A Future Determined By One College Scholastic Ability Test
Imagine a day in the year, when stock markets open late, planes grounded to avoid making disturbing noises, the military stop conducting drills, buses and subways increased to prevent traffic jams. In South Korea, this is the annual day of the CSAT or otherwise known as Suneung, a type of standardized test taken by high school students to gain admissions to universities. It is similar to the SATs in America but the CSAT is higher in intensity and is described as ‘the chance to make or break one’s future.’ With late students being able to be escorted by police officers, and younger students and families waiting outside of the school to cheer on the testers, it is definitely not a site we see often or at all in North America.
The emphasis put on these exams is unimaginable from the amount of time that is invested from an early age for tutoring, the money, the stress and pressure that partially accounts for why South Korea has the number 1 highest suicidal rates; all for that one test that will determine one’s spot in a prestigious university and presumably a successful job. So how valid and reliable is this high-stakes test? How does it compare to another common standardized test, such as the SATs? And what are the consequences of having such a high-stakes test?
As stressful as it sounds just reading about it, there are still advantages to the test. The efficiency it provides for universities, or Korea’s educational system/government to identify smart, studious, diligent students through a single set of tests and launching them as successful members into society is undeniable. And the country’s leading educational results in the scoring system run by OECD and its rising economy are the proofs. Thus, there is certainly some validity to the test I think, in assessing the “Scholastic Aptitude.” Although, other aspects undermining the validity of the so called standardized test like tutoring (SK’s tutoring industry worth 20$ billion dollars), inadequacy in measuring the student’s deep, creative learning/proficiency, narrowed curriculum, etc. needs to be considered. CSATs scores are considered to be relatively reliable (PCSAT =preliminary exams implemented in the middle of the year) as most standardized achievement tests are.
As a Canadian Korean, I have cousins, friends, relatives etc. who have all taken the CSAT or will be taking it soon, while I myself have taken the SAT for American universities back in high school. Comparing the CSAT to the SAT, the test conditions are similar with official guidelines, time limits, multiple choice formats, official test administrators etc. although the CSAT does encompass a larger number of curriculums compared to the SAT; however, I think the biggest way they differ is in the overall system. American universities will not only look at SATs but also put high emphasis on extracurricular activities, GPA, awards, supplement essays, Common Application essay, other creative endeavours. There are many factors that will determine one’s place at the university. While in Korea, the entrance criteria rely heavily on the CSAT.
Therefore, the consequences of such a high-stakes testing are cheating by individuals as well as schools. For example, there are annual News reports about caught teachers who were bribed by parents for test answers. Cheating cases have been reported to have doubled in four years and seems to be increasing. While the National Assembly of Education Committee is said to seek measures to prevent cheating in “CSATs in which fairness is critical”, perhaps the educational system should seek measures that decreases the overwhelming emphasis put on CSAT scores.
It is easy to criticize the test for its lack of validity or its questionable role as a critical determinant of one’s future but it is more difficult to implement a change in the system that has been part of the educational culture since the 60’s, which is going to be fair for all students. However, there certainly needs to be a subtle and gradual shift away from the heavy reliance in CSATs in South Korea’s educational system and society.
References & Picture Sources:
http://0.soompi.io/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Screen-Shot-2012-11-07-at-4.13.58-PM.png
http://cfile202.uf.daum.net/image/123281044CE2BFDA2DDA60
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/11/116_190644.html
