[Report] "It feels like sending my son to the army"—A Mix of Nerves and Anticipation on CSAT Day

[The Financial News]"I believe he will do well."7 a.m. on the 14th. In front of the main gate of Yongsan High School, the site of the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) in Yongsan District, Seoul, Ms. A, mother of 19-year-old examinee Kim Seong-yoon, spoke calmly. Even before sunrise, examinees and their parents gathered at the test site, their faces tense with anticipation.
Many examinees opted for comfortable outfits like slippers and sweatpants instead of padded jackets. Kim, a third-year student at Gyeonggi Commercial High School, looked more serious than during the preliminary gathering the day before. He smiled and said, "So many people around me were cheering that I asked them to tone it down because it was overwhelming," but added, "Thanks to my family's support, I'll do my best until the end."
Ms. A, who came from Dongdaemun District, had a cast on her leg but still saw her son off to the end. She said, "He falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow, so he slept well," and encouraged him, "You'll do great, fighting!" Her repeated dabbing at her eyes as she watched the school gate reflected both nervousness and affection.
Around 8 a.m., as the entrance deadline approached, another examinee, referred to as B, panicked for a moment when he couldn't find his test slip at the entrance. He soon found it in his bag, but his hand trembled slightly as he held it.
In front of Yongsan High School, the Baemoon High School student council cheer squad had also arrived early. First- and second-year students waved placards and shouted, "Good luck on the CSAT!" Lee Dong-jin, an 18-year-old member of the Baemoon High School student council, said, "When our seniors finish the CSAT, it marks our beginning," and added, "I hope they do just as they have prepared."
Parents' support groups handed out warm barley tea and snack bags. As examinees passed by, they received short words of encouragement like "Stay strong" and "Do as you always do."
Il-Young Yang (49) and his wife Lee Mison (43) from Guro-dong headed to work only after sending off their son, Munhyeong (19). Lee said, "We prepared ourselves mentally by attending the preliminary gathering together yesterday," and added, "I packed his favorite side dishes so he could eat well and stay energized as usual."
At 7 a.m. that morning, the temperature in Yongsan was 9°C. There was no cold snap for the CSAT, but in front of the school gate, warm words like "Did you bring your heat pack?" and "Just do as you always do" were exchanged. Parents checked their children's bags one last time and patted their backs, sending them off calmly.
From 6 a.m. to the 8:30 a.m. entrance deadline, police controlled the intersection in front of Yongsan High School. Patrol cars were on standby in case of late arrivals, but there were no emergency transports. An official from Yongsan Police Station stated, "We will continue safety management in front of the school until students finish and leave in the afternoon."
425_sama@fnnews.com Seunghan Choi Reporter