This thursday was the National college entrance exam for the students of South Korea. 700,000 students took a nine hour test which will determine whether r not they get into college. It is similar to the SAT we take here in the United States, but students can only take this test once and if they do not pass, they do not go to college.
This test is so important that airplanes were not permitted flying above any testing location in fear of distracting the students. Work days for parents also start an hour later so the parents can get their children to the testing ste without getting stuck in traffic which can make them late.
should a test be allowed to determine one's future?
Monday, November 16, 2009
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That is intense.
Too intense in my opinion.
A person is not going to be taking a test in the future as their job. So why should a test determine a person's future (considering how advantageous it is to have a college degree)?
Granted, tests are a somewhat reliable source when it comes to measuring how much a student understands of a subject, but they are not the best source of measuring ability in a certain area alone. How successful a person will be must come from their ability to actually perform something as well, considering that this is what they will be doing in the future.
-Yuzo Yanagitsuru
Definately a good thing. These tests cull out the weak from the strong. They determine who is strong enough to ascend to college and who stays behind. Our reliance on second chances (or more in many cases) has polluted our elite caste of students who actually deserves to go to college.
If you think about it, high school is not really an education system, but a proving ground. We compete other students for a spot in college. Teachers are here to sort out the weak from the strong minded, and grades are used to forever brand people who fail - essentially their fates are sealed. Counselors, however, provide a chance for these losers to redeem themselves. The true failures that are beyond hope, however, will end up scrounging around the trash for bits of food as they struggle to survive (okay, it's a bit exaggerated, but you get the point). The champions, however, are handpicked by universities to ascend to a more properous future.
Here, only the strongest survive - a theme fitting for a capitalist society.
Just a comparison and some food for thought. Take it lightly, or not. :P
I agree with Yuzo. This is just another example about how the world is taking standardized testing much, much too far. Sure, it's another way to hold students against each other, but it shouldn't be the determining factor. So many studies have shown that standardized testing is simply a measure of how well you can take tests, not your intelligence. Many U.S. universities seem to be recognizing this, and following a trend of putting less emphasis on the SAT and ACT. Hopefully (for those poor South Korean student's sanity...they, too, will realize this)
"These tests cull out the weak from the strong. They determine who is strong enough to ascend to college and who stays behind. Our reliance on second chances (or more in many cases) has polluted our elite caste of students who actually deserves to go to college."
I have to say, Kevin that I don't quite agree with your opinion. Yes, there is an element of social darwinism (I believe this is kind of what you were getting at) in the college application process, but I don't think that these test scores should be the culminating factor of who "deserves" to go to college. Whoever has the will and desire to go to college should have the right to a higher education...it's ridiculous to think that one test can stop a person from this.
As far as "weak" vs. "strong" I think that tests don't really determine who is "strong"...and what are they "strong" at? Paying hundreds of dollars to recieve tutoring in order to get into the testmaker's mind? So much of the system is so corrupt and so little depends on intelligence.
-Katie Jensen
Two of my cousins took this test this year! It's a huge deal. Although "gpa" is taken into account for college entrance, "gpa" is mostly a mere supplement to this test.
I think it is outrageous too. Seniors stay at school until 12 o clock at night months before this test. Afterwards, the majority of them go straight to preperatory classes for additional tutoring. Moms often take a year off during their son/daughter's senior year to cook them the best food and be able to prepare them well.
However, I think there are reasons for such action. Unlike the SATs, this test can only be taken once a year. A majority of the students who do poorly have to take a gap year to prepare for the next test.
Although I do agree with Yuzo and Katie regarding the intensity of this nine hour exam, I believe it is a more accurate depiction of a student's potential and intellectual vitality as opposed to the SATs because for their whole senior year, seniors focus on only this one test.They do not cover anything except test material at school. While some english teachers do try to help us with SAT vocabulary, that is often times it.
I dont know too much about the content of the test, but I think the process, environment, and test is quite different from the SATs. Even in Korea much protest for education reform exists.
