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Korea's college exam day

TRAVEL TIPS · UPDATED NOV 2, 2026

Date

Thu Nov 19, 2026 · exam 8:40 AM – 5:45 PM

Flights

Takeoff and landing times adjusted 1:10–1:35 PM (English listening test)

Subway

Extra trains in Greater Seoul 6:00–8:10 AM

Exam sites

1,312 nationwide · cars stopped 200 m before each one

♡ Save

On Thursday, Nov 19, 2026, 551,864 students sit Korea's college entrance exam (CSAT, or Suneung). From 1:10 to 1:35 PM, during the English listening test, aircraft and helicopter takeoff and landing times are adjusted. Here's what that means for your flight, plus the morning subway, commute and exam-site rules.

Incheon Airport control tower and Terminal 2 · Photo: Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Your flight on Nov 19

1. 1:10–1:35Takeoff and landing times are adjusted for 25 minutes

   The English listening test (Period 3) runs from 1:10 to 1:35 PM. To keep it quiet, the government adjusts aircraft and helicopter takeoff and landing times in that window, and army drills such as artillery fire and tank movements pause (Ministry of Education, Oct 20, 2026).

2. CHECKFlying between about 1 and 2 PM? Watch your airline's app

   Flight-by-flight changes are set by the transport ministry and airlines and usually reach passengers through the airline. Turn on notifications for your booking that week.

3. AIRPORTGive yourself extra time in the morning

   Our tip: roads near schools are slower in the morning, and the 10 AM commute shifts later than usual. Leave a little earlier for the airport train or bus.

In Seoul that morning

1. 6:00–8:10Extra subway trains, full of students

   Subway service in the Seoul metropolitan area is increased from 6:00 to 8:10 AM while students travel to exam sites. Expect busy trains; let students go first.

2. 10 AMOffices and companies are asked to start at 10 AM or later

   Government offices and companies are asked to push the start of the working day back to reduce morning traffic.

3. 200 MCars are stopped 200 m before each exam site

   Vehicles can't drive up to the 1,312 exam sites; people arriving by car get out early and walk. Our tip: if you take a taxi that morning, expect detours near high schools.

4. QUIETBuses and trains slow down near schools and avoid horns

   Events, construction and other noise near exam sites are kept to a minimum all day. Keep your voice down if you walk past a school.

   오늘 수능이라 조용히 해야 하죠?Copy

Why the whole country goes quiet

1. CSATOne exam, most of a student's university chances

   The College Scholastic Ability Test (수학능력시험, 'Suneung') is taken by 551,864 students in 2026. On the morning you'll see parents and younger students cheering outside school gates.

2. 5:45 PMWhen it ends

   The exam runs from 8:40 AM to 5:45 PM; students with test accommodations can finish later in the evening.

Say it in Korean (show this screen)

1. Is my flight time changed because of the exam?

   Su-neung ttae-mun-e bi-haeng si-gan ba-kkwi-eot-na-yo?

   수능 때문에 비행 시간 바뀌었나요?Copy
2. Please drop me here; I'll walk.

   Yeo-gi-seo nae-ryeo ju-se-yo, geo-reo-gal-ge-yo.

   여기서 내려 주세요, 걸어갈게요.Copy
3. Good luck on your exam!

   Su-neung dae-bak!

   수능 대박!Copy

Local tips

• The government's notice says takeoff and landing times are 'adjusted'; it doesn't list cancellations. If your airline changes your flight, it will tell you.
• Our tip: plan a slow morning. Museums and shops open as usual; the crowds are on the subway before 8:10 AM and on the roads near schools.

FAQ

Sources: Korea.kr (Ministry of Education): Nov 19 CSAT support measures, Oct 20, 2026 · Kyunghyang Shinmun: exam-day commute and flight adjustments, Oct 20, 2026

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