Every November in South Korea, something truly extraordinary happens — a moment when an entire nation collectively slows down, falls silent, and turns its focus to one single event: the Suneung (수능), Korea’s national university entrance exam.
And this Thursday, November 13, 2025, is that day. For 25 minutes, from 13:10 to 13:35, South Korea will quite literally hold its breath — planes will stop landing, cars will stop honking, and even construction sites will pause. All for one reason: to help more than 550,000 students take their English listening test in peace.
 |
| King Sejong The Great at Gwanghwamoon Square in Seoul |
What Is the Suneung Exam (수능)?
The Suneung, officially known as the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), is the most important exam in South Korea. It determines university admission, job opportunities, and often shapes the future path of every student who takes it.
For months — even years — students study day and night to prepare for this single day. Families, schools, and communities rally behind them, creating a powerful symbol of national unity.
2025 Suneung Exam Schedule (for 2026 Academic Year)
The exam covers multiple subjects, testing both academic knowledge and focus under pressure:
- Korean Language: 08:40 – 10:00
- Mathematics: 10:30 – 12:10
- English: 13:10 – 14:20 (Listening: 13:10 – 13:35)
- Electives (History, Social Studies, Science, Vocational): 14:50 – 16:37
Students must arrive at their test centers before 8:10 AM — even a few minutes late means disqualification.
Special Measures Across the Country
To ensure students arrive safely and on time, South Korea transforms its entire schedule on Suneung Day:
🚫 No vehicles are allowed within 200 meters of test centers.The 25 Minutes of Silence: 13:10 – 13:35
During the English listening test, the entire country falls silent.
- Airports suspend takeoffs and landings.
- Public transportation slows down and avoids honking.
- Construction sites and factories stop work.
- Even military training and live-fire drills are paused.
It’s a level of national cooperation that few countries in the world can match — all to ensure that students can clearly hear every word of the test audio.
National Support Beyond the Classroom
The Korea Meteorological Administration releases special localized weather forecasts for every test site starting November 7. Police guard exam papers like state secrets, while schools undergo strict safety and security inspections.
This remarkable effort reflects how deeply education and collective responsibility are valued in Korean culture.
More Than an Exam: A Nation’s Day of Unity
Suneung Day is more than just an exam day — it’s a day when the entire nation unites for its youth. Parents wait outside schools with prayers and hot drinks, police clear the roads, pilots adjust flight schedules, and office workers begin their day later, all to support the students taking one of the biggest tests of their lives.
The 25 minutes of silence on November 13, 2025, serve as a reminder of South Korea’s deep respect for education, discipline, and community spirit. It’s a uniquely Korean tradition — one that continues to inspire people around the world.
So if you’re in Korea this Thursday, take a moment to listen — or rather, not listen — and feel the silence that carries the dreams of half a million students. 🌸✍️
SEO Keywords:
Suneung 2025, Korean university entrance exam, South Korea exam day, Korean education system, College Scholastic Ability Test, 25 minutes of silence, Korean culture, Study in Korea, 수능 2025, Korean student life