D-1: College exam-takers face Seoul's first subzero temperature this year
A student running late for the College Scholastic Ability Test gets a ride on a policeman’s bike in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Nov. 12, 2015. / Korea Times file
By Ko Dong-hwan
Thursday’s college exam day will have Seoul’s first subzero temperature this year, adding to test-takers’ mental pressure as they dress to keep warm.
The capital’s lowest temperature is expected to be minus 3 degrees Celsius, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The highest will be 7 degrees.
The coldest regions tomorrow include Cheorwon and Daegwanryeong in Gangwon Province with minus 9. Paju city in Gyeonggi Province will see the mercury drop to minus 8, while the Gyeonggi Province cities of Dongducheon, Chuncheon and Icheon will have minus 7.
Students writing the test in Incheon, Suwon, Gangneung, Cheongju, Daejeon, Sejong and Daegu are advised to dress for temperatures from minus 1 to minus 5.
“The highest and lowest temperatures on Thursday will drop by 1 to 5 degrees Celsius from average year-on figures,” a KMA official said. “Besides, with strong gusts expected, the day will feel even colder than the actual temperature.”
Last preparation
Students writing the College Scholastic Ability Test visited their designated test classrooms Wednesday to receive admission tickets. This year’s 593,527 test-takers must take the tickets to the classrooms on exam day. Those who forget can get a ticket from the help desk at each school by showing their photo.
Students are banned from taking mobile phones and electronic dictionaries into classrooms. Smart watches are also restricted, but analogue versions are allowed.
All students must sit the exam’s Korean history section, otherwise their test results are invalid and report cards will not be issued.
“The exam will determine all the hard work put into the last three years in high school,” an insider from the nation’s private institute Etoos education assessment lab said.