I agree with Yuzo and Katie. Having a test that last 9 hours should not determine the rest of someone's life. Yes tests are a good way of measuring intelligence, but intelligence isn't the only thing that will help you survive in the real world. Tests do not completely measure how well people can respond to real life situations in the workplace. Also, if people work hard enough, they deserve a chance to succeed, not because they weren't smart enough to pass some test.
I totally agree with Katie. I understand the value in standardized tests, but I don't think they necessarily reflect who everyone is as a person. They may show a certain kind of intelligence, but being a good standardized test taker doesn't necessarily mean you're exceptionally smart (the math is from years ago for some people ... the SAT doesn't test in science...etc) or a well rounded person. Do we really want the world to be run only by those who can ace a grammatical timed test? Because, honestly, some really smart and amazing people don't do amazing on standardized tests. Also, the fact that the students in South Korea can only take the test once, on one day, is ridiculous. For the sake of current relevance, what if they have H1N1? Are they going to do their best on a test that determines their entire future then? It's just insane.
Yes, I know how cruel a nine hour test is in determining the course of one's life, but I said what I said because...
1. It's always entertaining to watch people struggle for survival (Come on, don't lie. You know you like it too).
2. These tests can be replaced by intelligence-measuring tests too.
3. It's a capitalist society. It's what the GOP wanted, and now it's what we've got. Don't direct your indignation at me; turn towards the people who are really responsible for the way things are.
I heard some kids who had H1N1 weren't even allowed in the room to take the test because it would be a disturbance to other kids. That sucks. A waste of two years...
Why not just drop everything and play Starcraft?
I find there is a pro to this whole thing. A lot of people are negative about it because it's different and now how it works here and such. It is a good system, I won't deny that. It really prepares a student to work hard and rewards them highly. Also, it's either you work your butt off for it or you say screw it, there is no in between on this. It really does weed out the difference between who cares and who doesn't. It sure does limit creativity and extra curriculars, but our system, with its emphasis on the extras, does limit a little of our textbook learning..
There are pros and cons to this situation.
Well I think you have to see the context of the situation. Many countries in Asia have a rigorous education system, easily surpassing what we have here (speaking from experience). In a way, they are suited for exams like these. Such an intense program would generally produce better results academically. The idea that one test will determine whether kids will get into college or not is also a huge factor that would probably motivate them into doing something well.
But I have to agree with Michael in that intelligence is not the key to everything. And I dislike the education system for people's mentality's are built around tests. They have tests daily. What I also don't agree with is that that one single test is the determining factor of the students "future." I prefer the system here where we have extracurriculars and essays that would benefit applicants. That, in my opinion, is a better method of seeing what type of person someone truly is as opposed to merely one test score.
"1. It's always entertaining to watch people struggle for survival (Come on, don't lie. You know you like it too)."
I'm going to go ahead and disagree. I really don't find it amusing to watch people struggle for survival. I'll admit to finding it amusing to watch people struggle with minor things, like riding a bike or something (we've all seen "fail" videos), but I think watching someone fail at surviving is kind of sad.
"3. It's a capitalist society. It's what the GOP wanted, and now it's what we've got. Don't direct your indignation at me; turn towards the people who are really responsible for the way things are."
I also kind of disagree with this. I'm not saying communism is better, but I don't think the founding fathers intended capitalism to be like what the South Koreans are imposing on students. I think capitalism means providing the potential for anyone to succeed, not trying to limit those who do succeed, which is what I think this test does.
"1. It's always entertaining to watch people struggle for survival (Come on, don't lie. You know you like it too)."
So tell me Kevin, do you enjoy watching people scream in pain as they try to get out of the contraptions in the Saw movies..?
"I'll admit to finding it amusing to watch people struggle with minor things, like riding a bike or something (we've all seen "fail" videos")
Ah good times. Although i'm going to admit, i don't really think of it as people's struggles for survival, more so of the human's capacity of stupidity. Know that half the time one fails in the video is because they did something that otherwise could have been avoided. I still find it funny though.
