In brief
The Suneung exam forces South Korea to come to a standstill as over 550,000 students partake in this crucial assessment. Blind students, however, face unique challenges. Their version of the exam can stretch up to 13 hours due to additional time for braille materials, causing immense physical and mental fatigue. Students like Han Dong-hyun and Oh Jeong-won exemplify resilience as they tackle this massive test amidst numerous barriers. The ongoing struggle for more accessible study materials and timely braille resources remains a significant issue for blind students seeking equal opportunities.
Every November, South Korea comes to a standstill for its infamous college entrance exam, the Suneung. Shops are shut, flights are delayed to reduce noise, and even the rhythm of the morning commute slows down for the students.
By late afternoon, most test-takers walk out of school gates, exhaling with relief. However, not everyone finishes that hour. Some students linger in the exam room until nearly 10 PM — particularly blind students, who spend more than 12 hours taking the longest version of the exam.
On a particularly crowded testing day, more than 550,000 students sit for the Suneung — the highest number of applicants in seven years. Of those, about 111 blind students take on the challenge, most undergoing significant challenges including thicker braille exam materials and extended testing durations.
Test-takers experience a marathon of exams that can last up to 13 hours. From 08:40 to around 21:48, blind students engage with braille versions that are 6 to 9 times thicker than standard test packets. As many report, the test can be exhausting without any dinner break, compounded by increased physical strain from reading tactile dots for hours on end.
Students like Han Dong-hyun face additional struggles due to the intricacy of braille content, with critical sections like Korean language growing as complex as 100 pages. On a practice day, Han described his routine, focusing on endurance and resilience: There's no special trick. I just follow my study schedule.
Despite considerable challenges, students express their commitment to seize this opportunity as a testament to their resilience. There's almost nothing you can do in life without perseverance, said Jeong-won, as students faced further hurdles in accessing adequate study materials, spotlighting barriers that impair equal access in their educational journey.
The ongoing battle for improved accessibility in study resources continues as those at Hanbit School for the Blind prepare for their last Suneung attempts, hoping their endurance will shine through.
