I have three questions pertaining to Korean high school life, as well as information about U.S school life.

1. After seniors take their CSATs / 수능, do they continue to go to school afterward? I've seen videos of some Koreans throwing their textbooks in the bin right before taking the test, saying that there's no use for them anymore, and I wasn't sure how true that was. In the U.S (or at least in Texas), we take our required SAT in October of senior year but continue going to school all the way until May/June.

The SAT is also administrated multiple times a year, so you can schedule to take/retake it many times to get the score you want. There's also the ACT, but I didn't take it. A lot of universities don't require the ACT, so if your SAT score is good, you don't have to bother with the ACT. Also, I didn't apply to any prestigious university, but if you want to go to one, definitely take the ACT. We still have tests and material to learn before the school year is up despite finishing these exams. We also take AP exams in May. AP courses are college-level classes you can take in high school, and if you pass your AP exam at the end of the year, it counts as college credit. A cheaper alternative to paying thousands upon thousands of dollars for general studies at a four-year university here. Most students get college acceptance letters in March or April.

2. What happens to students who fail the 수능? Do they have to retake senior year as well? Or just the test? Students who "fail" the SAT in the states usually just have a harder time getting into college, but as I said, if you fail one SAT, you can retake it at a later date. If you failed in October, you can do just fine in March. But you don't have to repeat school or anything, because your SAT test's grade is applied outside of your high school, if that makes sense.

3. I heard that if you miss the 수능, even by accident, they make you wait until next year before taking it again. What do people usually do during that time? Do colleges take Korean students even without a 수능 score?

Question

I have three questions pertaining to Korean high school life, as well as information about U.S school life.

1. After seniors take their CSATs / 수능, do they continue to go to school afterward? I've seen videos of some Koreans throwing their textbooks in the bin right before taking the test, saying that there's no use for them anymore, and I wasn't sure how true that was. In the U.S (or at least in Texas), we take our required SAT in October of senior year but continue going to school all the way until May/June.

The SAT is also administrated multiple times a year, so you can schedule to take/retake it many times to get the score you want. There's also the ACT, but I didn't take it. A lot of universities don't require the ACT, so if your SAT score is good, you don't have to bother with the ACT. Also, I didn't apply to any prestigious university, but if you want to go to one, definitely take the ACT. We still have tests and material to learn before the school year is up despite finishing these exams. We also take AP exams in May. AP courses are college-level classes you can take in high school, and if you pass your AP exam at the end of the year, it counts as college credit. A cheaper alternative to paying thousands upon thousands of dollars for general studies at a four-year university here. Most students get college acceptance letters in March or April.

2. What happens to students who fail the 수능? Do they have to retake senior year as well? Or just the test? Students who "fail" the SAT in the states usually just have a harder time getting into college, but as I said, if you fail one SAT, you can retake it at a later date. If you failed in October, you can do just fine in March. But you don't have to repeat school or anything, because your SAT test's grade is applied outside of your high school, if that makes sense.

3. I heard that if you miss the 수능, even by accident, they make you wait until next year before taking it again. What do people usually do during that time? Do colleges take Korean students even without a 수능 score?

ilovecupcake · Answer

1. 학교에 갑니다. 수능을 목요일에 보는 이유도 그 다음날 학생들이 학교에 정상적으로 등교하는 것을 보기 위해서라는 얘기도 있어요. (수능을 망치고 극단적인 선택을 할 수도 있으니까) 믿거나 말거나하는 이야기입니다. 수능이 끝난 후 기말고사가 있기는 한데, 큰 의미가 없기 때문에 대부분 크게 신경쓰지 않습니다. 선생님들도 문제를 쉽게 내기도 하고요. 기말고사가 끝나면 겨울방학이 시작되기 까지 약 1달의 시간이 있는데, 수업시간에 하지 못했던 교과서 밖의 이야기를 가르치거나, 진로 탐색 등 자기계발을 하도록 유도하거나, 그냥 재미있는 얘기를 해 주시는 선생님도 있고, 영화를 보기도 합니다. 그 밖의 시간은 대부분 자습인데요, 이 시간에 운전 면허나 토익 등 자격증 시험을 공부하는 학생들도 있는가 하면 그냥 노는 학생들도 많습니다. 시끄럽게 떠들지만 않으면 게임을 해도 자유롭게 허용해줍니다.

2. 수능에서 안 좋은 성적을 받는다고 해도 3학년을 다시 다녀야 하는 것은 아닙니다. 두가지는 별개에요. 대부분은 그 다음해에 성인이 되어 수능 공부를 다시 하게 됩니다. 이것을 '재수'라고 하고, 재수를 하는 학생을 '재수생'이라고 부릅니다.

3. 대부분은 다시 수능 공부를 하면서 수능 때까지 기다려야 합니다.

2. 수능에서 안 좋은 성적을 받는다고 해도 3학년을 다시 다녀야 하는 것은 아닙니다. 두가지는 별개에요. 대부분은 그 다음해에 성인이 되어 수능 공부를 다시 하게 됩니다. 이것을 '재수'라고 하고, 재수를 하는 학생을 '재수생'이라고 부릅니다.

3. 대부분은 다시 수능 공부를 하면서 수능 때까지 기다려야 합니다.