And to get back to the 9 hour test,
even if you were the smartest guy in the school who was capable of doing anything, it wouldn't do you any good if your stamina just blew out halfway through the test.
"but I don't think the founding fathers intended capitalism to be like what the South Koreans are imposing on students. I think capitalism means providing the potential for anyone to succeed, not trying to limit those who do succeed, which is what I think this test does."
Our founding fathers knew just how cruel the competition would be. They knew that there would be poor people because they were unfortunate in life, and they knew that large companies could spring up from dominating the competition. *coughBritishEastIndiaTeaCompanycough*
They knew education would be key to success. Getting into colleges was probably even harder than today because they were so elitists.
"So tell me Kevin, do you enjoy watching people scream in pain as they try to get out of the contraptions in the Saw movies..?"
I somehow knew this argument would be brought up.
When we see somebody being tortured to death, most of us would not feel ecstatic pleasure from viewing it. However, we gain an extra appreciation for just about everything in our lives - food, water, air, even the dirt on the ground - because we are relieved that we are not the one being tortured to death.
"if you were the smartest guy in the school who was capable of doing anything, it wouldn't do you any good if your stamina just blew out halfway through the test."
That's why before taking perhaps the most intense test in their lives, they need to prepare by getting plenty of rest and healthy food at least weeks before the test starts. I don't think teachers are so cruel that they'll assign extra homework during preparation. The test isn't perfect, sure, but it can be changed - most of you, by the tone of your responses, want this test completely removed.
I totally agree with Michael. I think, yes it does measure someone's intelligence. But I feel like standardized tests fail to measure a person's work ethic and commitment. "Our reliance on second chances (or more in many cases) has polluted our elite caste of students who actually deserves to go to college." I disagree, because I feel that many people, who work hard, def deserve to go to college. To me at least, it doesn't seem like college should be for the "elite," rather than people who want to learn and pursue a career. I don't think it should be so selective, like what I am interrupting I thin you mean. In the work field, a person's success depends on how hard they work. Also, it kind of seems like a nine hour test is way too long; it kind of also test a person's endurance too. But it's really crazy how serious South Korea takes it (with the planes and stuff). It seems like they stress one test way too much, without factoring all the other reasons a person should get into college.
They have the similar test in France and Algeria called the bacaloria. I know that in Algeria, only 39-45% pass it the first time and generally have only 3 chances to take it. Relatives I know who passed it would have to study like crazy-waking up at 5 am and working til late at nights consistently for a year, and even that doesn't guarantee their passing of the test.
This is so intense. I don't really think a test can determine how well students will do in college. It is also really unfair for those who don't pass. Tests can help measure how well a student is in a particular subject. But it is not the best in measuring how well they can perform in a different area-such as how well they can communicate with others or how much experience they have when it comes to looking for a job in the future. If someone must be successful, there is more to it than just how intelligent they are in one area that doesn't even matter at the moment. One test should not determine an individual's future.
As much as I'm not a fan of the long and tedious process of getting into college here in the states, I much prefer it over that of the system in South Korea. I agree with pretty much everyone in saying that this is a bit extreme. I mean what about the students who are very smart but bad at taking tests, what will their future be like without college? These students are the future and if some of the wrong students end up in college instead of those who actually are more qualified, that could only be hurting South Korea.
OMG SOUTH KOREA IS ONE OF THE MOST CAPITALIST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD!!!!! Seriously, they're only behind Japan and the good ol' US of A.
The massive test is more a symptom of some aspect of modern Asian culture. Japan has an almost identical system. In fact, they have tests that determine whether or not you even qualify to take the real test. I personally disapprove of this system highly. Every year, when the results are released, there is a massive spike in suicides in people our age. This is why Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. These tests, and the cookie cutter personality that the Japanese corporate system rewards.
Wow...this is pretty ridiculous. I think that the South Korean students should be able to take the test more than once because some people get nervous when they are in a test. Also, the fact that it takes nine hours to complete the test is absurd. They should cut it down to three or four hours or something reasonable.
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