Suneung
- Structure and preparation: The Gaokao, China’s university entrance exam, is similar to the Suneung in terms of pressure and impact on students’ lives. Like the Suneung, it occupies a central place in the lives of Chinese high school students, with years of intense preparation.
- Academic importance: For Chinese students, the Gaokao score is the sole criterion for university admission, putting enormous pressure on a single performance, similar to that of the Suneung in South Korea.
- Societal impact: As in South Korea, the Gaokao in China leads to significant changes in society during exam days, with traffic restrictions and other measures to help students concentrate.
Suneung vs University entrance exams in Japan
- Significance: In Japan, as in South Korea, university entrance exams are a major challenge in the lives of young people, with intense preparation and competition to get into the best universities.
- Exam structure: Japanese students take the National Center Test for University Admissions, a standardized test, as well as university-specific exams. This two-tier system differs from the Suneung, which is a single exam but just as crucial to the future of students .
- Preparation and pressure: Japanese students, like South Koreans, undergo intense academic pressure, with long hours of preparation in specialized cram schools and considerable personal sacrifice to pass these exams .
The comparison shows that although exam structures differ between Japan and South Korea, the importance attached to these tests and the impact they have on students’ lives are remarkably similar in both cultures.
Conclusion
The Suneung is much more than an exam; it’s a rite of passage, a social phenomenon, and a reflection of South Korea’s educational and cultural values. Despite criticism and calls for reform, it remains central to the lives of young Koreans and to society as a whole. As South Korea continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the Suneung adapts to future social and educational changes.
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