수능 - the “Korean SAT” that actually matters
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009A really ridiculous important test is coming up. Mark your calendars kids because the third Thursday of every November is when your life either begins or ends.
Right off the bat, I have to mention that the amount of stress the test must cause…well…it’s insane. This Hub of Sparkle post paints quite a sad picture of the reality the stress this test puts on students. Some kids are smart enough to see past it all although they too are still held accountable to the test.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. What we need is perspective. What do we have in America that compares to 수능?
The most common answer is the SAT. Essentially, this monster of a test helps determine the academic ability of hopeful incoming university freshmen. In reality, it is one of several different criteria for some schools’ admissions programs. Other considerations are after school activities, volunteer work, leadership opportunities, written essay and personal interview. But even then, some schools don’t require SAT score submission.
As I mentioned to some LanguageCast friends, I personally didn’t take the SAT or any other standardized test. No TASP. No THEA. No ACT. No nothing. I was admitted into junior college based on a high school test score from eleventh grade. When I graduated junior college with an AA, that allowed me to transfer to a public university without any admissions test. Problem solved. And to think, that’s not the only (or that big of a) loophole. Moreso, I wasn’t trying to avoid the SAT. I would have taken it if I needed to, but in my particular case I simply never needed to take it. To think, plenty of other quality universities base their admissions on something other than a number from a test, too.
Such is not the case in Korea. While 수능 doesn’t determine absolutely everything about one’s future academic and professional career, it does determine a whole lot more than the SAT. A high score on the 수능 is the primary admissions requirements to get into one of the SKY universities (Korea’s answer to an Ivy league school or the Big Three). Wanting to attend SKY is a dream shared many young Korean kids; much more than American kids dreaming of the Big Three. Don’t get me wrong, getting into Harvard would be nice but it doesn’t mean that other universities don’t produce successful people, too. In my case, going to UNT was an awesome experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Even though our education systems are quite different, namely in the level of difficulty in Korean high schools versus American high schools, I’ve heard that the 수능 is quite difficult. I’ve even thought that someone like me could never score high on it. The truth is I don’t care. Not in the dismissive “who cares?” way but in the way that I place very little value in the outcome of such tests. But then again, I’m coming from my perspective that tests aren’t everything.
So what is Korea to do? Improve the test to make it more reflective of real world knowledge? Include other criteria for admissions? Dump the test altogether?
Not sure. I’m certainly not qualified to comment on it seeing as how I’ve never taken it and my career has never been based off of it. Of course it’s easy for me to knock it. It doesn’t affect me. But it does make me wonder: would I want my kids taking the test? Would I grill them about how important it is to get into a good university?
Definitely something to think about.
Want to brush up on your 수능 knowledge? Recommended reading material include this short photo essay about 수능 from a Korean high school student. For that matter, SeoulGlow posted a video a few years back that’s pretty interesting to watch (alt link). Of course, KC101’s advanced audio blog has more on the subject. Also, 현우 produced a regular audio blog that covers the same topic from a slightly different angle, too.
Thoughts?
Posted by Matthew in How Koreans Do It |
November 7th, 2009 at 3:43 am
I always admire your knowledge of soo many things in regard to issues here and korea. You don’t have to know all about their systems to bring it out forth for your readers to ponder the issues and gain some insight. Thank you always..and feel terrible I haven’t visited here in sometime;(
November 8th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Yeah, this is a tough one. As an outsider looking in, it does strike me as a little crazy. But, I’m not really in a position to be recommending an alternative… not that I have a specific one in mind! With so many people wanting to get into a small handful of universities, a “sorting” system is clearly needed, but is a Draconian measure like the 수능 really what’s needed here? Hmm…
I’ve heard some Korean people say that the major issue is what happens to students after they get into university. Parents encourage/force their children to study very hard in high school (well, in everything until high school, too, really), so that they do well on the 수능. Private academies, tutors… Nothing is spared. But, once they enter university, some parents feel that their job is done, that their children are now adults, and they back right off.
But what happens to some students in university? They have a “delayed teenager period.” Lots of partying, dating, drinking… and not a lot of studying. So in university, when students should be producing their best work, they backslide and don’t perform well academically.
I’m not saying that the same thing doesn’t happen in other places (especially in North America, with its frat houses galore and notorious drinking parties). But it does seem slightly odd that so much pressure is put on students at the age of 18, when it would be better if that stress was distributed more evenly, to encourage the production of a more balanced body of work over time.
But then again, all this pontificating is coming from a North American: one who comes from a place where we seem to be getting lazy and are only enjoying our first world comforts due to the hard work and sweat of those who came before us.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
And once again, I produce a comment that rivals the length of the original blog post (but without funny pictures and interesting links). I hope you’re not thinking I’m muscling in on your territory here, Matthew…
November 8th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
@ kyungmee - thanks for chiming in ^^
@ Daniel - never! I really appreciate your insight and appreciate the time and effort you put into your responses. Anyone is welcome to speak their mind on these posts.
In this matter, I happen to agree with you although, like you, I feel like I have no room to talk. My North American suggestions are pretty much irrelevant in this subject. But it does seem a little misplaced to party in your early 20s instead of your teens. Alas, the delayed teenager period exists here in a big way
November 10th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Why not distribute the fun more evenly as well? I think the primary problem with this system is that it prevents Korean teens from experiencing the full range of human experience, and robs them of the chance to discover what they really want to do with themselves.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I read in my local papers that the exam took place yesterday. The whole nation virtually stood still for these high schoolers to take the most important exam of their lives. Flights were rescheduled, all offices started work one hour later to minimise traffic jams, students caught in jams can request for emergency police escort to get there on time, female invigilators were not allowed to wear distracting jewelry or strong perfumes or high heels. It was also reported in the article that about 200 students a year attempt suicide due to the stress.
I strong feel that children should not be made to feel that their lives and success in future depend on any one event, and most certainly not this exam. It is extremely unhealthy for both students and parents alike.
If I were living in Korea, I most certainly would not want my children to go through this experience.
November 20th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
It’s also important to note that many Koreans also believe that this test should be abolished… or go in for a major overhaul. They recognize the unhealthy stress it causes, as well as its contribution to the burdensome private education fees parents feel they must pay.
But, like any entrenched system anywhere, change is difficult, and usually happens over time…
November 9th, 2010 at 11:32 am
I enjoy reading your posts about your experience in Korea..I couldn’t imagine being a student in Korea and having that much stress in my life, and having to put all of my eggs in one basket like they do with this test….I am attending UNT and like it as well, thankfully in America there are many good schools besides the ivy league schools… because otherwise I’d be a bum aahaha just kidding