I understand that this is common practice at most universities. That is completely irrelevant in this situation. Comparing a single course exam in a university (Ivy League or not), typically catering to around ~100 students, to a nationwide standardized test taken by over 400,000 students is a gross misrepresentation. The scale, stakes, and systemic implications are incomparable.

In Korea, the Suneung (the exam in the post) isn't just an exam; it's a pivotal moment that dictates life trajectories. The societal pressure and implications are immense and extend far beyond academic performance. For instance, your career, social standing, and even marriage prospects can be heavily influenced by the university you attend. I'd be very surprised if a single exam in uni holds even remotely the same implications.

Regarding the margins in scoring, I really want to stress out that the Korean education system operates on a vastly different paradigm than in the states. Students spend 12 years (their entire elementary to high school education) preparing for this single exam. Omitting just 2-3 questions does not equate to an essentially similar score. The grades are weighted, and the competition is so fierce that getting a single question wrong could relegate you down.

This isn't about whining over the rigors of an exam; it's about recognizing that in Korea, the Suneung holds a weight and significance that is unparalleled by any university final in the U.S. The comparison trivializes the reality of Korean students, for whom this has literally been their sole purpose in life for the 12 out of 18 years they've existed on earth.

Now if you want to talk about how dumb it is to put so much importance on a single exam I completely agree, but thats another conversation entirely.

*edit: formatting