The grueling College Scholastic Ability test last eight hours.

It's seen as a life defining exam for high school seniors to secure admission to a prestigious university and possibly set them on the path to the scarce few corporate jobs at South Korea's big companies like Samsung.

But preparing for this year's test proved even more stressful than usual, with the coronavirus forcing many students to stop attending private lessons and cram schools.

And the recent rise in infections forced authorities to double the number of exam venues to allow for social distancing conduct temperature checks at testing sites and separate desks using plastic screens.

19 year old John Youngjun was one of this year's test takers.

Since I'm sitting for this exam for a second time, I think taking the test is my first priority.

Even though there's a risk of infection, I just want to finish the test.

That's all I'm thinking about.

Even some 30 students who have tested positive for Cove in 19 took the test at designated hospitals while special venues were set up for another 400 plus Students in self quarantine test proctors for the confirmed and suspected cases were required to wear protective equipment, collect exam papers and plastic bags and wipe them down before handing over to staff outside.

South Korea has tightened its social distancing curbs in recent weeks as the country's number of daily coronavirus cases hovers around 500 a day Ah, level not seen since March.