In brief
Every November, South Korea's college entrance exam, Suneung, draws attention as it halts the nation in its tracks. While most students finish their 8-hour test in the late afternoon, blind students face a grueling 13-hour ordeal, navigating challenges like thicker braille materials and limited access to study resources. We meet Han Dong-hyun and Oh Jeong-won, students from Seoul Hanbit School for the Blind, as they prepare for the Suneung, showcasing their steadfast determination and resilience.
Every November, South Korea comes to a standstill for its infamous college entrance exam, Suneung. Shops close, flights are delayed to reduce noise, and the rhythm of the morning commute slows for students on this critical day.
By the late afternoon, many students walk out of exam halls, exhaling with relief as family members await them outside. However, for some, the ordeal continues well into the night, with blind students often committing over 12 hours to the exam.
This year, more than 550,000 students are participating in Suneung, marking the highest number of applicants in seven years. This exam is pivotal in determining university admissions, job prospects, and even future personal relationships.
Standard test-takers complete around 200 questions within approximately eight hours, while blind students, granted 1.7 times the standard time due to the additional foreign language section, may finish as late as 21:48.
The braille versions of tests are bulky, requiring extensive conversion processes that make booklets six to nine times thicker than their printed counterparts.
Among the students facing these considerable challenges is Han Dong-hyun, an 18-year-old at Seoul Hanbit School for the Blind. Dong-hyun, who was born completely blind, shares his experiences as he prepares for the Suneung marathon.
Each year, only a small number of blind students undertake the Suneung. Dong-hyun describes the exam as physically exhausting, recalling his study routines leading up to the test. He practices with braille booklets and screen-reading software, preparing to tackle the exam sections that often stretch his memory and concentration.
Oh Jeong-won, another student from the same school, echoes this sentiment, describing the latter part of the exam day as particularly grueling. The absence of dinner breaks adds to the cumulative fatigue as students solve problems while others typically have meals.
Despite their perseverance, Dong-hyun and Jeong-won face significant barriers, primarily the delayed availability of accessible study materials, including braille preparation books. These disadvantages can hinder their preparation compared to their sighted peers.
The challenges of the Suneung are daunting, yet for these students, the exam symbolizes a culmination of their years of hard work and determination. As they navigate through the lengthy hours of testing and the pain accompanying extensive reading, they embody remarkable tenacity and commitment to their goals.
Through their experiences, it becomes evident that access to education remains a pressing issue. Dong-hyun and Jeong-won recognize that although the exam is crucial, it is not the sole measure of their capabilities. With valuable support from educators, they are encouraged to cherish their achievements rather than dwell on perceived shortcomings.
