Blind students in South Korea are facing one of the longest and most daunting challenges when it comes to college entrance exams. The Suneung exam, a national requirement for entry into higher education, is notorious for its rigors and long hours.
Every November, millions of students across the country sit down for the eight-hour test, beginning at 08:40 in the morning. However, blind students are given an extended version of the test, which can last up to 21:48, nearly 13 hours after it starts. This marathon session is made even more daunting by the physical demands of reading braille and using screen-reading technology.
Seventeen-year-old Han Donghyun from Seoul School for the Blind is one such student who will be sitting this extended version of the test. Born completely blind, Donghyun's fingers move quickly across a braille practice booklet as he prepares to tackle the exam. Despite his determination and focus, even he acknowledges that it's "really exhausting" due to the sheer length of the test.
Another student at Hanbit School for the Blind, Oh Jeong-won, echoes similar sentiments about the strain of managing both physical fatigue and mental exhaustion during the long test period. Both students highlight the importance of access to study materials in braille, a resource that sighted students take for granted.
For these blind students, the Suneung exam is not just a means to secure their future; it's also a testament to their perseverance and resilience. Their teacher, Kang Seok-ju, notes that "reading braille means tracing raised dots with your fingertips," which can be physically taxing. However, she urges her students to focus on completion rather than disappointment and encourages them to leave the exam feeling proud of what they've achieved.
The Suneung exam is a defining moment in the lives of these young individuals, showcasing their ability to overcome obstacles and push through difficulties. It's a stark contrast to the experiences of sighted students, who face much more manageable testing conditions.
Every November, millions of students across the country sit down for the eight-hour test, beginning at 08:40 in the morning. However, blind students are given an extended version of the test, which can last up to 21:48, nearly 13 hours after it starts. This marathon session is made even more daunting by the physical demands of reading braille and using screen-reading technology.
Seventeen-year-old Han Donghyun from Seoul School for the Blind is one such student who will be sitting this extended version of the test. Born completely blind, Donghyun's fingers move quickly across a braille practice booklet as he prepares to tackle the exam. Despite his determination and focus, even he acknowledges that it's "really exhausting" due to the sheer length of the test.
Another student at Hanbit School for the Blind, Oh Jeong-won, echoes similar sentiments about the strain of managing both physical fatigue and mental exhaustion during the long test period. Both students highlight the importance of access to study materials in braille, a resource that sighted students take for granted.
For these blind students, the Suneung exam is not just a means to secure their future; it's also a testament to their perseverance and resilience. Their teacher, Kang Seok-ju, notes that "reading braille means tracing raised dots with your fingertips," which can be physically taxing. However, she urges her students to focus on completion rather than disappointment and encourages them to leave the exam feeling proud of what they've achieved.
The Suneung exam is a defining moment in the lives of these young individuals, showcasing their ability to overcome obstacles and push through difficulties. It's a stark contrast to the experiences of sighted students, who face much more manageable testing conditions.
and they have to do it in braille which is already super hard on fingers & hands anyway i wish they had easier access to study materials & tech that can help with screen-reading 
i mean its not just about the exam itself but also how well they cope w/ stress & fatigue throughout the whole process 
it's like, totally exhausting even the teachers are saying it means tracing raised dots with your fingertips is hard work 
so yeah, these blind students need way more support than what they're getting right now 
. I mean, I get it, they gotta have equal chances as everyone else, but can't we find a way to make the test more accessible? Like, braille study materials would be super helpful, and maybe some tech solutions to help with screen-reading 
. They need a break, or like, a chance to rest their hands and eyes 
. It's amazing what they can achieve despite the obstacles 
. Let's just hope we can find some solutions to make the Suneung exam more inclusive and less exhausting 
.
I feel so bad for those blind students in South Korea having to take this 13-hour test 
. Can't they just have a regular 8-hour exam like everyone else? 
. It's all about perseverance and resilience, but what if they just need a break? 
dont get me wrong, i got total respect 4 their strength & perseverance, but cant they just have a regular test like every1 else? 