The English section of South Korea's gruelling college entrance exam, or Suneung, is notoriously difficult, with some students comparing it to deciphering an ancient script, and others calling it 'insane'.
So intense was the criticism around this year's test that the top official in charge of administering it resigned to take responsibility for the 'chaos' it caused.
'We sincerely accept the criticism that the difficulty of questions... was inappropriate,' said Suneung chief Oh Seung-geol, adding that the test 'fell short' despite having gone through several rounds of editing.
Among the most daunting questions are one on Immanuel Kant's philosophy of law and another involving gaming jargon. The latter, worth three points, includes a sentence that reads: 'The difference is that the action in the game world can only be explored through the virtual bodily space of the avatar.' Critics noted the wording of several questions was confounding and poorly constructed.
Furthermore, only 3% of this year’s test-takers achieved the highest grade for the English section compared to 6% last year. One student remarked on the overwhelming difficulty of understanding the texts and the similar looks of some answers, causing uncertainty until the last moment.
Prof. Jung Chae-kwan argued that it is misleading to call the English test tough, suggesting that it is 'maddeningly confusing'—a scenario that shifts focus from genuine learning to test-taking strategies.
Suneung is a crucial event in South Korea, influencing not only educational trajectories but also future jobs and social relationships. As a result of its high stakes, many students dedicate years to preparation, often attending cram schools from a young age. The exam day brings the nation to a halt, with significant societal adjustments to facilitate the testing conditions.
Oh Seung-geol's resignation is notable as he becomes the first Suneung chief to step down specifically for the test's difficulty, with only four chiefs serving their full three-year terms since the exam's inception in 1993.
So intense was the criticism around this year's test that the top official in charge of administering it resigned to take responsibility for the 'chaos' it caused.
'We sincerely accept the criticism that the difficulty of questions... was inappropriate,' said Suneung chief Oh Seung-geol, adding that the test 'fell short' despite having gone through several rounds of editing.
Among the most daunting questions are one on Immanuel Kant's philosophy of law and another involving gaming jargon. The latter, worth three points, includes a sentence that reads: 'The difference is that the action in the game world can only be explored through the virtual bodily space of the avatar.' Critics noted the wording of several questions was confounding and poorly constructed.
Furthermore, only 3% of this year’s test-takers achieved the highest grade for the English section compared to 6% last year. One student remarked on the overwhelming difficulty of understanding the texts and the similar looks of some answers, causing uncertainty until the last moment.
Prof. Jung Chae-kwan argued that it is misleading to call the English test tough, suggesting that it is 'maddeningly confusing'—a scenario that shifts focus from genuine learning to test-taking strategies.
Suneung is a crucial event in South Korea, influencing not only educational trajectories but also future jobs and social relationships. As a result of its high stakes, many students dedicate years to preparation, often attending cram schools from a young age. The exam day brings the nation to a halt, with significant societal adjustments to facilitate the testing conditions.
Oh Seung-geol's resignation is notable as he becomes the first Suneung chief to step down specifically for the test's difficulty, with only four chiefs serving their full three-year terms since the exam's inception in 1993.
