Korea has a concept called “yeol-gong” short for “yeolsimhi khonbuhada” which means “to study hard”. It is not just a phrase it is a lifestyle. Korean students maintain a strict routine for their study and they also used time-blocking app and planning out weekly goals. And they also avoid social media distraction during exam period. And not only top students follow this all students follow these strict rules. It is basically their study culture. And they are active and even it does not feel toxic in the way people might expect. Sometimes it might be exhausting for students but it also makes them a very active student.
Even after class or lecture students are actively focus on their study in library it shows their motivation and excitement for their study and their future. even we all things power nap means a proper 1-hour nap but Korean students they took 15-to-20-minute nap on study table. Even some of them carry coffee or other staffs on library which will not distract them.
Everyone might think that they studied in this way in exam time but no they prefer to prepare themselves for exam ahead. And it is good sign for their life and country because education is part of development. Even Korean academic grading rules are quite different. And it depends on the type of school you are involved. In university, the grade runs upon a letter-type grade. The letter grade can add up to different numbers from 0.0 to 4.5. and the letter includes A+. A. A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F. and the numerical grades are for basically science and math programs.
| Letter Grade | Numerical Grade | Percentage Range |
| A+ | 4.5 | 96-100% |
| A | 4.0 | 90-95% |
| A- | 3.7 | 86-89% |
| B+ | 3.3 | 83-85% |
| B | 3.0 | 80-82% |
| B- | 2.7 | 77-79% |
| C+ | 2.3 | 74-76% |
| C | 2.0 | 70-73% |
| C- | 1.7 | 67-69% |
| D+ | 1.3 | 64-66% |
| D | 1.0 | 60-63% |
| D- | 0.7 | 57-59% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 57% |
This is basically their grading scale and rules. It includes exam, projects, assignments and class participations. Each component has a particular value and it may be depends on the program. even there are some universities in korea which may only utilize a seven-point scale (A, B, C, D, and F) as plus and minus grades are not standard. And GPA is very important for applying scholarships, graduate program and jobs.
And during exam time they prefer to study for long hour often 10 to 16+ hours daily for top universities especially for the Suneung test. Even their nation even focusses for their exam success. Even though those exam times flights also delay for the listening test.
Written by: Ranu Sarkar
About the author: My name Is Ranu Sarkar and I am from West Bengal, India. I am currently a college student and I am studying computer science, Environmental science and Geography. I am learning Korean from King Sejong Institute and I am very much interest about increasing my knowledge in Korean culture, Korean environment and their tradition. And my passion is writing and I feel happy while knowing many different things. And as a I result I am writing this article.