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Today in Korea; College entrance exams (CSAT)

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The CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) or college entrance exams are held today nationwide in Korea.
It is no exaggeration that this test paves the way (and life) of most Korean high school graduates. So just how important is this exam?

The CSAT which is conducted at 8:40AM to 6:05PM on the second Thursday of November every year is SO important that:

  • Workers at government offices and public firms (including banks and the stock exchange) all over the country are allowed to arrive at work an hour late (10AM rather than 9AM) to reduce traffic congestion and ensure that all students arrive at their examination location on time.
  • While students are taking the listening portions of the tests, planes can’t land or take off at the nation’s airports. Aircraft arriving from other countries are ordered to circle at altitudes above 10,000 feet.
  • Students who are late for the test are driven by police escort to ensure they arrive as fast as possible.

We wish good fortune to all students taking the exam!

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-06/trading-delayed-as-650-000-south-koreans-take-college-entry-test.html