Who doesn't like to have a fun? Of course, everyone like to chill outside instead of studying or working. Especially, when it is a golden fall season and the weather is perfect to stay outside.
But, unfortunatelly, some people can't go out and take a rest. I am talking about high school students, who are going to graduate soon.
Every year in the mid of November Korean high school students have graduation exams or something like a SAT exam in US, or Unified State Exam (USE) in Russia. It is a national exam, which is very important. Because that exam scores will decide to which university student will go. And that is very important, because as many of you probably know, that there is a strong hierarchy in Korean society, and rank of University plays a significant role as well. And everyone try to get admission to the high-ranked University.
I didn't take neither American version of SAT nor Korean one. So, I can't tell about it in details. But my brother passed USE in Russia, and I have seen some exam samples. Well, I would say USE is much easier than Korean exam. And, in USE students have a choice, they can choose the subject which they want to take. And exam on each subject can be taken on different days.
Today I will share the official info about graduation exam in Korea.
So, exam lasts almost a whole day. Of course, there are some breaks between different sections of exam.
Exam consists of 5 sections:
- National language (Korean language) - 80 mins
- Maths - 100 mins
- English - 70 mins
- Korean history, Social study/Scientific study/ Profession study - 102 mins
- Foreign language and Literature - 40 mins
All students has to arrive to the examination place until 8:00AM. Exam itself starts at 8:40AM, and finishes at 5:40PM. There is a 30mins break between each sessions, and 1 hour lunch break.
So, in total it takes about 9 hous. Can you imagine?! Poor students…
What is happening in Korea during the exams?
Well, in some countries graduation exams don't such a big role, at least, beside students almost noone will know that it is exam day. BUT, in Korea the situation is different.
Most of companies shift the office hours to 10AM, so students won't face traffic jam. And parents can accompany their children to exam place, or just wish them a good luck.
Every year some taxi drivers volunteer to transport students to the exam place. Last year, there were about 2,000 taxi drivers. Also, police also helps students. So, if student is lost or is lating for exam, he/she can call 119 and police will help him/her to reach the place ASAP.
Some cafes and shops offer discounts for students who had exam. And that is really cool. At that time I wish I also had exam…
Every year some issues or funny stories happen during the exam. Last year a taxi driver transported the student to the wrong city. Because the name of 2 cities is very similar and many people mistaken them (I don't remember exactly what was the city name, but I will let you know if I call to mind). The destination between 2 cities is about 60kms, so poor student skipped the exam.
If you want to check the exam tasks, you can find them online.
If you have any questions about Korea don't hesitate to contact me here or via instagram 
More articles about my travel adventures you can find here 
