[On the Scene] "Son, Just Pick the Right Answers!" Warm Waves of Support for CSAT Test-Takers

At around 6:40 a.m., before sunrise, the main gate of Kyungbock High School in Jongno District, Seoul, was crowded with parents and students. Parents accompanied their children to the test site, offering words of encouragement, while students hurried inside. Young-Ran Park (56) clenched her fist and shouted to her son entering the test center, "Son, just pick the right answers!"
On the morning of the 13th, as the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) began, families and friends continued to arrive at the entrance to support the test-takers. With temperatures around 10°C and no 'CSAT cold wave,' students dressed lightly, many wearing training pants with fleece or hooded jackets. Park (19), a test-taker, said with a laugh, "My older brother told me to bring a hot pack, but I thought it would be a hassle, so I didn't. I think it was the right choice."
This year, students expressed nervousness knowing that the number of applicants was the highest in seven years since 2019. Kim (19), a student from Daeshin High School in Jongno District who arrived first with a friend, said, "I'm more nervous because I'm only applying for regular admissions. I told my parents, 'Even if I'm nervous, I'll do my best on the test.'" Son (19) shared, "I'm especially anxious about the first section, Korean, but I feel relieved because I'll do my best as always."
Parents who came to support their children were just as nervous as the test-takers themselves. They shouted "Fighting!" to their children, and some watched until their children disappeared into the school. Some made the sign of the cross and paced anxiously. Choi (50), a test-taker's mother, said, "I woke up twice during the night and finally got up at 4 a.m. to prepare a lunchbox with short rib patties, sausages, and mung bean sprouts. I think I'd be more nervous if I stayed still, so I plan to walk around to pass the time." Kim (52), who hugged her son at the school gate, smiled and said, "I woke up at 4 a.m. because I was nervous, but my son said he slept soundly. I hope all his hard work pays off with good results."
Though the atmosphere was not as lively as in previous years, teachers continued to show their support. Park Sunmi (57), a teacher at Seoul Automobile High School, came to deliver snacks to her students at the test site. She explained, "I spent a week preparing snacks, stickers, and wrapping paper, hoping to give the students strength." The snack packages prepared by Park and her colleagues included a note that read, "I hope you achieve results as good as your efforts! You are always our pride! Fighting!"
Some citizens also came to the test site to cheer on the test-takers. Hwangmo (35), holding a placard reading "Eat a chocolate bar and cheer up," visited the test center with his acquaintance Wally (40) from Canada. Hwangmo said, "I just wanted to encourage the test-takers, so I prepared snacks. I know they're nervous, but this is a process everyone goes through in life. I hope they enjoy it and endure it well." Wally added, "I'm happy to experience Korean culture and support the students."
This year's CSAT began simultaneously at 1,310 test sites nationwide at 8:40 a.m. The number of applicants reached 554,174, the highest in seven years. Of these, 371,897 are current students, while 182,277 are graduates or other test-takers. This year's number of applicants increased by 31,504 compared to last year.
jyseo@fnnews.com Seo Ji-yoon Reporter