Repeaters Likely to Increase

The third year student of Seoul ‘S’ high school, Kim OO (18) has 320 scores as a result of a temporary marking after the Academic Aptitude Test was finished. His score is in a difficult level to pass the top ranking university as seen in a guideline published the academic institute. However, he plans to do ‘plucky application’ for Korea University and Yonsei University.

He asked a question in return, “After I saw the news reporting ‘high school graduates have the higher scores for the academic aptitude test, I think I can increase the scores if I study one more year. The time is not a matter. The important thing is that I can go to a desired university.”

As there are many students who consider another studying year and so apply bravely, teachers are in trouble consulting with students.

The analysis says that the scores of high school graduates overall increased but one of registered students decreased. So, students said each other “Studying for a next change will be beneficial”.

Jeon In-gil, teacher of Gyeongbok High School in Seoul said, “Many students think to apply with 10~20 scores higher over their own scores. So, teachers worry about how to advise them”.

Teachers are terribly perplexed by such a situation saying, “We cannot prevent students applying for universities which require higher scores over their own scores because students and their parents ask.

Another high schools have the similar situations. One teacher said “Because the graduates have the higher scores over registered students, students seem to have a lingering affection for the college entrance exam for the next chance.”

Hence, high schools teachers are afraid whether the 4 years university entrance rate could drop over last year.

A vice schoolmaster of ‘K’ high school in Seoul said, “the exam was difficult and many questions required a thinking power and experience. So, graduates had an advantage over students. Each year, such situation will be severe if not changed in the type of exam.”

Academic institutes in Gangnam and Noryangjin have a lot of inquiry calls from students and parents. ‘K’ institute’s official said, “From the next day of the academic aptitude test, there are 20~30 calls to inquire the institute registration.”

Lee Jae-woo, head of education consulting office, TopPlus advised, “Thee is a strong tendency of registered students, but to some extent is exaggerated. Studying one more year cannot always bring about the high scores. Students don’t need to apply downward or pluckily.”

Seong-Chul Hong sungchul@donga.com