The English section of South Korea’s college entrance exam, known as the Suneung, is often seen as a real challenge. Many students describe it as complicated, with some calling it “insane.” Recently, the head of the Suneung board resigned amid widespread criticism about this year’s exam chaos.
Oh Seung-geol, the outgoing chief, acknowledged that some questions were overly difficult, saying they “fell short” despite multiple reviews. Questions like those about Immanuel Kant’s law philosophy and gaming jargon have sparked debate. A particularly tricky question asked students to determine the right placement for a given sentence within a paragraph.
The sentence in question was, “The difference is that the action in the game world can only be explored through the virtual bodily space of the avatar.” Some students found these questions confusing and not reflective of what they had learned in class. For instance, one student, Im Na-hye, expressed how challenging it was to make sense of the questions.
This year’s statistics reveal that only about 3% of students achieved the top score in English, down from 6% last year. Professor Jung Chae-kwan, an English language expert, noted that while the texts aren’t impossible, they’re often frustratingly unclear. He pointed out that teachers focus more on tactics for test-taking rather than genuine English education, which undermines effective learning.
Additionally, critiques have emerged regarding test passages, suggesting that they’re often taken out of context, leading to confusion. For example, the gaming passage originates from Game Feel, a specialized guide, which may not equip students with practical reading skills for everyday use.
On the flip side, some educators argue that the exam serves its purpose by evaluating students’ comprehension abilities and preparing them for university-level material. Kim Soo-yeon, a literature professor, believes that the somewhat specialized texts effectively assess whether students can handle complex content.
The Suneung occurs each November and spans eight hours of back-to-back exams covering various subjects, from Korean and math to social sciences. Students spend years preparing for it, often attending “cram schools” from a young age.
The importance of the Suneung extends beyond individual students—it affects the entire nation. On exam day, activities like construction work, flight schedules, and even military training pause to create a favorable testing environment.
Since its inception in 1993, the Suneung has seen many leaders step down, often due to mistakes in the questions. However, Oh Seung-geol’s resignation for the exam’s difficulty is a first.
For more insights into the Suneung and its consequences, you can check resources from The Korea Times.
