SEOUL – South Korea’s rigorous university entrance exam, known as “Suneung,” is seeing an unprecedented number of repeat test-takers this year as thousands hope to leverage recent reforms that have expanded access to medical school.
Of the 522,670 students sitting for the nine-hour exam on November 14, nearly a third are re-taking the test, the highest percentage on record. Reforms have slightly relaxed admission rates, increasing the chances of securing a spot in medical programs.
Lee Sang-joon, 21, who is taking the exam for the third time, described the policy changes as a “lifeline,” offering him renewed hope of joining a medical cohort. “Before, it was almost impossible – only the top 0.01% could get in. Now, it’s around 0.015%,” he told reporters.
The government’s decision to increase trainee doctor quotas, however, has been met with pushback from medical professionals, with trainee doctors and students staging a months-long protest. Despite the work stoppage, the government remains firm on its plan to meet growing healthcare demands.
Suneung is widely seen as a decisive moment for young South Koreans, shaping their educational, social, and economic futures. With so much at stake, South Korea adopts extraordinary measures to ensure the test day is free from disruptions. The education ministry has coordinated with multiple agencies to minimize noise and distractions near the 1,200 test centers nationwide, from suspending construction to slowing down traffic.
During the English listening portion, the transport ministry has implemented a nationwide ban on non-emergency flights, resulting in more than 156 rescheduled flights. Public transport and businesses have also adjusted schedules to help students arrive on time, while police escort those running late.
As the test got underway, tearful parents wished their children good luck, understanding that their performance could shape the course of their future.