Today’s theme: Tests

(in time for Suneung 수능, college scholastic ability test)

This week on A Little of a Lot we are discussing "tests" as the Korean Suneung (수능) SAT exams approach. The word exam comes to us today from both Latin and French origins - the middle English version of the word examine actually originally meant to “test one’s conscience according to a standard”. But tests are now used to measure a whole slew of things, from movies to IQs, taxi drivers to personalities.

Some argue that standardized tests such as SATS and 수능 are now simply IQ tests designed to filter us into the appropriate level universities and then the appropriate jobs according to our intelligence.

>>>The Conversationalist with

Kate Lee and Ju Young Lee

Students from Seoul Women’s University

“Can you describe the day of Suneung when you took it? What was the subject that gave you the biggest challenge? How did your teachers motivate you to study? How much impact do you think Suneung has on you now?”

&

Anna Choi

analyst at OECD’s center for educational research and innovation

Korea’s college entrance rate is relatively high among OECD nations - about 70% of Koreans go to college, whereas the average is 40% among OECD. Why is this the case?

The race towards elite colleges starts very early in Korea. Even elementary students go to Hagwons(private institutions) to learn materials in advance. What are some of the side effects of this competitiveness?

>>>Media Monster

ZX Spectrum

>>>Next week: Credibility of restaurant guides