S. Korea's college exams having to undergo unprecedented changes due to COVID-19
- 3 years ago
코로나 상황에 달라지는 수능, 수능 당일 날씨
South Korea's National College Entrance Exam, also known locally as 'Suneung' is scheduled for Thursday.
But this year's COVID-19 pandemic has forced some changes upon the test-takers and those overseeing the exam.
Kim Yeon-seung reports.
South Korea's National College Entrance Exam, also known as 'Suneung', has undergone unprecedented changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To start, never before has the test date been pushed back to as late as December.
As a result, the day of Suneung is expected to be unusually cold, with temperatures at minus 2 degrees Celsius in the morning in the capital region.
However, it will be a clear day with temperatures rising to 4 degrees by the afternoon.
Test takers are urged to dress warmly, as chilly air will blow through the classrooms... especially when the examiners open the windows after each test session for ventilation purposes.
This is one of the many precautions that has to be taken to prevent an outbreak.
Other precautions include face masks.
Masks are mandatory, but some types are not allowed such as those with valves.
KF80 or KF94 masks that are certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are recommended.
But masks aren't all.
Plastic dividers are fixed to each desk.
The desks are also spaced further apart due to reduced capacity.
On Thursday, it will be 24 students to a classroom down from the usual 28.
Students with COVID-19 will not miss out on their chance to take the test either.
As of last Thursday, the Ministry of Education identified 21 such patients due to take the exam.
They will each be able to sit the exam in one of 172 medical beds specially-prepared for test-takers.
Those in quarantine can go to designated test centers, which have plenty of space left.
On Monday, the Ministry of Education started distributing the question and answer sheets to test centers nationwide for the roughly half-a-million students due to sit the exam.
Kim Yeon-seung, Arirang News.
South Korea's National College Entrance Exam, also known locally as 'Suneung' is scheduled for Thursday.
But this year's COVID-19 pandemic has forced some changes upon the test-takers and those overseeing the exam.
Kim Yeon-seung reports.
South Korea's National College Entrance Exam, also known as 'Suneung', has undergone unprecedented changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To start, never before has the test date been pushed back to as late as December.
As a result, the day of Suneung is expected to be unusually cold, with temperatures at minus 2 degrees Celsius in the morning in the capital region.
However, it will be a clear day with temperatures rising to 4 degrees by the afternoon.
Test takers are urged to dress warmly, as chilly air will blow through the classrooms... especially when the examiners open the windows after each test session for ventilation purposes.
This is one of the many precautions that has to be taken to prevent an outbreak.
Other precautions include face masks.
Masks are mandatory, but some types are not allowed such as those with valves.
KF80 or KF94 masks that are certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are recommended.
But masks aren't all.
Plastic dividers are fixed to each desk.
The desks are also spaced further apart due to reduced capacity.
On Thursday, it will be 24 students to a classroom down from the usual 28.
Students with COVID-19 will not miss out on their chance to take the test either.
As of last Thursday, the Ministry of Education identified 21 such patients due to take the exam.
They will each be able to sit the exam in one of 172 medical beds specially-prepared for test-takers.
Those in quarantine can go to designated test centers, which have plenty of space left.
On Monday, the Ministry of Education started distributing the question and answer sheets to test centers nationwide for the roughly half-a-million students due to sit the exam.
Kim Yeon-seung, Arirang News.