⏰ 2027 Suneung season

2027 Suneung timetable — periods 1–5 and what to bring

The exam-day timetable for Thursday, November 19, 2026, with break routines and the items to bring, all on one page.

2027 Suneung timetable (general examinees)

  1. All examinees seated · by 08:10
  2. Period 1Korean Language

    08:40 ~ 10:00 · 80 min · 45 Qs

  3. Break · 10:00 ~ 10:20 (20 min)
  4. Period 2Mathematics

    10:30 ~ 12:10 · 100 min · 30 Qs

    Includes 30% short-answer questions

  5. Lunch · 12:10 ~ 13:00 (50 min)
  6. Period 3English

    13:10 ~ 14:20 · 70 min · 45 Qs

    Includes 17 listening questions (within 25 min from 13:10)

  7. Break · 14:20 ~ 14:40 (20 min)
  8. Period 4Korean History, Inquiry (Social Studies · Science · Vocational)

    14:50 ~ 16:37 · 107 min

    • Korean History

      14:50 ~ 15:20 · 30 min · 20 Qs

      Required section

    • Korean History papers collected · Inquiry papers handed out

      15:20 ~ 15:35 · 15 min

      15 minutes to collect and hand out papers (examinees not taking Inquiry move to a waiting room)

    • Inquiry exam: for 2-subject takers

      15:35 ~ 16:05 · 30 min · 20 Qs

      Take subjects in the order listed on your application · 2 minutes per subject to collect question papers

    • Finished subject's question paper collected

      16:05 ~ 16:07 · 2 min

    • Inquiry exam: for 1- or 2-subject takers

      16:07 ~ 16:37 · 30 min · 20 Qs

  9. Break · 16:37 ~ 16:55 (18 min)
  10. Period 5Second Foreign Language / Chinese Characters

    17:05 ~ 17:45 · 40 min · 30 Qs

    No listening test

On exam day, every examinee must be in their assigned exam room or waiting area by 08:10, and for periods 2–5, at least 10 minutes before the period starts.

Based on KICE's official Suneung exam timetable · View on the CSAT website (Korean)

Period 4 runs Korean History and Inquiry back to back as one period (14:50–16:37, 107 min). After Korean History there are 15 minutes to swap papers; after the first Inquiry subject (15:35–16:05), papers are collected for 2 minutes before the second subject (16:07–16:37).

Examinees with test accommodations follow a different timetable. Check the guidelines separately.

⏰ Period-by-period Suneung fortune

How the energy flows through each exam period, plus one condition habit per period. Period 1 is free.

Break routines between periods

Breaks last about 20 minutes. Use them to reset for the next period rather than checking your answers.

  • After period 1 (10:00–10:20): don't replay Korean answers. A sip of water and a light stretch to clear your head.
  • Lunch (12:10–13:00): eat your usual lunch slowly. Too full and you may get sleepy in period 3.
  • After period 3 (14:20–14:40): use the restroom now — period 4 runs Korean History and Inquiry back to back.
  • After period 4 (16:37–16:55): if you take a second foreign language or Classical Chinese, this is the last stretch. A piece of chocolate helps.

Lifting your condition period by period

  • Period 1 Korean (08:40–10:00): the tensest time of day. Breathe out slowly three times and read the first paragraph carefully.
  • Period 2 Math (10:30–12:10): the longest at 100 minutes. Decide in advance to mark hard problems and come back later.
  • Period 3 English (13:10–14:20): starts with listening. After lunch, sit up straight and wake your ears first.
  • Period 4 Korean History & Inquiry (14:50–16:37): papers are collected and handed out between subjects. Let each one go and focus on the next.
  • Period 5 Second Language / Classical Chinese (17:05–17:45): only for those who chose it. Just 40 more minutes.

What to bring on exam day

Based on KICE's 2027 CSAT Implementation Guidelines. Additional banned and allowed items will be announced in October 2026, so please check again.

  • Must bring: admission ticket and a photo ID (resident card, driver's license, passport, youth ID, or a student ID with photo and principal's seal). Mobile IDs are electronic devices and can't be used.
  • Handed out in the room: a black computer-scoring pen and a mechanical pencil (black, 0.5mm).
  • You may bring: black computer-scoring pen, black pencil, white correction tape, eraser, pencil lead (black, 0.5mm). No other writing tools.
  • Watch: analog only, with hour and minute (second) hands. No payment, communication (incl. Bluetooth) or LCD/LED display.
  • Banned: phones, smartwatches, smart glasses, tablets, earphones, e-dictionaries, e-cigarettes, power banks — anything with communication, payment, electronic displays, or rechargeable.
  • Lunch: meals aren't provided, so pack a lunch and water.

Night-before checklist

  • Pre-exam briefing: held the day before. Pick up your admission ticket and check the test site (you can't enter the exam building).
  • Pack your bag: ticket, ID, analog watch and lunch in one place the night before.
  • Sleep: rather than studying something new, go to bed early to match your exam-day wake-up time.
  • Morning: check-in closes at 8:10 a.m. Leave early in case of traffic.

Sources

Suneung timetable & items FAQ

Q. What time does period 1 start?
Period 1 Korean runs 8:40–10:00 a.m. You must be in the exam room by 8:10 a.m.
Q. When is period 4 Inquiry?
Period 4 starts at 14:50 with Korean History (30 min). Papers are swapped for 15 minutes from 15:20, then the first Inquiry subject runs 15:35–16:05 and the second 16:07–16:37. Taking two Inquiry subjects, you finish at 16:37.
Q. Do I need to bring a pencil and computer-scoring pen?
Both a black computer-scoring pen and a mechanical pencil are handed out. You may bring your own pen, but use the pencil provided.
Q. What if I bring my phone?
Electronic devices are banned. If you brought one, hand it to the proctor before period 1 — otherwise it counts as misconduct.
Q. What is the period-by-period fortune?
A just-for-fun reading of each exam period's energy and condition habits from the student's birthday. Period 1 is free.