On the 13th, the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) commenced simultaneously at 1,310 test centers across the country. In front of schools, students performed deep bows as a sign of respect.
In front of Yeonje High School in Busan, located in test zone 22, district 15, examinees headed toward the exam hall with encouragement from teachers and others. One parent from Daegu, who encountered an accident on the highway while heading to Gwangju to support her daughter, was seen tearing up with relief after handing over a lunch to her daughter and stated she hopes her daughter excels in both swimming and studying despite the challenges.
At Geoje Sangmoon High School in the Gyeongnam Education Office test zone 90, district 6, an ambulance arrived at 7:10 am. A student who was involved in a car accident the night before was transported on a stretcher to take the exam. Due to time constraints, the education authorities arranged for him to take the test in the school’s infirmary.
In another instance, students confused about the location or forgetting their IDs led to minor mishaps. At Ho Pyeong High School in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, dedicated retakers stepped off the buses with determination, muttering, “Just do our best,” while some eased their nerves by smoking near the school’s alley.
In front of Jeonju University’s attached high school, a vibrant display of support was evident with performances and road honking. In Incheon, one mother promised her daughter, who was celebrating her birthday, a seaweed soup dinner, a traditional birthday dish, but held off in the morning due to superstitions.
In Chuncheon High School, juniors performed a symbolic bow, acknowledging the seniors’ efforts and realizing their own exam countdown of one year. In Daegu, efforts by parents to ensure their children were in prime condition for the exam involved calming videos and favorite snacks.
The total number of participants for the 2026 CSAT increased by 6.0% from the previous year, largely due to the wave of students born in the “golden pig year” of 2007, marking the highest number of examinees since 2019 with 554,174 participants.