31 May 2026

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World's Toughest Exam?

South Korea's Suneung (CSAT) is considered one of the toughest college entrance exams in the world

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Future-Deciding Test

The exam is held every November and plays a major role in university admissions

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8-Hour Marathon

Students spend nearly eight hours completing the high-stakes examination

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Five Key Subjects

The test covers Korean, Mathematics, English, Korean History, and Social Studies or Science

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Long Exam Sessions

Each subject lasts between 80 and 107 minutes, testing endurance and focus

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Listening Test Challenge

The English section includes a listening test where students answer based on audio clips

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Months Of Preparation

Students take multiple mock tests throughout the year to assess their readiness

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Nation Moves For Students

Special measures are taken across the country to help students reach exam centres on time

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Stock Market Delayed

South Korea delays stock market opening on Suneung day due to the exam's importance

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Flights Grounded

Aircraft take-offs and landings are briefly halted during the English listening test to maintain silence

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31 May 2026

10 FACTS ABOUT SOUTH KOREA'S TOUGHEST SUNEUNG EXAM

World's Toughest Exam?

South Korea's Suneung (CSAT) is considered one of the toughest college entrance exams in the world

Future-Deciding Test

The exam is held every November and plays a major role in university admissions

8-Hour Marathon

Students spend nearly eight hours completing the high-stakes examination

Five Key Subjects

The test covers Korean, Mathematics, English, Korean History, and Social Studies or Science

Heading 3

Long Exam Sessions

Each subject lasts between 80 and 107 minutes, testing endurance and focus

Listening Test Challenge

The English section includes a listening test where students answer based on audio clips

Months Of Preparation

Students take multiple mock tests throughout the year to assess their readiness

Nation Moves For Students

Special measures are taken across the country to help students reach exam centres on time

Stock Market Delayed

South Korea delays stock market opening on Suneung day due to the exam's importance

Flights Grounded

Aircraft take-offs and landings are briefly halted during the English listening test to maintain silence

Check More Stories

31 May 2026

10 FACTS ABOUT SOUTH KOREA'S TOUGHEST SUNEUNG EXAM

World's Toughest Exam?South Korea's Suneung (CSAT) is considered one of the toughest college entrance exams in the world

Future-Deciding TestThe exam is held every November and plays a major role in university admissions

8-Hour MarathonStudents spend nearly eight hours completing the high-stakes examination

Five Key SubjectsThe test covers Korean, Mathematics, English, Korean History, and Social Studies or Science

Heading 3

Long Exam SessionsEach subject lasts between 80 and 107 minutes, testing endurance and focus

Listening Test ChallengeThe English section includes a listening test where students answer based on audio clips

Months Of PreparationStudents take multiple mock tests throughout the year to assess their readiness

Nation Moves For StudentsSpecial measures are taken across the country to help students reach exam centres on time

Stock Market DelayedSouth Korea delays stock market opening on Suneung day due to the exam's importance

Flights GroundedAircraft take-offs and landings are briefly halted during the English listening test to maintain silence

Check More Stories

World's Toughest Exam?

South Korea's Suneung (CSAT) is considered one of the toughest college entrance exams in the world

Future-Deciding Test

The exam is held every November and plays a major role in university admissions

8-Hour Marathon

Students spend nearly eight hours completing the high-stakes examination

Five Key Subjects

The test covers Korean, Mathematics, English, Korean History, and Social Studies or Science

Long Exam Sessions

Each subject lasts between 80 and 107 minutes, testing endurance and focus

Listening Test Challenge

The English section includes a listening test where students answer based on audio clips

Months Of Preparation

Students take multiple mock tests throughout the year to assess their readiness

Nation Moves For Students

Special measures are taken across the country to help students reach exam centres on time

Stock Market Delayed

South Korea delays stock market opening on Suneung day due to the exam's importance

Flights Grounded

Aircraft take-offs and landings are briefly halted during the English listening test to maintain silence