[Report] "With the Mindset of an SNU Student"—Test-Takers Head to the CSAT Exam Halls

[The Financial News] "I'm approaching the CSAT with the mindset that I'm already a Seoul National University (SNU) student, just here to retake the exam."
At 7:30 a.m. on the 13th, in front of Yeouido Girls' High School, a CSAT test site in Yeongdeungpo District, a third-year high school student surnamed Jang (19) said, "I've focused on math and English while studying, and I hope to do well on the CSAT so I can attend Sogang University."
From early morning, the atmosphere in front of Yeouido Girls' High School was filled with tension. Test-takers, clutching their lunchboxes, hurried to the exam site with calm expressions. Some students cheered each other on with shouts of 'Fighting!' and exchanged hugs for encouragement.
Another third-year student surnamed Kim (19) shared, "I'm anxious because I need to meet the minimum requirements in both math and English." Kim added, "I've worked hard for a year, so I hope to finish well." Another student surnamed Ko (19) expressed concern, saying, "The scope of Life and Ethics is so broad, and I'm worried the answer choices will be confusing." Still, Ko resolved, "Even if I don't do well, it's not the end—I’ll do my best with the mindset that I can always try again."
Family members and friends gathered in front of the school to support the test-takers. A parent surnamed Kim (56) teared up after sending their child into the exam hall. Kim said, "I couldn't help but cry after sending my daughter in. I hope she stays calm and does her best with confidence."

Lee (27), who lives in Incheon, came early in the morning to Yeouido Girls' High School with friends to support a test-taker they know. Lee said, "I knew my friend was preparing for her desired major, so I came to cheer her on and give her strength. I hope she can do her best as usual without getting nervous."

As the entrance time approached, the area in front of the school gate became even busier. Around 8:05 a.m., a support vehicle for test-takers stopped abruptly at the main gate, and a student jumped out with a backpack, rushing into the school. Two minutes later, another vehicle arrived, dropping off another test-taker.
Ahn Myeong-ryeol (62), a member of the Korea Association of Automobile Maintenance Cooperatives (Carpos), who was helping with test-taker transportation, said, "We came from Mullae Station to Yeouido Girls' High School. I was anxious the whole way, worried we might be late," he added with a sigh of relief.

On this day, Choi Kyo-jin, Minister of the United States Department of Education (ED), visited Yeouido Girls' High School to encourage the test-takers. Minister Choi greeted students entering the exam hall with high-fives and words of encouragement, saying, "Don't be nervous—fighting!" He added, "I hope all test-takers achieve the scores they desire with a calm mind."
[email protected] Jang Yu-ha, Park Seong-hyun Reporter