The fact is that our country’s history is falling in status in terms of education at present. Furthermore, the countries surrounding our nation distort their history textbooks such that they are implementing wrong education for their students by teaching falsehoods countermanding the truths recorded in history. To correct this distortion of history, it is very important that the status of Korean history be established correctly. Therefore, the National Institute of Korean History introduced the Korean History Test on November 25, 2006 and is suggesting the right direction of history education at present. This effort can give people a balanced sense of history and deepen their interest in Korean history.

Students at Kyonggi University went to another region or another school to take the 46th Korean History Test on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Unfortunately, students had a lot of discomfort when taking the Korean history exam due to time and space constraints. In order to address the inconveniences that keep on arising in 2020 related to the exam, the With Us Student Council asserted a campaign pledge to hold the Korean History Test on campus at Kyonggi University. After the With Us Student Council was elected, the student council communicated consistently with the National Compilation Committee and the Korea Productivity Center in order to got permission to hold the Korean History Test at Kyonggi University. In the end, the student council was approved by the organizations. After receiving the permit, the With Us Student Council selected a place for students to take the Korean History Test with the assistance of the Facility Management Team and the department in charge, and them prepared a schedule for the introduction of the Korean History Test at Kyonggi University. The With Us Student Council implemented a plan to fulfill its election pledge by holding the 47th Korean History Test on May 23, 2020 at Kyonggi University. The fact that the student council secured space to implement the Korean History Test on campus is a convenience for students in that it can reduce the cost and time for students taking the Korean History Exam, and allows them to take the national exam in a familiar school space.

The Korean History Test is a test to measure basic historical knowledge that citizens should have as the nation’s people and a way to build a national consensus about Korean history. The 47th Korean History Test, which was held on May 23, 2020, had different evaluation criteria than the 46th test. The type of test, the grade criteria, the passing grade and the number of questions were changed. Previously, the test had been divided into three categories: advanced, intermediate and elementary. However, there were only two types of tests; “deepening” and “basic,” for the 47th test. With regard to grade criteria, previously the advanced level was divided into grades 1 and 2, the intermediate level was divided into grade 3 and grade 4, the elementary was divided into grades 5 and 6. The 47th test replaced grades 1, 2 and 3 with the deepening level, and grades 4, 5 and 6 with the basic level. In terms of the passing grade, the score criteria in the revised test increased the passing ratios for grades 1, 2 and 4. The other grades had the same or lower rates. Next, the number of questions was the same for the “deepening” test as the previous grades 1, 2, and 3. However, the number of questions for the basic test was increased from 40 questions previously to 50 questions at present, and those questions all had four distracters.

Now, the Pharos would like to introduce students at Kyonggi University to various ways to utilize Korean History Test certificates. The license for the Korean History Test can be used as follows in public-related jobs.

- Qualify those who pass Grade 2 or higher of the Korean history qualification exam for the 5th grade national civil service personnel recruitment test and the selection of diplomatic candidates by the Ministry of Personnel Management.

- Those who pass Grade 3 or higher in the Korean history qualification exam will be eligible for the teacher appointment exam.

- Add bonus points to the career recruitment examination for experienced personnel.

- Applicants can replace the national history subjects with the Korean History Proficiency Test in the open competition recruitment test for military officials.

- Applicants can replace the Korean history subjects from the state and local government officials’ level 7 open competitive examination with the Korean history qualification exam.

In addition to the above benefits, some public and private companies, including civil service organizations consider Korean history certificates when recruiting or promoting employees. Also, Kyonggi University provided a three hundred thousand won scholarship and 50 KGU+ points, for a Grade 1 certificate in the previous Korean history test. However, receiving scholarships and KGU+ points is not possible for previous certificates because they are limited to those obtained during school years.

To increase interest in Korean history, both individual and social efforts are required. Society must present clear direction so that individuals can learn correct historical knowledge and develop a historical perception that accords with reality, while individuals must constantly strive to acquire broad and accurate knowledge. Knowing Korean history well not only emphasizes the importance of our nation’s history but also is directly related to the country’s status. Through these Korean history tests, students will become aware of the inherent intentions of the Korean History Test and the importance of our nation’s history. The Pharos recommends that students of Kyonggi University actively utilize the opportunity to take the Korean history exam on campus.

74th Cub Reporter•GONG JINYOUNG •wlsdud03520@naver.com

74th Cub Reporter•KIM GANGTAEK•rkdxor753@naver.com