Korean Dictionary
How to say "University Entrance Exam" in Korean
“University Entrance Exam” in Korean is 수능 (pronounced "suneung").
수능
suneung
Usage & Context
The standardized test for university admission in Korea. The Suneung is taken by all high school seniors. It is one of the most important exams in Korean education.
Example Sentence
수능을 준비하고 있다.
I am preparing for the university entrance exam.
How to use 수능 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “University Entrance Exam” is 수능, romanized as suneung.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 수능.
Pronunciation Guide
For '수' (su), it sounds like 'soo' (rhymes with 'too'). For '능' (neung), it sounds like 'nung' (rhymes with 'sung'). Put it together: 'Soo-nung'.
More Example Sentences
A news report or general knowledge about the special measures taken on Suneung day.
수능 날에는 교통 통제가 이루어져요.
On Suneung day, traffic control is implemented.
A common encouraging phrase used to wish good luck to Suneung test-takers.
수능 대박 나세요!
Hope you hit the jackpot on Suneung!
Explaining the critical importance of Suneung scores for university admissions.
수능 점수에 따라 갈 수 있는 대학이 달라져요.
The university you can go to changes depending on your Suneung score.
Cultural Context
The '수능' (Suneung), officially the College Scholastic Ability Test, is arguably the most pivotal exam in a Korean student's life. This single-day, high-stakes test largely determines university admission, which in turn significantly impacts career prospects and social standing. The entire nation often rallies around students on Suneung day, with traffic restrictions, quiet zones near test centers, and parents praying for success. It's a profound cultural phenomenon frequently depicted in K-dramas and news segments.
Editorial note
We review entries like 수능 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
수능을 보다
to take the Suneung
수능 대박
Suneung jackpot (wish for great success)
수능 준비
Suneung preparation
Related Expressions
입시
ipsi
university entrance examination (general term)
고3
go-sam
high school senior (the year students typically take Suneung)
재수생
jaesusaeng
student retaking Suneung (after failing to get into desired university)
정시
jeongsi
regular admission (based primarily on Suneung scores)
More School Life Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice University Entrance Exam and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
