By Yeni So and Daewoung K

SEOUL (Reuters – Over half a million South Koreans took the annual college entrance exam on Thursday. Pandemic rules added stress to this eight-hour event, which is considered life-defining in Asia’s fourth largest economy.

The test-takers this year didn’t have to face the uncertainties and delays of last year’s pandemic-era exam, but the COVID-19 measures left their marks on the College Scholastic’s (NASDAQ:] Ability (OTC) Test (CSAT). This is widely considered an indispensable tool for landing one job in a competive society.

Ahn Jeongmin, 17, said that coronavirus prevented her from attending private schools, study rooms and school. “I’m still vaccinated and all exam participants will use face masks or partitions, so I feel comfortable and can pass the exam without too much worry.”

According to the education ministry, more than 509,000 graduates, high school seniors and other people have registered to take the five-session, single-day exam at 1 251 testing sites across the country.

The ministry stated that at least 173 individuals who have tested positive for coronavirus will be given the test in hospitals and separate examination centres.

Thursday morning was marked by traditional society-wide support for test-takers. The country’s financial market opened an hour earlier than normal to alleviate traffic.

According to officials, commercial air traffic will be suspended in the middle of the afternoon. Meanwhile, U.S. and South Korean warplanes will be grounded. Live-fire drills throughout the day will also stop.

We’re trying to minimize distractions so that you keep your score up! U.S. Forces-Korea (USFK) tweeted the following: It includes approximately 28,500 American soldiers stationed in South Korea.

Pandemics meant that other traditions, more loud, to wish test-takers well went unheard.

There was no cheering from high school seniors, praying parents or classmates outside of Seoul.

Lee Eugene is a mother who claimed she had an older son take the test last years. She said that her son did better this year because schools offered more personal learning.

She said, “He was in that situation and he studied well. I wish him good luck.”