K-Education: Korean High School Life

Writer: Chhavi Sharma (Surat, Gujarat, India)

Editor: Divya Sonawane (Pune, Maharashtra, India)

The education system in South Korea operates on a 6–3–3–4 structure, consisting of six years of elementary school, three years of middle school, three years of high school, and approximately four years of college or university. According to the Korean age system, elementary school students are typically 7–12 years old, middle school students are 13–15 years old, and high school students are 16–18 years old.

In 1987, approximately 4,895,354 students were enrolled in middle and high schools across South Korea. High school, in particular, is regarded as a decisive phase in a student’s academic life. Students are expected to study intensely to prepare for their final examinations, which play a crucial role in determining university admissions. To remain competitive and secure admission to prestigious universities, students often dedicate long hours to studying.

Although regular school hours usually end around 4:00 PM, many students do not return home. Instead, they stay back at school for self-study sessions known as “Yaja.” During Yaja, students typically study until 10:00 PM or even midnight, with a short dinner break in between. This extended study routine has become a defining feature of Korean high school life.

A popular Korean saying reflects this intense academic culture:

“If you sleep for three hours, you may get into a SKY University. If you sleep for four hours, you may get into another university. If you sleep for five or more hours, you may not get into any university.”

This saying emphasizes the extreme pressure placed on students, suggesting that sacrificing sleep is necessary to gain admission into the top three universities—Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University, collectively known as “SKY.” As a result, high school students often have little to no personal time. Celebrating birthdays, attending family functions, or going on holidays is frequently avoided. Even when school trips are offered, some students decline out of fear of falling behind academically.

All of this relentless effort culminates in the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), also known as Suneung (수능), conducted by the Ministry of Education. The CSAT is considered one of the most important and challenging examinations in South Korea, as it serves as the primary university entrance exam. It is usually held on the third Thursday of November, although in 2020 it was postponed to December due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the day of the CSAT, the entire country adapts to support the examinees. Stock markets open late, public transportation services are increased to prevent traffic delays, and aircraft are grounded to reduce noise near test centers. In some cases, students running late are even escorted by police officers. Families and younger students gather outside examination centers to cheer and encourage the test-takers, highlighting the national significance of the exam.

The CSAT lasts for nearly eight hours and includes six sections: Korean Language, Korean History, English, Second Foreign Language, Subordinate Subjects, and Classics, with short breaks in between.

High schools in Korea are also categorized into different specialty tracks based on students’ interests and career goals. Apart from regular public high schools, students can attend science, foreign language, international, or arts high schools by passing entrance examinations. Although high school attendance is not legally mandatory (unlike middle school), a 2005 study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported that nearly 97% of South Korean young adults complete high school, reflecting the country’s strong emphasis on education.

What do you think about the South Korean high school system? Would you be able to handle such long study hours and pressure? Share your thoughts in the comments below!