Sshhh.....no honking!

     When I started my first class this morning, some of the students asked me if I knew that today was the day of a rather large test for high school seniors. They said it was very important and that much depends on one's results. I asked if it was a nation wide thing and they told me it was. I believed them but I didn't realize quite how big this thing was. Then I read the following in the newspaper during lunch. Seems it affects more than just one's future.

Morning rush hour adjusted for college test
The morning rush hour and public transportation schedule will be adjusted Thursday for the annual state-run examination for college admission. 

The College Scholastic Ability Test, a key decider of college entrance, will take place throughout the nation on Thursday. 

Government offices and companies with over 50 employees advised their employees on Wednesday to come to work one hour late to alleviate traffic for students heading to test sites, government officials said.

And more subways trains and buses will be put into operation, extending the 7-to-9 morning rush hour operation by two hours to 6-to-10.

Buses stopping at test sites will post signs to help students easily recognize which buses to take. They will also make a special announcement before stopping at the locations.

The Korean military will forbid all jets and helicopters from taking off or landing during the Korean and English language listening comprehension tests for 23 minutes around 8 a.m. and for 30 minutes around 1 p.m. The U.S. military also will stop their training so that students can take the test quietly.

The National Police Agency asked drivers not to honk near test sites and construction companies to halt construction temporarily during the audio test.

The police will arrange cars and motorcycles to help students arrive on time for the exam. Students can just dial 112 and ask for their help. A team of parent volunteers also will mobilize motorcycles and cars.

As the police will restrict traffic and parking within 200 meters of the test places, students may have to unload from cars and walk to their test places, police said.

This year, a total of 693,634 students will take the test, 2.6 percent down from last year, at 1,207 testing locations from 8:40 a.m. to 5:35 p.m.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldm.com)