밀린 학사일정과 수능 준비 병행해야하는 고3...개학연기에 숨가쁜 입시 될 것

With the start of school delayed again, high school seniors in South Korea now have less time on their academic calendar to prepare for the once-a-year, high-stakes college entrance exam.
It's considered by many here as one of life's most pivotal moments.
Our Lee Kyung-eun met with some high school seniors in this country who just happened to be preparing for what's deemed the most important exam of their lives amid COVID-19.
On what's supposed to be her first day back at school, high school senior Byeon Sung-eun is heading to a shared study room.
The start of school has been postponed once again,... from May 13th to the 20th.
To Byeon, that one week delay impacts a major life event the college entrance exam.
"By now, I should have had already taken a mock version of the test, and based on that, I'd be preparing strategically for the actual exam. But that's not happening right now."
And because of the delay, a hectic semester awaits.
At least 5 major exams are planned, and midterms are set to take place just two weeks after students get back to the classroom.
"Of course that's not enough time to prepare. But what's more concerning is that most online classes are provided by EBS, the educational broadcast channel, but the actual tests will be made by our teachers at school. That means the material will be different."
Also, summer break will be shortened, leaving students with less time to spend in college applications.
All students can do at this point is take their classes online and study by themselves while waiting for school to get back to normal.
"Some students are also attending private academies.
Here in Seoul's Daechi-dong, where many academies are concentrated,…teachers and students are busy trying to fill the gap caused by the lack of school."
"Seniors have less time to prepare for the college entrance exam because they have to catch up with their school classes. That puts them at a disadvantage, physically and psychologically, compared to graduates who are re-taking the exam."
There's growing speculation that the college entrance exam will be rescheduled again, but the education ministry says that won't happen as long as schools open this month.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.